Live Review: Hacktivist - Waterfront, Norwich
25th March 2025
Words & Photos: Tom Atkin
Finally it is starting to look a lot like summer and with it more and more gigs. Tonight’s soundtrack is set to be a good one! Gracing the Waterfront Studio this evening we have a great selection of bands, with a surprise addition to the lineup. All adverts and posters for the night listed three bands, However, we get treated to an unlisted opener of the night - a great metal act called 2nd Location.
Unfortunately, there is pretty much nothing online about them, so I can’t tell you much at all about them. What I can say though is that considering that this is their second ever performance, they definitely give the impression of a band to watch out for in the future. The music is heavy and the vocals fit the tone perfectly.
They give a high energy performance, with titbits of crowd interaction and just a good all round vibe to their music and show.
Next up we have the first band of the advertised lineup, InRetrospect. They are a UK based metal band that draw influence from both metalcore and nu-metal. What can I say about their performance though? It is absolutely spot on, there’s a rawness to InRetrospect’s live sound that doesn’t always come through on record. They’re a band that clearly thrives in a live setting; whether it was their sharper guitar tones, the emotional punch in the vocals, or just the tight chemistry between them, it all came together in a way that felt real and immediate.
An absolutely great performance that you definitely should take the opportunity to see if you are given the chance.
Final support for the evening is another band of homegrown metal, Eschalon. They delivered a solid, high-energy set that made a real impact as a warm up for the main guys in Hacktivist. Throughout the set, they played like they had something to prove, and they absolutely did. Blending atmospheric build-ups with heavy, punchy breakdowns, their sound had plenty of range without ever losing momentum. The mix of harsh and clean vocals worked really well, and it all felt tight and well-rehearsed without coming off too polished. You could tell the band were into it too. Heads down, focused, but still connecting with the crowd.
They might not be a household name just yet, but judging by this set, they’re definitely heading in the right direction. Heavy, emotional, and confident, Eschalon are one to keep an eye on.
Finally after an already intense pounding of amazing music, Hacktivist take to the stage. They return to Norwich with a point to prove, and they delivered it with force. Headlining The Waterfront Studio, the Milton Keynes genre-hybridists brought a set full of energy, chaos, and raw power, showing that they’re more than ready for the next chapter of their journey.
There’s been a bit of a shake-up in their lineup recently, with new frontman JJ Olifent stepping in to join original vocalist J Hurley. JJ’s presence on stage is huge, intense, focused, and totally locked in. His vocal range brings a fresh dynamic to the band’s grime-meets-metalcore assault, and he seems to have settled into the role with ease. Alongside him, the band also introduced guitarist Alex Hek and drummer Ste Cole, both of whom slotted in seamlessly and played with the confidence of long-time members.
The setlist covered all corners of Hacktivist’s discography, with tracks like “Elevate” and “Reprogram” hitting especially hard in the intimate venue. The crowd was right there with them from the start, pits opened, hands raised, and lyrics screamed back at full volume. Whether it was the precision of the riffs or the relentless pace of the dual vocals, the energy in the room never dipped.
Hacktivist have always thrived on fusing aggressive metal with politically charged lyricism and UK street culture, and tonight, that formula felt as vital as ever. With a refreshed lineup and new fire in their delivery, they’ve made it clear they’re not just back on the scene. They’re charging forward!
Photo Credit: Tom Atkin
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