This banger line up was put together by Modo Live and tugged at all my high school goth girl heart strings! Although most of us had to scurry on over to Rebel straight from work, it was definitely worth it, for a midweek mini music festival!
CORPSE PILE
Kicking off the evening, Corpse Pile delivered a raw and unfiltered set that immediately immersed the early attendees in a maelstrom of brutal death metal. Their performance was a relentless barrage of guttural vocals and crushing riffs, setting a formidable tone for the night. Despite the early set time, the band’s energy was infectious, and they effectively primed the audience for the chaos to come.
VOMIT FORTH
I’ve seen Vomit Forth twice in Toronto so far and if you haven’t taken the time to get off your ass and attend one of their shows; you’re missing out!
Even though they took the stage second, they ripped a multi-track set that showcased their evolution and prowess in the death metal scene. Each riff delivered with ferocious intensity, if I may add. The band’s performance and unyielding aggression ignited the first mosh pits of the evening, solidifying their place as a rising force in extreme metal.
UNDEATH
Rochester’s Undeath continued the momentum with a performance that blended old-school death metal sensibilities with modern brutality. Their set was a visceral experience, featuring thunderous drums, guttural vocals, and riffs that compelled the crowd into a frenzy.
Undeath’s ability to channel the essence of classic death metal while infusing it with contemporary energy made their performance a standout of the night. BIG HELL YEAH to our cross boarder homies!
NE OBLIVISCARIS
Australian progressive metallers Ne Obliviscaris brought a dynamic shift to the evening with their intricate compositions and virtuosic musicianship. Their set, opened with “Equus” and as usual they delivered a masterclass performance; blending aggression with melody.
Tim Charles captivated the audience with his dual role as a clean vocalist and violinist, adding layers of passive complexity to their sound. The band’s performance was both mesmerizing and intense, offering a refreshing contrast to the evening’s brutality.
FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE
Italy’s Fleshgod Apocalypse transformed the venue into a theatrical spectacle with their symphonic performance. Adorned in lavish costumes and every goths dream decor, the band delivered a nine-track set that spanned their discography, culminating in a surprising and crowd-pleasing cover of Eiffel 65’s “Blue (Da Ba Dee) to end off their set.
Their fusion of classical elements with extreme metal created a grandiose atmosphere, and their commanding stage presence left a lasting impression on the audience.
CRADLE OF FILTH
Hear me out!!! This part of the review might be a little biased.
I FUCKING LOVE CRADLE!!!!
I used to wear corpse paint and scream the lyrics to “Her Ghost in the Fog” in my mirror during high-school. I’ve heard this band labelled in all types of different genres, but if I had to give my two cents, I would probably say they are a blend of gothic horror black metal.
Frontman Dani Filth’s signature high-pitched shrieks and dynamic stage antics, captivated the audience in the most iconic way of course.
The setlist featured classics like “Cruelty Brought Thee Orchids, and “Nemesis” as well as newer tracks like “To Live Deliciously.”
The band’s elaborate costumes and atmospheric lighting enhanced the dark, immersive experience, solidifying their status as gothic metal icons.
SPECIAL SHOUT OUT TO THE BAND
The fact that they allowed local make up artists in each performing city to do Dani’s corpse paint RULES! Way to support smaller artists!!!
DYING FETUS
Although I’ve literally seen Dying Fetus five times in the last two years, they are legendary and get better with time like fine wine.
As usual, they ended up closing the night off, by delivering a relentless barrage of technical death metal that left the audience in awe. Their precision and intensity were unmatched, with complex riffs and brutal breakdowns that incited nonstop moshing. Despite the late hour, the band’s energy never waned, and their performance was a testament to their enduring influence in the death metal scene.
FINAL THOUGHTS
CHAOS AND CARNAGE 2025 RULED!!
