Summer Slaughter Tour 2024
Riverside Municipal Auditorium
Riverside, CA
8.1.24
LIVE REVIEW AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY WOLF REQUIESTAS
The Summer Slaughter Tour 2024 made its mark at the Riverside Municipal Auditorium, delivering an explosive evening of deathcore, metalcore, and unrelenting energy. Headlined by the mighty Veil of Maya, the show was a masterclass in heavy music, featuring a lineup that roared from start to finish.
Filth: A Gritty Start to the Show
The night began early with Filth taking the stage at 3:30 PM. Formed 2015 in Shelby, NC, the band has made a name for themselves with an aggressive take on deathcore. Vocalist Dustin Mitchell’s voice was nothing short of filthy, delivering gritty, deep growls and screams that set a dark, intense tone for the evening. Despite their early slot, Filth’s performance was powerful and established the night’s high standards for brutality.
Cabal: Overcoming Adversity
Next up was Cabal, a Danish deathcore outfit that has been making waves since their inception in 2016. Although some of the band faced visa issues, leaving only the vocalist Andreas Bjulver and bassist Malthe Strøyer to perform, they didn’t let this hinder their performance. With two session musicians stepping in for the tour’s guitar and drum duties, Cabal’s set was tight and energetic. Their resilience shone through as they premiered a new song, which was well received by the Riverside crowd. Despite a rough day that included van trouble, Cabal’s performance was as intense as ever, proving their dedication to the craft.
Tallah: Chaotic Energy
Tallah brought a whirlwind of chaos and excitement to the stage. Formed in 2017 and from Pennsylvania, the band had erratic energy, and the vocalist Justin Bonitz gave mad doctor vibes. Bonitz led the charge with a high-octane performance, while guitarist Alex Snowden and bassist Max Portnoy ran, jumped, and collided around the stage with reckless abandon. The set was a frenetic display of metalcore chaos, culminating in Bonitz performing a split in the middle of the stage.
TEN56.: Slammin’ from Paris
From Paris, TEN56. brought a brutal edge with their slam/deathcore sound. Formed in 2020, the band are by no means newbies in the music industry, as they consist of members from other reputable metalcore bands like Betraying the Martyrs and Uneven Structure. The band, fronted by vocalist Aaron Matts, delivered a powerful set characterized by their intense brutality. Drummer Arnaud Verrier’s snare and cymbal work was exceptional, and his switch with the guitarist during the last song added a thrilling dynamic. Verrier’s wild performance, slamming the guitar around the stage, was the final highlight of their set.
Left To Suffer: A Crushing Performance
Left To Suffer, fronted by Taylor Barber, took the stage next with their deep, intense vocals and crushing nu-deathcore sound. Formed in 2019, the Atlantean band’s performance was a relentless barrage of heaviness, showcasing their growing reputation in the scene. Their set was both powerful and engaging, adding to the night’s intensity.
Gideon: A Southern Twist
Hailing from Alabama, Gideon brought a distinctive flavor to the lineup. With a history that dates back to 2008, their hardcore influences provided a stark contrast to the deathcore-heavy lineup. Vocalist Daniel McWhorter stomped around the stage in cowboy boots and hat, wielding the mic cord like a lasso. Their hard-hitting, heavy sound was a refreshing change of pace, and McWhorter’s energetic performance was both engaging and memorable.
Brand of Sacrifice: Deathcore Excellence
Canadian deathcore band Brand of Sacrifice delivered a standout performance with their powerful stage presence and impressive light show. Vocalist Kyle Anderson led the charge with his commanding voice, and the earth-shattering bass was felt in every corner of the venue. Highlights included Anderson’s favorite song “Exodus” and a powerful new track, “Death of a King.” The crowd was invited to crowd surf and join the band on stage, making for an immersive experience.
Veil of Maya: A Pounding Finale
The headliner, Veil of Maya, closed the night with an unforgettable performance. Known for their Chicago death metal roots, the band, led by vocalist Lukas Magyar, kicked off with “Nyu” and “Leeloo” from their album Matriarch. Their set list was a well-curated mix of hits from various albums, including powerful performances, playing “Godhead,” Tokyo Chainsaw,” and “Red Fur” from their latest album [m]other. Veil of Maya eschewed the traditional encore wait, maintaining the energy with their final track “,” which had the crowd singing along with every word. A moving end to an intense night.
The Summer Slaughter Tour 2024 in Riverside was a testament to the power and passion of heavy music. From the early grit of Filth to the climactic finale by Veil of Maya, the evening was a relentless showcase of talent and energy that left the audience in awe.
