False Reality revive hardcore energy in London
Downstairs at The Dome may be a smaller venue, but False Reality made it feel anything but, turning the night into a full-blown two-step reunion. As one of the most promising names in the UK hardcore scene, the band delivered an impressive gig to promote its latest album ‘Faded Intentions’ – a record that quickly took off, cementing itself as a standout release in the genre.
London hardcore Regress kicked things off, wasting no time in getting the moshers moving. From the first breakdown, the bunch was already in full swing, setting the tone for the rest of the night. Riding the momentum of their self-titled debut EP, ‘Regress’, released earlier this year, they brought a fast and intense energy that made it clear they’re a band to watch on the London hardcore circuit.
The Bristol crossover outfit Overpower hit the stage with a set that was nothing short of relentless, balancing chaos with moments that felt almost all-consuming. It’s not every day you see a pit erupt while the vocalist – dressed in cargo pants, band merch and a medieval coif — commands the room, but that pretty much summed up the energy. It was intense, and kept the pit going non-stop from start to finish. The guys delivered a strong set packed with heavy riffs. They are set to play Bloodstock Open Air 2026, so if you’re heading to the festival, make sure you don’t miss them.
False Reality came through with tight, punishing drums and vocals that cut straight through the room, locking everything into place. The setlist focused on ‘Faded Intentions’ which landed in our “The Albums We Couldn’t Stop Playing in 2025” for a reason. It’s a seriously strong debut, coming off the back of the band’s EP ‘Path of Self Destruct’, which first put them firmly on the radar. We at moshly have been watching False Reality’s rise with real excitement – and finally catching them live felt like it had to happen.
Aside from tearing straight through the ‘Faded Intentions’ album, the band also performed a few songs from their EP ‘Path of Self Destruct’, including tracks such as ‘Frozen’, ‘Mirror’ and ‘Sonder’.
The night closed out on ‘Opposites React’ (original song featuring the legends SPEED) and ‘Snake Eyes’ –a final run that hit hard and left no space to breathe. It was a finish that summed everything up perfectly – tight, heavy and fully locked into their sound, leaving the room completely drained in the best way.
The set delivered exactly what we were expecting – and still hit harder than it had any right to. It’s the kind of show that reminds you why you love hardcore in the first place and how fast the UK scene is pushing forward right now.
