Poison The Well
Proudly positioned as one of the most influential and groundbreaking metallic hardcore bands of all time, it’s been a long time since Poison The Well graced a stage in this part of the world. Formed back in the late 90s, few bands have their influence showing as strong in today’s scene as them. Fresh off their You Come Before You anniversary shows in America, the Florida natives haven’t missed a step since they made their live comeback. It wouldn’t be the biggest shock to see members of your favourite bands in the pit for iconic tracks like ‘Nerdy’, ‘Crystal Lake’ and ‘Botchla’. With this set not being advertised as an album one, expect the greatest hits to be pulled out, bodies to be flying and seeing grown adults screaming along in tears and ecstasy. – Chris Earl
Despize
For years, Despize have been one of, if not the name that comes to mind first when talking about the UK hardcore scene. Unashamedly heavy and rejecting the notion of trend chasing, there’s a good chance you’ll have heard the name but now is the time to see what all the fuss is about. Be warned though, that the stage during their set may be one of the most dangerous places of the whole weekend. Proudly representing Scotland, the Glaswegians are making their return to Outbreak after a phenomenal 2022 set. Like many Glaswegians, they don’t do things by halves and relish in creating an air of violence in their music. With their new full length Scotland’s Hardcore being released to rave reviews earlier this year and a wealth of material from their EPs and demos to call upon, their set promises to be one of the most brutal sets of the year. – Chris Earl
Hot Mulligan
Joining bands such as Basement and American Football in the “bands that will make you cry without getting punched in the nose” category, Hot Mulligan are one of, if not the most fun pop punk bands around right now. With their MySpace era song titles, cut-to-the-bone lyrics and incredible stage presence, the Michigan scamps are no strangers to these shores and end up leaving with more fans every single trip. Sure, the sound of chunky chords and incredibly addictive choruses may not be for everyone at Outbreak, but that’ll be their loss. The band have a deep catalogue of sing-along anthems, upbeat pop-punk body shakers and lighters in the air ballads. Keep an eye out for the wonderfully dry, self depreciating stage banger of Nathan Sanville who will no doubt relish the occasion of winning over people who are only there to throw fists and feet. – Chris Earl
Killing Me Softly
One of the most exciting young bands in the British heavy music scene in general, not just metalcore, Killing Me Softly are not to be missed this summer. Having released their debut album, Autumn Lost In Silence at the tail end of 2023 via underground heroes The Coming Strife, the band have made appearances across the continent supporting the likes of Cauldron and Cruelty. With a sound that harks back to the likes of Skycamefalling and first album Killswitch Engage given a modern flourish of heaviness and violence, you wouldn’t be surprised to see them being grouped in with the likes of Foreign Hands soon. Having recently been one of the sets of the weekend at Donfest, you’d be an absolute fool to not take your chance to see them because with any luck, they’ll be tearing up the States soon with their ferocious breakdowns and violence inciting panic chords. – Chris Earl
Never Ending Game
Fancy some no bullshit, in your face Detroit metallic hardcore? Well you’ve came to the right place. Never Ending Game are a product of their home city, an unforgiving and harsh place. That’s evident in their sound, a mix of pummelling aggression and reluctant vulnerability, particularly in the lyrics, with new record Outcry adding more metal elements into the mix, including guitar solos and more melodic parts, yet never once watering down their sound. In fact, tracks like ‘Tank on E’ and ‘Hate Today… Die Tomorrow’ are among the hardest tracks the band have written to date, with mosh parts and breakdowns big enough to shake the venue’s foundations to the point you’d think you were in the Co-op Arena. – Chris Earl
Have Heart
Picture this: it’s near the end of Saturday. Your body is pulsing full of endorphins and adrenaline from drifting between the stages catching the grooves of the previous acts. The weather has blessed the weekend with sunshine and mild temperatures (not to jinx it). And standing in front of the outdoor stage with smiles that match the weather, you’re about to witness the return of straight-edge favourites, Have Heart. Hailing from Massachusetts and taking the world by storm since 2002 this band has offered their fans a hand to hold in dark times. Connecting the scene with lyrical themes of self-image, resilience, the straight-edge lifestyle and widely loved albums Songs To Scream At The Sun and The Things We Carry have left their mark on fans. Despite the heartbreak of their departure in 2009, the band made a brief return in 2019 and now, 5 years later, have returned once again for 5 shows including Outbreak. There is no doubt their lyrics will be screamed and limbs will be flying from the first note. – Amy Bowles
Show Me the Body
New York’s Show Me the Body poetically blend elements from hardcore, noise and hip hop creating an experimental explosion of sound. Bringing their fair share of dynamic hooks and a palpable infectious energy they are sure to have the crowd losing their minds and snatching any final drops of energy as they headline the second stage on Saturday night. While they haven’t released any new music since 2022, their back catalogue is sure to deliver a consistent stream of bangers. Any tracks from favoured albums Dog Whistle and Body War will likely go down a storm with besotted onlookers and fire up the pits. Of course, we also can’t forget the mastery of the banjo the crowd are about to behold that adds to the raw, grittiness of their sound. Make sure you’ve got your licence to mosh ready, because if their 2023 Outbreak performance is anything to go by, the second stage is going to explode. – Amy Bowles
Mindforce
Masters of crossover thrash, Mindforce are set to bring an impressive slew of catchy, high-energy thumpers that will make you want to kick your Nan. Bringing that bouncy vibrancy that New York hardcore captures perfectly, full-length albums New Lords and Excalibur are both no-skip records that you physically can’t turn off. Sharing the stage with old-school powerhouses like Terror and knockout past performances at Sound and Fury and FYA have pushed them to the forefront of modern crossover. Jay Peta’s voice is sure to grab your attention, and while their leads are piercing on record, live they’ll be commanding the entire BEC arena. Not only do they deliver exceptionally tight riffs, ruckus and raw power, they facilitate a bond with their audiences and their passion radiates through. Their Saturday set will see bodies flying off the stage and violence in the pits and even if you’re not in the thick of it, there is no doubt you’ll be grooving along. – Amy Bowles
Taqbir
Morrocan punks Taqbir are set to hit the stage on Saturday. Bringing their unique take on post punk their set will be a welcomed change to the numerous breakdowns and beatdowns that will ring out through the day. The band’s sound closely draws on riot grrrl punk and conveys the same message to break the rules and be yourself. However, Taqbir’s music reflects the anger towards sexism, homophobia and racism experienced in their culture and seeks to empower oppressed women from North Africa and beyond, though speaking out about these injustices can be a dangerous game as it has led to the persecution of those within Morroco’s underground punk scene. Their messages are perfectly matched by a raw, powerful sound, creating a lioness energy and sense of unity. Despite the difficulties they face, Outbreak will be sure to greet them with a warm and raucous welcome. – Amy Bowles
Demonstration Of Power
Glasgow hardcore legends, Demonstration of Power return to Outbreak following their explosive set last year. An intense blast of raw belligerence has seen them go from strength to strength over the past years so it’s no wonder they’ve been invited back. Their 2022 split EP with Seed Of Pain, is a masterpiece (on both sides) and latest releases “Five Eyes’ and ‘Disgrace’ are enough to get even the most placid of people riled up. Performing killer sets throughout the UK including Northern Unfest, they have started on their path of global domination popping over Stateside for FYA and touring in South East Asia with Despize in March. A violent energy both on stage and off will be filling the room for the full duration of the set. It will be mosh central and it would be criminal to miss this on Sunday. – Amy Bowles