Behind the Lens: The Eyes of UKHC

Hardcore in the UK has always been about  and should be about community, loud rooms, unexplainable energy. But while the bands play and the crowd plays their part, there’s a quiet group of people making sure it’s all remembered. Camera in hand, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with everyone else, they’re the ones capturing the moments of significance that can live on forever in a new format. 

Photography has always been one of the most important ways the hardcore scene documents itself.  Photographs tell the story of who was there, what it felt like, and why it mattered from 'behind the lens'.

“Behind the Lens” looks at some of the photographers who’ve made it part of their mission to show UKHC from the inside not as outsiders looking in, but as part of the culture they’re preserving.

INTERVIEW WITH GREG HALL @TOFEELHEALED 
@tofeelhealed insta 

Q1: What was the moment you knew that photography/videography had really became your lane and is there anything in particular that inspired you to start in the beginning?

There’s been a lot of reassuring moments while pursing photography and videography where it’s felt like something I was meant to do as much as my imposter syndrome tells me otherwise but to summarise it; the trust bands & artists, labels and fests have put in me to produce something that they would use to represent them, their art or event has always been the ultimate form of reassurance that this is my lane.

Anyone can pick up a camera and take a photo or film clips but for people to seek out your art or it’s style or form and allow to it to be a positive part of their image hits me every time in the best way.

I originally started off making short form video interviews talking about veganism and straight edge culture and as I got more confident in my ability, I asked to help film a show my friends were playing and that was 6 years ago. I made the pivot to photography when I was planning on going to go on tour with mortality rate and make a tour documentary of their first time in Europe and they said, “cool you can take photos too” and I had no idea how to take photos so essentially I had to figure out how to in the run-up to the tour. The pandemic put an end to the tour before it even began, and I didn’t want to waste the time I invested into learning how to take photos, so I started taking photos at the shows I was filming.

I’d watch how other photographers carried themselves while shooting to work out how to approach different sets, and how they wouldn’t impede dancers and moshers, it was mesmerising. I was always drawn to style of the early 90s H8000 photographers Hans Verbeke and Onno Hesselink. No fuss, no frills, no gimmicks. Just the ability to capture such raw emotion in a simple format that stylised an iconic era of hardcore and metalcore had a profound effect on me.

Q2: What would you say is the most important thing that contributes to preserving hardcore overall as a feeling and community?

The most important thing? The absence of ego and the presence of respect and clear communication. Treating everyone with respect whether they put on iconic shows over a decade ago or are at their first hardcore show and learning how to dance is vital to keeping a community grounded. We’re all part of this community together and treating people differently because they just wanna dance and hang out with their friends rather than play games or climb the social ladder is counterproductive.

(Photo by Greg Hall @tofeelhealed)

In 2023 Raw Brigade played a show in Glasgow with Hellbound, Riot Conduct and Bleaks and it was the same night The Story So Far were meant to play the Hydro with Blink-182. I remember standing on a stack of chair by the fire exit taking photos of each band when there were whispers of TSSF playing a secret set since they were in town for their show that got rescheduled. People online were saying it wasn’t going to happen while others were making their way to the venue.

The whispers were true; they played two tracks to an already wild crowd and being able to capture moments of people singing inches from a band they only ever see with a barrier nowadays was significant because it wasn’t a right place right time moment. It was a go to shows and support your scene moment because you’ll never know what you might miss out on by staying at home.

INTERVIEW WITH @ESSEXHARDCOREZINE

@essexhardcorezine

Q1 :Whats the main thing you think that Essex as a scene offers to the rest of the UK ?

I think we have a lot of sick bands to offer to the scene. All ranging from different sounds. Special Move, Splitknuckle, Raiden, Pointdown, Deathskulls, Mob handed, The Burial Code… Just to name a few. You could say it’s all mostly on the heavier side but we got the variety here. 

Q2: Whats the best place that hardcore has taken you? this could be a personal journey or a physical place you could travel to.

