To say I had high expectations for this tour package would be an understatement. There are a few times a year when a tour gets announced when the entire metal community collectively understands that this is one that you should not miss... so if you missed this one, you missed one of the best shows since live events have been back. From start to finish this show was 10/10; every band was on point and the place was packed from the time doors opened at 6pm.
Blackbraid was the first band on the bill, and for such a young band, they played with the confidence of seasoned veterans. Black Metal is known for being visually striking, and Blackbraid is no exception. Sgah’gahsowáh, the man behind the music of Blackbraid, truly understands black metal, his Mohawk heritage shines with his stage presence. Bands like Blackbraid are carrying the torch for Black Metal, and it couldn't be in more capable hands. 10/10
Another band that has become a torch-bearer for their genre is 200 Stab Wounds with their devastating brutal death metal; they were the second band of the night and good lord did they bring the house down. There are very few things that can match the energy of a brutal death metal band at their peak. This new wave of death metal that we are in the midst of has brought about some of the best death metal we've seen since the early Tampa scene, and 200 Stab Wounds is at the forefront. If you are reading this, go see these guys every time they come around, you will not be disappointed. 10/10
Cattle Decapitation, what can I say, they are heavy as fuck and they bring it every damn time. This show was no different. This was about the time of the show that I started to feel the effects of the drinky poohs, and that just made the performance even better. I am not typically one to put deathgrind into my rotation, but Cattle Decap is the lone exception. They are one of the most consistently solid bands live, and there was no exception here. 10/10
I fucking love Black Metal. If you know me, you know this. Dark Funeral, one of the best bands to come from the 2nd wave of black metal, still continue to be stalwarts in the Black Metal scene. This was the first time I got to see them headline a show, and holy shit was it great. By this point I was about 7/10 drunk, right in the fuckin' pocket, and the energy in that room was flowing right through me, it was fucking excellent. To add to the excitement of the show, Lord Ahriman ended up using our Instagram post to thank the Toronto metal community, just an unreal show. 10/10 All in all this was one of best shows that I have ever been to. There really isn't anything else I can say about it other than it was damn near perfect. Shout out to Noel @ Inertia Entertainment for getting this tour to Toronto. And shout out to Blackbraid, 200 Stab Wounds, Cattle Decapitation and Dark Funeral for putting on one hell of show. 10/10
