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Unify Heavy Music Gathering 2022 – The Amity Affliction

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UNIFY
OFF THE RECORD
@ Odeon Theatre, Hobart
1st June, 2023
(Live Review)

Review by Kayla Hamilton

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On the first night of Winter in Hobart you would not have expected it to get so hot. The heat brought to the stage of the Odeon Theatre by the bands on the Hobart leg of UNIFY’s OFF THE RECORD event was nuclear. Punters piled in and waited on bated breath for one of the wildest shows this reviewer has ever witnessed.

After a stirring ‘Welcome to Country’, local act Offset Vision opened the event with their fun throwback brand of pop-punk that dabbles on the edge of post-hardcore. They may not have been the heaviest band on the bill, but they approached the show with an energy that helped set the tone for the entire night. In a short but sweet set, Offset Vision gave us a taste of their new tracks as well as the ones that are ‘popular on Spotify.’ Their energy was infectious, and it was hard to not bounce and smile along.

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REDHOOK

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If Offset Vision set the tone, then RedHook elevated the vibes. The Sydney rockers are a band you simply must bear witness to. With strong concepts present throughout their set, turning up the theatrics to further enhance an already strong set, RedHook took a short time frame and turned it into a production. Lead singer Emmy Mack is an absolute star, but she does not steal the show from the rest of the band. Smashing onto the stage with their track Postcard XO and their flight-themed intro, the reception they got was massive. The RedHook fans were loud and as their set went on, they slowly won over those who may not have been fans walking in.

Ripping through tracks from their recent release, songs like Jabberwocky and Off Your Head, the band’s energy was relentless. Switching costumes and themes, it was a whirlwind of heavy rock, fake blood and screaming fans. Finishing off the set with Bad Decisions, RedHook proved why they are one of the most exciting bands coming out of the Australian alternative music scene.

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OCEAN GROVE

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The party did not end with RedHook, in fact, it was just getting started. By the time Ocean Grove joined in, the crowd was ravenous. Kicking off their set with JUNKIE$, the fusion “Oddworld Music” trio from Melbourne is one of the tightest bands on the scene. The vibes when Ocean Grove hit the stage are just immaculate and the Tassie crowd were soaking in every second. The Odeon Theatre descended into chaos, but one that was fun and free. By the time they hit their third track SEX DOPE GOLD, it was hard not to lose yourself in the music. 

Ocean Grove has such a unique sound and it translates well amongst a range of heavy music fans. Everybody from the pop-punk to metalcore kids was getting down. They are heavy, fun and refreshing. Ending their set with the anthemic SUNNY the fans were not only singing along, but you could see security getting visibly worried. Like all well-run heavy music shows though, the crowd looked out for each other, and Ocean Grove ended their 5th Unify appearance on an absolute high.

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IN HEARTS WAKE

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Following Ocean Grove was going to be a task, but it was one In Hearts Wake was up for. Switching gears from the full party vibe, the Byron Bay metalcore icons absolutely thundered into the theatre. Opening with the crushing Force of Life, the pit opened almost instantly. From numerous walls of death, circle pits and absolute feral heaviness, In Hearts Wake was determined to make sure to make it up to the Hobart crowd for missing them on their recent tour. It got so wild in the pit, during their second track Departure you could actually hear the thunder of the feet from the circle pit over the music. 

Playing a lot of songs of Divination, one of the highlights of always is the ‘Capture the Flag’ game during Survival, where the crowd transports a flag down from the merch desk to the stage where somebody is always hitting the stage dressed as Master Chief from Halo. Inertia always goes down a treat and having Craig Wilkinson from RedHook feature with a saxophone solo was just icing on the cake. By the time they finished their set with Refuge, there was not a single person in the room that was not absolutely pumped. 

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ALPHA WOLF

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There was barely a moment for the Hobart crowd to breathe, as they waited with incredible anticipation for the headliners Alpha Wolf to take the stage. With the band originally coming from Tasmania, the homecoming was nothing short of epic. Warming up the crowd with a sing-along to Tenacious D’s Tribute, as the lights dim the ruckus already started. 60cm of Steel was the first track of the set and the venue exploded. Showing love through violence and chaos, it was truly a reception worthy of a band like Alpha Wolf.

The rapport between the band and the audience was phenomenal. Bodies were flying. Items of clothing discarded. An insatiable need to go your absolute hardest. Alpha Wolf proved once again why they are absolutely dominating the metalcore scene locally and abroad. More than just heavy songs, the band showed their diversity with their set playing Bleed For You to a very receptive crowd. One cannot go without mentioning the sheer insanity that was also the Sub-Zero wall of death. After so many viral clips, it was incredible to see it once again in the flesh.

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ALPHA WOLF

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Of course, Akudama was saved to the finale. Before they even started the song, a circle pit was forming. People thought they knew what was coming but when the song started and a multitude of giant black and orange balloons rained down on the crowd, along with members of Offset Vision, the chaotic scene turned absolutely unhinged. The bodies dropped and on this cold Thursday night, the Tassie punters put their heart and soul into showing their love for this homegrown band.

Unify OFF THE RECORD when announced was met with a lot of criticism but judging by the absolute immaculate vibes at the Hobart leg, words need to be eaten. It was a night of not just incredible music, but a celebration of tolerance and togetherness. Having Auslan interpreters onstage, who need their own shout-out as they were incredible, along with an absolutely moving ‘Welcome to Country’– it truly felt like a show for everybody. The staff at The Odeon Theatre were also friendly, professional and top-notch- something that does not always happen at shows. This was definitely one for the books.

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Follow UNIFY GATHERING
Website – Instagram – Facebook
Twitter – Tik Tok – YouTube

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Press Release 17th May 2023 (below) HERE

“UNIFY OFF THE RECORD 2023”
releases artist playing
and signing timetables
plus announce
SUPPORT ACT panels

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AMNPLIFY – DB