Words and Photos: Louie Galvez
https://www.instagram.com/mata.ni.louie/
FIREHAZE ignited the Monarch in New York City with their explosive performance. This heavy metal quartet from New Jersey, consisting of vocalist and bassist Black Troops, Justo Valdez, Charlie Gonzalez (all Cuban-born), and Ecuadorian Frank Cepeda, delivered a dynamic and innovative set. Their music blends metal with symphonic influences, creating a unique sound that sets them apart from the local scene.
While their debut single, “SILENCED,” showcases a more straightforward metal approach, FIREHAZE has incorporated a diverse range of instruments into their live performances, including the cello and an extensive array of percussion instruments.
CLOAK, the next band to take the stage, offered a spiritual rebellion against modern societal tribalism. This Atlanta-based quartet embraces the rebellious spirit and enduring traditions of heavy metal, drawing inspiration from Swedish black metal legends like Watain and Dissection, the deep, dark grooves of Danzig, and the raw speed and vibrant energy of Motörhead. Their music goes beyond a mere romanticization of the past, showcasing how these diverse genres have contributed to their unique identity.
INFERI, a distinguished technical melodic death metal band from Nashville, Tennessee, followed. This exceptional group expertly fuses elements of deathcore and progressive metal, establishing themselves as a hallmark in the technical death metal scene. Their sound represents a compelling interpretation of how technical death metal might evolve, diverging from traditional melodic death metal.
One of the co-headliners, the veteran Brazilian death metal band KRISIUN, took the stage next. Their performance showcased pure death metal in its finest form, with a seamless blend of instruments, intricate guitar solos, and relentless drum blast beats. This trio has been performing together for over 30 years, maintaining a consistent lineup and delivering a sound that is as brutal, intense, and technically proficient as it was in their earlier years. Despite attracting a significantly larger audience than the previous bands, KRISIUN faced a surprisingly lethargic crowd.
DEICIDE, the other co-headliner, took the stage to an electrifying response from the completely sold-out audience. The band’s set ignited the energy in the mosh pit, leading to a chaotic but fun atmosphere. As a front-row spectator, I experienced the full force of the crowd’s enthusiasm, enduring several impacts against the front railing. This performance marked my first experience witnessing these death metal legends live, and they certainly met the high expectations set by their reputation. Frontman Glen Benton commanded the audience with an impressive stage presence, making the effort to stay upright during the show undoubtedly worthwhile.
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