Photos and article by: Amy Asche
On September 20th, 2024, the iconic Ogden Theater in Denver, Colorado, became the epicenter of a seismic musical event. Metal and hardcore music enthusiasts gathered for a monumental night featuring an extraordinary lineup: Sepultura, Obituary, Agnostic Front, and Claustrofobia. It was a night to celebrate and bid farewell to the legendary Sepultura as they embarked on their 40-year anniversary goodbye tour.
The show kicked off promptly at 7 PM with Claustrofobia, the Brazilian death/thrash metal band. The group delivered a short yet electrifying set that included tracks from their latest album, “Unleeched”. Their performance set an energetic tone for the evening, capturing the audience's attention with their raw power and musical precision.
Following Claustrofobia, Agnostic Front took the stage. Hailing from New York, this hardcore punk band, formed in the 1980s, did not disappoint their eager fans. Their high-energy set served as the perfect segue, preparing the crowd for the evening's mighty lineup.
Next up was Obituary, the Florida-born death metal band formed in 1984. With a setlist that seamlessly blended their classic hits and newer tracks from their album “Dying of Everything”, released January 13, 2023, Obituary kept the audience engaged and brimming with excitement for the main act.
As the clock ticked closer to the night's climax, anticipation reached a fever pitch. Sepultura, the Brazilian heavy metal titans founded by brothers Max and Igor Cavalera in 1984, now featuring prominent names such as Andreas Kisser, and Derrick Green, emerged onto the stage. Their performance was nothing short of legendary. The band delivered an electrifying hour-and-a-half set, traversing their extensive four-decade catalog. Fans were treated to an extraordinary array of tracks, including “Territory,” “Phantom Self,” “Attitude,” “Choke,” “Escape the Void,” “Agony of Defeat,” “Inner Self,” and “Arise.” Fittingly, they closed the night with their iconic anthem “Roots,” leaving the audience in awe of their enduring power.
The performance not only celebrated 40 years of musical innovation but also marked the impending retirement of Sepultura, leaving fans in disbelief yet filled with gratitude for the band's incredible contribution to the metal scene.
An Encore in the Streets broke out, As the audience poured out from the Ogden Theater, it became clear that the night was far from over. Across the street, two U-Haul trucks parked in front of a 7-Eleven formed an impromptu stage. Local bands Acid Sentence and Hemorage seized the moment, engaging the departing crowd in a spontaneous parking lot battle of the bands.
With the Denver streets as their stage, the bands fueled an exhilarating continuation of the evening's festivities. Frenzied mosh pits erupted amidst the asphalt and gas pumps, while the U-Haul trucks reverberated with the force of the music. Even Denver's police stood back, watching the spectacle unfold as the crowd swelled and the impromptu concert extended late into the night.
For those in attendance, the September 20th show at the Ogden Theater was truly a night to remember. It was a celebration of legacy, a demonstration of musical ingenuity, and an embodiment of the relentless spirit of metal. As Sepultura's farewell tour continues, fans are encouraged not to miss the chance to witness this historic event. It is a final opportunity to see a band that has indelibly shaped the metal landscape for 40 remarkable years. The stage is set for the next generation, but on this night, it was a celebration of titans.
Catch Sepultura, Obituary, Agnostic Front, and Claustrofobia on tour now in a town near you and be part of the last chapter of a band that changed the face of metal forever.
