Metal Crushes All Tour • Amon Amarth • Cannibal Corpse • Obituary • Frozen Soul • April 24, 2024 • The Complex
Reviewed and Photographed by Thea Chevelle
I was lucky enough to attend Viking-metal mainstays Amon Amarth. They are headlining “Metal Crushes All Tour” Tour. They had support from Cannibal Corpse and Obituary, and Frozen Soul at The Complex last week.
Frozen Soul
Opener Frozen Soul, a Texas-based death metal sensation, immediately unleashed a relentless assault on the senses. The band wasted no time diving into their setlist, opening with “Invisible Tormentor,” a bone-crushing track that immediately had the crowd headbanging in unison.
Vocalist Chad Green’s growls cut through the dense wall of sound created by guitarist Michael Munday, whose blistering riffs and shredding solos were nothing short of mesmerizing. Bassist Samantha Mobley and drummer Matt Dennard formed a relentless rhythm section, driving the music forward with aggressive precision.
Frozen Soul’s set was a visceral and unforgettable experience that left fans(myself included) craving more. I may or may not have attained a few injuries in the pit during their set!
With their unique blend of old-school brutality and modern flair, Frozen Soul is undoubtedly a band to watch as they continue to carve their path through the frozen wastelands of death metal!
Obituary
Metalheads were in for a treat as Obituary took the stage. The death metal legends delivered a timeless performance, commanding attention with their raw power and precision. The band’s signature blend of crushing riffs, thunderous drums, and guttural vocals created an atmosphere charged with energy and intensity.
What stood out the most for me was the band’s tightness and professionalism. Each member displayed incredible musicianship, from Trevor Peres and Kenny Andrews’ crushing guitar work to Donald Tardy’s relentless drumming and John Tardy’s iconic growls.
The sound quality was top-notch, allowing every instrument to shine through the mix. Obituary’s live sound was a testament to their decades of experience and dedication to their craft.
The stage presence of the band was also noteworthy. While not overly theatrical, Obituary’s performance was captivating, drawing the audience into their world of dark, intense metal.
Obituary’s set was a masterclass in death metal performance. They proved once again why they are considered legends in the genre.
Cannibal Corpse
Next up, Cannibal Corpse! The death metal icons delivered a jaw-dropping performance! The band’s tight musicianship was immediately apparent as they launched into their set. Guitarists Alex Webster and Rob Barrett unleashed a barrage of crushing riffs, creating a wall of sound that engulfed the crowd. Pat O’Brien’s blistering solos added another layer of technical proficiency to the performance.
Frontman George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher commanded the stage with his commanding presence and monstrous vocals. His guttural growls and menacing stage persona were a perfect match for the band’s brutal sound. “Respect the neck!”
The setlist on this tour truly showed the band’s evolution while staying true to their death metal roots. Songs like “Hammer Smashed Face,” “I Cum Blood,” and “Evisceration Plague” incited frenzied reactions from the pit, with fans headbanging and throwing horns in approval.
Amon Amarth
Finally, Amon Amarth took the stage with a thunderous roar! The band immediately commanded attention with their powerful presence, epic sound and an electrifying display of Viking metal prowess that left the audience in awe.
The setlist was a journey through their iconic discography, blending brutal riffs, melodic solos, and vocals that resonated with the crowd’s primal energy. Songs like “Twilight of the Thunder God,” “Guardians of Asgaard,” and “Raise Your Horns” incited mosh pits and sing-alongs, creating an atmosphere of camaraderie among metalheads of all ages.
The band’s performance was not just about the music; it was a theatrical experience. The stage was adorned with Viking-themed props, including a massive ship’s prow and banners depicting Norse mythology. The synchronized light show and pyrotechnics added a layer of intensity to each song, enhancing the storytelling aspect of their music.
Frontman Johan Hegg’s commanding presence and deep growls were complemented by the tight musicianship of the band, including Johan Söderberg and Olavi Mikkonen’s blistering guitar work, Ted Lundström’s rumbling bass lines, and Jocke Wallgren’s thunderous drumming. Their cohesion as a live unit was evident, delivering a performance that was both precise and raw.
The famous pit row ignited with a frenzy of movement led by fans known for their fierce dedication to the band and their music. Amon Amarth’s music pulsed through the air, the pit row became a living embodiment of the band’s Viking spirit, a battlefield of sound and motion where fans revel in the primal thrill of live metal music.
As the night came to an end, in a sea of sweaty faces and adrenaline-fueled smiles, there was a sense of camaraderie among the metal heads, a shared bond forged through the collective experience of headbanging, moshing, and singing along to their favorite songs. Strangers become temporary friends, connected by their mutual love for metal music and the iconic bans they just saw.
Despite the natural fatigue from hours of standing, jumping, and shouting, there was an undeniable buzz in the air—an excitement that lingered long after the final encore.