A mix of new and old death metal greats came together for a night of jams at Irving Plaza.

They’re from Idaho and they’re angry about it. Okay, well, there are other things to be angry about too but Boise’s Ingrown are here to explain. As with most hardcore bands, Ingrown has gripes with society, namely racism and cops. Don’t we all? Their short songs and blast beats lean into the power violence genre, which isn’t too far-fetched considering their latest album is called Gun, but the guttural vocals give them the death metal edge to fit tonight’s bill.

 

Maybe it’s the altitude, but Denver’s metal scene has been popping off with great metal acts. Blood Incantation is no exception with their addictive psychedelic brand of death metal. 

I’ve seen them perform three times since the release of their divisive ambient album, Time Wave Zero, each time wondering if they would boldly play in full what some might call ten beats per minute washing machine noises. Alas, tonight they went with the sounds that got them noticed in the first place: really good death metal from their first LPs Starspawn and Hidden History of the Human Race. Complex riffs and progressive sweeping layered over masterful soundscapes and the vocalist’s gruff growls were otherworldly. Blood Incantation says there is life on Mars and their music transports us there.

INTERVIEW: John and Don Tardy of Obituary – “Dying of Everything” Track-By-Track Breakdown

 

When I saw Obituary announce their tour, I hoped they would include at least one other old-school death metal veteran. Cue New York legends, Immolation! Favoring songs off their 2022  album, Acts of God, Immolation brought the heaviness. Trying to photograph guitarist Robert Vigna can be like trying to hold water in your hand; he does not stand still. His fellow guitarist Alex Bouks had a stone-cold chill vibe, but both men showed their expertise with powerful riffs and exquisite technicality. Frontman Ross Dolan stood with authority, commanding bass and barking evil vocals. Their final song, An Act of God, with its intensity and volume, would satisfy any longtime fan of Immolation’s abominable sound.

INTERVIEW: John and Don Tardy of Obituary – “Dying of Everything” Track-By-Track Breakdown

Although needing no formal introduction, the electrified 80’s jam Snortin’ Whiskey served as a welcome as historic heavy metallers Obituary took the stage. The bluesy track was a stark contrast to the music the band themselves make, but it’s always nice to witness musicians have personalities beyond their genre.  They revved their engines with the wicked riffs of Redneck Stomp and launched into full death metal assault with Sentence Day. With nearly 40 years of musicianship behind them, their setlist had a wide discography to span. They played a few classics from their 2005 Frozen in Time and from their latest Dying of Everything. They wrapped up with their legacy track Slowly We Rot, a barbaric track highlighting the band’s dedication to oozing, ugly death metal.

SETLIST:

Redneck Stomp

Sentence Day

A Lesson in Vengeance

Visions in My Head

The Wrong Time

Barely Alive

Slow Death

Find the Arise

Weaponize the Hate

My Will to Live

Chopped in Half (intro only)

Turned Inside Out

 

ENCORE:

War

Dying of Everything

I’m in Pain

Slowly We Rot