Its definitely sweater season out here in the desert as its colder than a dead body on a coroner’s table, or maybe “Paul Rudd” said it best “the weather outside is weather”! The Encore in Tucson AZ was hosting Cannibal Corpse and I was definitely puzzled on how this smaller venue didn’t collapse under all the heaviness that happened that night. Just between Cannibal Corpse and Dark Funeral this was already a line up for the ages but adding Immolation, and Black Anvil made it clear we were all in for one incredible night.
Up first was Black Anvil a black metal band from New York City. This was my first time seeing them live so I looked up some songs on Bandcamp and came across their new album “Regenesis” which is a stellar album from front to back. Their sound reminded me of the harsh back alleys in New York and the griminess that comes with it. To be blunt Black Anvil is straight up heavy as fuck and I highly recommend check them out on record or live next time they come through.
Up second was Immolation another band from New York but from Yonkers that originally started in 1988. Other bands to follow in their footsteps from the New York death metal royalty scene was Incantation, Mortician, and suffocation. With over a dozen albums under their belt this band has proved why they’re at the top of the list for iconic death metal bands. Their live show is no different and in fact it adds to it. While every member of this band is highly talented, being able to watch Robert Vigna on guitar in person was mind blowing.
The Dark Lords of the Black Metal world were ready to take the stage and Dark Funeral was exactly what our little black hearts needed! This was my first time seeing them, well technically second. I saw them back in 1999 at the Whiskey A Go Go, and I was too drunk to remember anything except that their set was cut short. With almost 30 years under their belt, there is no question why this band is at the top of list of essential Black Metal bands. It was difficult to not toss my camera and jump in the pit. Dark Funeral is pure raw energy filled with hatred and disgust!
It was finally time for the titans of death metal CANNIBAL CORPSE! They are probably the one band any metal head can see over and over again and never grow tired of. Their live show is straight to the point, no gimmicks, or walking out to a pre-recorded sample. They just stepped on that stage and straight up destroyed it. Opening with “Scourge of Iron“, the opening riff is pure chugging metal! Up next was “The Time to Kill is Now” which brought the venue into a giant circle pit. Before I had to exit the venue on the third song they blasted their way into one of my favorite tracks off their 2021 release Violence Unimagined, “Inhumane Harvest“. Hearing everyone scream “Sliced right open, right down the chest” had chills running down my back! All in all it was an incredible night filled with some of the best metal acts that have been destroying our ear drums for years now!