I mean, hardcore has taken me all over the UK for shows, but I’ll tell you the first time I travelled up to Glasgow. Raiden and Splitknuckle were doing a UK tour in 2019 so I thought I’d make the trip up to Scotland for that one show because… why not! Looking back at the lineup and it was well and truly stacked. 2 bands from Essex and then you had 3 bands from Glasgow, those being Demonstration of Power (First show), Hellbound (First Show) and Nothin But Enemies (First show). Mad to think where all these bands are now, doing big things, it’s so cool to see! I travelled up there via train which… wasn’t the best journey. I can’t really say I enjoy sitting on a train for 4 hours plus with no window… just staring at the back of a seat… oh well, you gotta do what you gotta do. Made it up there for the show, I missed NBE’s set because I was running late, but the show was crazy! If you’re ever tempted to go to a show but it’s not exactly local, just go! You’ll be glad you did.

(Photo by @essexhardcorezine)

I’ve picked this photo to keep on the theme of Essex Hardcore. This photo was taken at Splitknuckle’s “Breathing Through The Wound” record release show. This band have come such a long way from the days I saw them at Bart’s Bar (RIP) in Southend around 2014. Fast forward to 2024 and they’ve sold out The Dome Downstairs. There was a massive line outside the venue, which is usually unheard of for a UKHC band, it honestly felt like I was lining up to go and see some huge metal band or something haha. One of the best shows I’ve been to hands down, proud of the team. Essex Hardcore.

INTERVIEW WITH ASH @BASHXPHOTOGRAPHY

@bashxphotography

Q1 : Best band/event you've ever shot? Doesn't have to be a big band but can be best for a personal reason.

Best event I’ve shot has got to be Aggro Fest in Kettering. I’m biased but seeing it start out as a last minute skate park gig to commemorate our good friend Aaron Francis for it to then grow into an all-day event that people from all over attend, all whilst still following that DIY ethos Aaron and many of the rest of us from the KTHC & LCHC scene loved too, it’s heartwarming to see so many people come together for that 1 day in such a small town that doesn’t tend to have a whole lot happen, especially when it comes to underground music. 

Q2: How important do you feel documentation is to grassroots hardcore, and what are the things that drive you to contribute in this way?

A lot of people don’t realise how important documenting their local scene is, we all started somewhere whether that’s in a dive bar, a working men’s club or even a basement (if you know, you know), why wouldn’t you want to remember that? I’ve been part of the Leicester scene since 2015, there’s so many photos and videos that have been lost from that era and that’s exactly what inspired me to start documenting the scene myself although I only started out by taking a handful photos at gigs on a £20 camera I bought off of eBay purely as mementos, which to me was just as important; I had no intention of turning into something like it has but I’m grateful for it, not only am I creating something for myself but also for the bands that come through, the promoters and even the gig-goers.

(Photo by @bashxphotography)

Bore – Feral (2025) REVIEW BY @JDPROSHO

Bore – Feral (2025) 

Long Island Hardcore Hybrids unleash Album of The Year contender that feels like the World’s Final Scream

Long Island, NY’s Bore release their debut full-length Feral, out now via Silent Pendulum Records into the world at a time when this brand of ferocious and emotional honesty is most needed. These are indeed desperate times and we need loud, unashamed voices calling out how fucked up things are around us to help navigate these hellish shoals.

Feral, produced by Adam Cichocki at Timber Studios, is the sound of a band that’s been sharpening its teeth since 2018 blending hardcore punk, mathcore precision, and metal riffs so heavy they could crack concrete. It’s not just aggressive—it’s calculated violence.

The album’s title isn’t metaphorical. It’s a diagnosis. Bore sees the world as primal, animalistic, and ferocious—and Feral is their sonic autopsy. Tracks like “Hopeless Poet” and “Deadbed” don’t just rage; they reflect. There’s no overt political messaging here, but the apathy, the rot, the slow collapse of belief systems? It’s all there, snarling beneath the surface.

Vocals emanating from Branden Gallagher are less sung and more exorcised. Guitarist Danny Kopij and bassist Sid Valiquette weave riffs that shatter your core, while drummer Matt McAteer drives it all with the subtlety of a brick.

