Live Review: Annisokay, Exist Immortal, Griever & The Sun Never Set - O2 Islington Academy, 02/03/2017

The Sun Never Set open the night to a relatively small crowd. The London five-piece seems to be a tight-knit group and are seemingly unfazed by the sparse audience. They play a short set that encourages at least some movement from the crowd – the band has only a few songs on their 2014 eponymous EP. Guitarist Tom descends from the stage to play amongst the crowd – a novelty that would have been better received with a greater number of people in attendance.



Post-metal vibes meet elements of Melodic Hardcore – an interesting mix that, given the right niche, could be brilliant; it’s just a case of finding the right crowd.

Griever, on the other hand have already found a niche and run with it. Heralding from Bournemouth the Metalcore band get a far warmer welcome from the crowd having already been established in the scene for a little while now. Calling for circle pits in the first song, singer David is packed with energy and receives plenty of the same from the crowd. As the second support their lighting rig is more hectic and complements the tracks they play well – more on the lighting later though – all in all Griever get the response they deserve and set the crowd up for the penultimate act.



Exist Immortal: where to start? With what feels like the largest crowd of the night so far – the London Metalers bring the house to a hubbub of flailing arms and legs. Fusing aspects of proggy-djent with metalcore, the band are simply a joy to watch. Guitarist Kurt creates drafts of wind with his headbanging and stand-in Michael plays to the photographers like a true entertainer (Thank you again…!). Singer Meyrick has a staggering command over his voice, from the higher cleans to the growling lows, the band really blow me away. Though epileptics beware, the strobes that the band employ are dazzling to say the least. In a larger venue I wouldn’t complain as much but as a photographer: Nightmare. Regardless, their set gets the crowd moshing and circle pits form in the small room of the 02 Islington.



Now for the only non-local band of the night: the headliner, Annisokay. All the way from Germany, the Metalcore band are similar in sound to many an Amity Affliction or In Hearts Wake. Needless to say, their music is their own and the die-hard members of the crowd scream back the lyrics to singers Dave and Chris with wild abandon. Bringing the crowd to their knees, yes – literally, gives the crowd renewed passion and the audience dances, pushes and mosh its way through a solid and well rounded set. A new listen for me that I’m very happy to have come across and been able to experience in their 4-day stint of the UK



Words and Photography by Rhys Haberfield