Although initially scheduled to play The Kingsland, popular demand upgraded this stacked metal lineup to the fabulous new and much larger Brooklyn Monarch.

Opening was Divergence, energetic prog-death metallers from Queens. Their progressive tendencies and powerful vocals were an invigorating intro to the night. They were followed by Ancestral Curse from Long Island, who offered a creepy mix of horror-inspired theatrics and death metal. 

The room was starting to fill up at this point, as Vulvodynia, all the way from South Africa, took the stage. They were extreme in every sense of the word, from their slam-death sounds to their brutal breakdowns and lively stage energy. Even their name evokes major shock value (as intended). 

Next up Nashville’s Inferi unleashed a musical rampage. The melodic tech-death band assaulted the room with dense and dynamic guitar work and manic vocals, reminiscent of The Black Dahlia Murder (RIP Trevor). 

Direct support of the night was wife and husband prog-death duo Entheos. Their ominous and otherworldly sounds pushed boundaries of progressive metal, with drummer Navene Koperweis’ (ex-Animals as Leaders) blistering speed and vocalist Chaney Crabb’s demonic growls.

After the five previous bands, the crowd was pumped to the max as headliners Archspire began their set. One word to describe Archspire live: surreal. The superhuman speed with which vocalist Oliver Aleron spat into the mic was unbelievable to witness. His vocal assault combined with frenzied guitars and rumble of drums and bass for full-on rhythmic mayhem. Despite their near godly technicality and precision, there was still an immense sense of relatability: their goofy jokes brought momentary relief in between the aural onslaught of the setlist. 

WORDS AND PHOTOS BY REBECCA PAIGE