Although the show was held on a night we faced a shit show of weather conditions, fans packed The Axis Club for a night of pure, unrelenting brutality. The bitter cold and treacherous roads didn’t stand a chance against the dedication of death metal fans eager to witness a stacked lineup featuring some of the heaviest bands in the scene. From start to finish, the energy in the venue was insane, with every band delivering a set that kept the crowd engaged, battered, and begging for more.
Necrotic Gore Beast – Quebec Death Machine Leaves Its Mark
Opening the night was Quebec’s own Necrotic Gore Beast, proving that even with just two dates on this tour, they could leave a lasting impression. Their brutal take on slamming death metal had the early crowd locked in, with frontman John’s powerful gutturals shaking the room. Their setlist—stacked with tracks like Deviant Primitive Debauchery and Sterilized Infant Fleshdoll—was as grotesque as their name suggests. Special recognition goes to the band for their inclusive merch selection, with plenty of options for female fans, a rare but welcome sight in extreme metal. Their performance was a reminder that Canada’s underground death metal scene is as strong as ever.
Peeling Flesh – Slam for the People
Up next, Peeling Flesh took over and brought intense energy to the venue. It was great to see a different crowd of folks come out for their set, showcasing the increasing diversity in the death metal and slam scene. Having a BIPOC frontman in a genre that often lacks representation is huge, and they proved that good music knows no boundaries. And how can you go wrong with Unhinged merch featuring Chrisean Rock? Their set was a relentless assault, and the crowd fed off their intensity, particularly during “Nefarious Moongrass” and “F.F.W.A.S”, which bookended their performance perfectly. Peeling Flesh isn’t just a band—they’re a movement, and they made that clear with every breakdown and callout to the audience.
Ingested – A New Era with Josh Davies
Manchester’s Ingested came out swinging, and if anyone had doubts about their new vocalist, Josh Davies, they were quickly silenced. Formerly a member of their touring crew and merch team, Davies has proven he was destined to front the band, and his performance was nothing short of jaw-dropping. He’s got the vocal power and stage presence to take Ingested to the next level, and the Toronto crowd gave him a warm welcome.
The setlist was packed with brutality, featuring fan-favorites like Titanomachy and Altar of Flesh. The energy in the room peaked when the band called for a wall of death, which saw bodies collide in a moment of pure, controlled chaos. The pit was non-stop, various walls of death and crowd surfers adding to the mayhem, all feeding off the band’s relentless assault. Ingested proved they’re still at the top of the slam/deathcore game, and with Davies at the helm, they’re only getting stronger.
Aborted – A Masterclass in Extreme Metal
Closing out the night was Aborted, who took the stage like the seasoned veterans they are. If there was ever any doubt that Sven is a legend in the extreme metal scene, this performance crushed it. His commanding stage presence and monstrous vocals drove the crowd into a frenzy, proving once again why Aborted remains one of the most consistent forces in the scene.
The band’s stage visuals added another layer of intensity to the performance, with grotesque, horror-inspired graphics flashing behind them. The setlist was an absolute masterclass in brutality, featuring newer tracks like Dreadbringer and Infinite Terror, alongside classics like The Origin of Disease and The Saw and the Carnage Done. By the time they closed with Hecatomb, the room was drenched in sweat, and every single person in the venue had been properly obliterated.
Final Thoughts
Despite the chaotic weather, this show was nothing short of legendary. Every band delivered, the crowd energy was unmatched, and Toronto once again proved why it’s one of the best cities for extreme metal. Whether it was Necrotic Gore Beast making their mark on a bigger stage, Peeling Flesh bringing much-needed diversity and energy, Ingested introducing their new powerhouse frontman, or Aborted showing why they are still kings of the genre, this night was one for the books.
For those who missed it—don’t be a fucking idiot and make that mistake again.
