Starved kick-off proceedings tonight, and are determined to blow away any cobwebs the crowd might have knocking about. They get the punters awake, aware and engaged – which is exactly what you want from an opening act. If you're a fan of Creak or Atari Teenage Riot, then Starved's sound and style will be right up your alley. They have a heavy dose of ten56 thrown in for good measure (as do all the bands this evening).

The band has a full setup on display, with drums, guitar, bass, laptop, and vocals all being put through their paces. The laptop is a key element in their performance, providing loads of drum and bass, jungle, and The Prodigy vibes to the mix. Equally, the technicality on the bass is particularly impressive, and the vocals are shouty and high-pitched, more in the hardcore style than guttural growling. They play with incredible energy and passion, and the crowd cannot get enough.

Unfortunately, the power (potentially the limiter) can't keep up with their intensity, causing it to cut out mid-set. This means they have to skip through the set on the laptop, which is a bit of a nightmare. But, after a short delay, they are back and better than ever. Despite the technical hiccup, Starved deliver a powerful and memorable performance. If you're a fan of heavy, electronic-tinged noise-metal, then this band is a must-see.

The Human Veil seem to always put on an incredible show. Their professionality is only matched by their engaging tunes and accessible yet brutal tech-metal. There’s a spooky element to their sound, reminiscent of Thornhill, but fans of Betraying the Martyrs in particular need to check this Manchester band out asap.

Once again ten56 seem to lend an influence, and vocalist Matt Wall seems to directly channel his inner Aaron Matts to deliver some seriously brutal and intense deep growling vocals. The guitars have a quite muddy sound, which actually adds to the band's overall vibe, and the overall package evokes thoughts of Oceans Ate Alaska and in the less techy segments Bury Tomorrow. You can hear the strain in the clean vocals, which provides a nice contrast to the heavier sections, and the guitar lines are chock-full of breakdowns and djenty noodling similar to After the Burial. The crowd is completely into it, headbanging and moshing the entire time, while the energy on stage is through the roof.

Kent headliners Graphic Nature take to the stage in an unassuming manner which quickly turns into a full throttle, menacing, intense show. These guys are the real deal, with a sound very similar to bands Alpha Wolf, Pitchshifter, and Emmure. If you're a fan of any of those bands, you're in for a treat when you catch this crew. As they hit the stage, all four instrumentalist band members are decked out in windbreakers, hoods up, with frontman Harvey Freeman letting his hair hang down across his face as they launch into their opening track.

The kick drum is a little too loud early on, but the mix soon balances out and we’re treated to a tour de force of their catalogue. The guitars, especially in the up-tempo grumble, are very Emmure, with a technical prowess that's impossible to ignore. In fact, the bass and guitars are all really technical, and the drumming is superb, with a style reminiscent of Jason Bowld. Freeman’s vocals add a focal point to the songs, but retain that raw, aggressive energy of the show. ‘Chokehold’ showcases the band's ability to go from evil growling guitars to a fast tempo into a brutal beatdown, all while keeping those drum and bass style drums going.

But there's more to Graphic Nature than just their killer sound – this band is about raising mental health awareness, especially among men, with Freeman taking the time between songs to speak about the importance of seeking help when you need it, his own journey, and the crowd responds with cheers and applause through-out. Other highlights include Connor Sweeney making a guest appearance on vocals, and the pit absolutely going off during the dubstep-infused section in ‘Sour’. Graphic Nature have their own unique sound and style, both musically and visually, and have the package to take the metal world by storm. If you get the chance to catch them live, don't miss it. If you haven't had the chance to catch them live yet, do yourself a favor and make it a priority – you won't regret it.