No Sleep on a Monday: Coilguns, Dead Harts, Chaos Reigns and Mountain Peaks Unite at New Cross Inn
The New Cross Inn was sweaty and alive once again on a Monday night, as four bands turned an ordinary evening into something memorable. This show marked the final stop of the UK tour for Chaos Reigns and Dead Harts, joined by headliners Coilguns and openers Mountain Peaks.
Mountain Peaks kicked things off and immediately brought the room to life. Confident, loud and full of energy, they grabbed attention from the first note and didn’t let go. Their sharp riffs and heavy grooves set the tone for what would become a wild night.
Next up were Chaos Reigns, a band clearly riding a wave after a huge year. Their 2024 EP ‘Sweet Violence’ earned praise from Kerrang! and Metal Hammer, and it’s easy to see why. We also featured them in our 5 New Bands to Disturb Your Playlist article last month. They play fast, raw and full of attitude — always on the edge of chaos, but never losing control. This show marked the end of their run through Cardiff, Bristol, Lincoln and Leeds, but you wouldn’t have known it. Chaos Reigns tore through their set like it was the first night of tour, with the crowd shouting back every word and throwing themselves into the energy. It felt like watching a band on the rise, fully aware of the moment they’re in.
Dead Harts followed and matched that intensity with ease. The London crowd already knew what to expect, and they gave it right back. Old favourites like ‘Concrete Walls’ sparked heartfelt singalongs, while new tracks ‘Waste Cadet’ and ‘Human Rust’ showed how much the band has evolved. Their mix of aggression and emotion hit hard, and their constant crowd interaction made the whole room feel like part of the performance. Microphones were passed around, people screamed lyrics together and everyone just felt alive.
Then came Coilguns, and things went from loud to insane. The Swiss noise-rock collective took the stage with unmatched character. Frontman Louis Jucker spent as much time off the stage as on it, screaming in people’s faces, crawling on the floor and at one point even dragging a trash can from outside to use as part of his performance. It was unpredictable and totally captivating. But amid all the chaos, there were also powerful moments of connection. Jucker paused between songs to talk about inclusivity, community and taking care of one another. Before ‘Generic Skincare’, he spoke about the pharmaceutical companies in Switzerland and apologised “for their evil politics”. Later, before the final song, he called out, “Before we go, let’s sweat the fascism out of our bodies”, and the band exploded into one last song that left everyone in the room speechless.
What could have been just another Monday turned into something unforgettable. Coilguns proved they’re one of Europe’s most exciting live acts, while Chaos Reigns and Dead Harts ended their tour in true style. A loud, sweaty and honest night that reminded everyone why small venue gigs still matter.