It’s short, brutal, and leaves you feeling like you’ve survived something. Feral doesn’t ask for your attention—it grabs it by the throat and doesn’t let go. In a world that’s gone feral, Bore might just be the soundtrack we deserve.

Written by @jdprosho

UNIT E RECS – FREE ENTRY CHARITY SHOW , PROZPEKT, NO KNOWN WEAKNESSES, LIGHTS OUT, COMBAT EVOLVED.

Sunday 26th October 2025 hometown heroes Prozpekt descended on Café Etch for the last show of their weekend run with  Lights Out and Combat Evolved. This show also marked the first show by Unit E Records, the new iteration of what was CFS Collective, a new Teesside based label from Prozpekt’s own Cal Leach. 

 For this occasion, the bands played a free show in aid of the mental health charity MIND, for whom they raised £123. Mental health is obviously an issue that is close to the hearts of all the bands and one we surely all have experience with. Community and a good morale compass are such a big part of hardcore and it’s inspiring to see bands and promoters step up and set a good example for the rest of us. 

Combat Evolved from the Wirral opened the show; bringing death metal with heavy breakdowns and brutal vocals. They were such a fun band to watch, they wear their influences on their sleeves in the form of Halo t-shirts and clearly enjoy what they do, whether that’s on stage or dancing in the crowd for the rest of the night.  

Lights Out from Glasgow came next, this wasn’t their first time in the Boro and it really showed. They were heavy and aggressive, the moshers wasted no time getting moving.  

Next came the GHC veterans in No Known Weakness. Although the members of the band have played in several bands before, such as By My Hands and Burning Scars of Betrayal, this was their first time playing Middlesbrough. Definitely worth the wait in my opinion, highlight of the night for me, give their demo a listen.  

Prozpekt ended the night with flair, playing two new songs from their upcoming album which represent a slight change in style with some more melodic elements inspired by bands such as Trapped Under Ice. For me, Prozpekt are a band that keep getting better and better and I can’t wait to hear what they bring to their new material. 

The whole night was great fun; it was clear that all the bands are good mates which really gave it a good atmosphere. Also, it being for a good cause made it that much more special and all those involved should be proud.  Prozpekt arplayed their second free show within a week at Play on Saturday the 1st of November alongside Negative Frame and more in support of Fareshare North East. These guys along with Unit-E Recs have been working super hard for the community and local hardcore of late and deserve some serious flowers for their efforts.  

Show review by Charlie Brown, @therealcharliebrown_

GOING OFF - KILL LIST II (2025) REVIEW BY @JDPROSHO

Going Off – Kill List II (2025)

Manchester’s Beatdown Bruisers find their tender yet visceral greatness to round off Spooky Season.

Manchester’s Going Off have never been ones to play nice. Their 2024 record Die Fast was a feral, teeth-bared sprint through hardcore punk’s nastiest alleyways. But Kill List II, clocking in at a lean 11 minutes, is something else entirely: a snarling, emotionally raw evolution that doesn’t just punch—it bruises, bleeds, and occasionally, hugs.

From the first chug of guitar, it’s clear the band haven’t lost their taste for beatdown brutality. But there’s a new texture, a kind of wounded clarity that cuts through the distortion. Vocalist Huxley, known for his guttural bark, now sounds like he’s screaming from the edge of a breakdown rather than just the pit. It’s still confrontational, still visceral—but there’s vulnerability in the venom. A middle finger, sure, but this time with a more polished nail.

Tracks like “Soft Target” and “Dead Air” showcase this duality best: the riffs are pure concrete, but the lyrics hint at something deeper—regret, reflection, even tenderness. It’s hardcore with a heart, and it hits harder because of it.

The band’s cheeky punk ethos hasn’t vanished either. There are still moments of sardonic humour and chaotic energy, but they’re tempered by a sense of purpose. Kill List II feels like a band growing up without growing soft—a rare feat in a genre that often equates maturity with compromise.

Released DIY, the album is a testament to Going Off’s commitment to doing things their way. It’s short, sharp, and emotionally devastating. Hardcore punk rarely sounds this human.

For fans of: Bareknuckle, Slow Burn

Written by @jdprosho