30 years ago, I hadn’t heard of Cryptopsy. When a friend played them for me 20 years ago, I did not like what I had heard. I knew it was good, but there was no way I was going to listen to it, or ever see that band live. 20 years later, I was thrilled to see Cryptopsy perform at last.

Chicago’s Warforged started the night off around 6:15pm. Not many bodies in yet, but the rain and rush-hour traffic were not being cooperative. Still, Warforged wasted no time and delivered 30 minutes of eerie blackened death. The guitars may have been a little hard to hear, but that almost added to the atmosphere in a striking way, leaving more space for a haunting feel. The heaviness and slower pacing were a great start for a night of varied genres and styles. The crowd responded well and headed to check out the merch.

https://youtu.be/QOB9rBqCFGA

https://youtu.be/PMnfURSZNF8

Reaping Asmodeia (Minneapolis) was up next. They felt predominantly Deathcore in their set, but had a higher energy level that felt faster than much of the deathcore I had seen, though this may be largely attributed to their vocalist Steven Lane, who was a blur for most of the set. Playing to the crowd, the band offered riffs and chugs and stage presence for the fans and cameras alike and kept the energy high going into the middle of the set. Again, the fans responded well and headed to look at merch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpcB3AoYSwU

Brutal death metal is always hit or miss for me, and not having heard Visceral Disgorge before, I was a little wary, but this did not last long – Visceral Disgorge (Baltimore) were the most enjoyable brutal death metal band I have ever seen perform, and possibly one of the top acts in the genre that I’ve heard. The set was heavy and energetic, the songs were a good length and tight, and the crowd enjoyed several comedic interactions with the band and the song titles and introductions (after all, who wouldn’t enjoy a chuckle at “Force Fed Shredded Genitalia”?). The band had recently joined the tour, as the slot was previously filled by Hate (whose visas would run out several days prior), allowing them to bring fresh energy to the middle slot, while retaining a brutal heaviness to enjoy. This time, I made my way to the merch booth, and I will not disclose what that move cost me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obvcJa87z24

Abysmal Dawn (Los Angeles) brought an interesting energy to the stage; they appeared young and the crowd buzzed at their presence, but they also drew respect from the crowd, as though they had been doing this for longer than their (approximately) 20 years together. I admit that technical metal of any kind, especially death metal, is not something I usually enjoy but Abysmal Dawn played it well and with each of the nine or so songs, you could feel the energy surge forward and the first serious mosh pits of the night emerged. Definitely a fan favorite band, Abysmal Dawn fit seamlessly in the supporting role, as though the crowd wanted to hear them before Cryptopsy, which seemed like quite the compliment.

It is wild to think that a band was acknowledged as massively talented so early in their career, and when they played last night, even the diehard fans, young and old, could not help but be stunned when Cryptopsy took the stage. The Canadian tech death metal legends came out to deliver their art without frills – straightforward metal expertly played to the fans. Matt McGachy was very charismatic and engaged terrifically with the crowd. Flo Mounier, the band’s longtime drummer, was clearly loved by the crowd, which chanted his name at several points throughout the night. Christian Donaldson and Olivier Pinard (guitar and bass respectively) were watched closely by excited and critical eyes that never reflected any disappointment back to the musicians. The pit spun, the crowd surged, and though it was a rainy Monday night, the band played like it didn’t matter what the day or weather was, and it was rewarding to see this level of passion and professionalism on the stage. Songs from 30 years ago were played with songs just released; other fan favorites were interspersed and Cryptopsy displayed their dominance. 30 years. Each position in the band held by two or more people throughout that history (including a brief keyboardist stint by Maggy Durand, the only listed keyboardist in their history). Ups and downs but the legend never faded.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVYDPpqsIRk

https://youtu.be/txm7u2KzPJA

30 years ago, I hadn’t heard of Cryptopsy. When a friend played them for me 20 years ago, I did not like what I had heard. Coincidentally, 20 years ago is when I attended the first Maryland Deathfest and next year I return to that incredible US festival, 21 years later, where I will see Cryptopsy for a second time, and I am eager to see how they deliver in that setting.

WORDS AND PHOTOS BY C.ELLARTS