Unify The Heavy Gathering is an annual Metalcore/hardcore/pop punk music festival. This year it was held in January in Melbourne, Victoria at Tarwin Lower. In its second year, the festival has hosted numerous Australian bands like Northlane, The Amity Affliction and In Hearts Wake. This year’s line up was pretty impressive.

Headlined by Parkway Drive, Tonight Alive and In Hearts Wake, this festival is a must for music goers just like me who took time off from my busy life in Singapore to fly Down Under to experience it. This two-day event saw festival goers camping overnight; which is allowed by the way. Thanks to music, friendship is forged during this event. I was lucky enough to be a part of this experience.

Hands Like Houses — Credits: Kane Hibbard

On the first day of the festival, a total of 13 bands performed with Harbours kicking off the afternoon. Slowly, you were able to see the people who “moshed”, covered in dust due to the sand that covered the whole arena. However , that did not stopped them from moshing. From a hot sunny day, it went down to a very chilly 14 degrees celcius.

Parkway Drive — Credits: Neal Walters

All 13 bands on Day 1 was amazing. Giving their all from the start to finish, even the other bands came out to support each other as the days go on. Both Hands Like Houses and Parkway Drive were outstanding, but if I were to pick one, Parkway Drive killed it. Giving all they got and showing why they were the headliner for the festival.

In Hearts Wake — Credits: Kane Hibbard

Day 2 consisted of mostly pop-punk bands such State Champ and Neck Deep. Only one hardcore band was in the lineup – The Weight Of Silence. Day 2 bands were there for a reason. With little success with last year day 2 event, unify decided to put more bands on Day 2 with Neck Deep and State Champ headlining the day 2. And it was an awesome idea. Mostly consist of Punk Rock, Day 2 was for the punk kids who stayed till the end. And of course Neck Deep was the band that really stood out for me!

Neck Deep — Credits: Music Feeds Australia

Personally, I felt that Unify 2016 was a success and I am glad to witness it. With the recent major music festival in Australia getting cut, UNFD (Unified) has released a statement assuring that Unify is here to stay. Congratulations UNFD and Unify on a successful Unify 2016 and hope to see you next year!