@ The Gothic Theatre, Denver, CO, Monday, May 20, 2024
By: Ashley Parrish Otteman
Photos By: Amy Asche
The historic Gothic Theatre in Englewood sold out on Monday night, transforming into the epicenter of brutal, face-melting metal mayhem. Proving that the Denver metal scene is relentless and unwavering, no matter the day of the week. Since its launch in 2018, the Chaos and Carnage Tour has been a sanctuary for deathcore, death metal, and extreme metal fans, delivering a concentrated dose of pure intensity. This year's lineup was an absolute beast, with each band bringing their own brand of inspired brutality to the stage.
Face Yourself kicked off the night with a surge of unhindered energy. As the dimly lit theater erupted with lights, Yasmin Liverneaux Belkhodja, their formidable frontwoman, unleashed her incredible vocal ability. Her piercing shrieks and guttural growls echoed through the venue, perfectly matched by the band's raw, powerful energy. As they tore through tracks from their three 2023 EPs, the crowd was left charged and eager for more. With such an intense start, Face Yourself definitely primed the crowd for the rest of the show.
Next up was Vitriol, delivering a relentless barrage of intensity. Their dense, brutal sound was a ferocious assault on the senses, characterized by insane guitar riffs, incessant blast beats, and deep, roaring vocals. The technical death metal band demonstrated precision, speed, and skill, with each member executing their parts flawlessly while maintaining a rawness that truly stood out.
Following Vitriol, The Zenith Passage took the stage, bringing a futuristic and atmospheric vibe that was both massive and clean. The band's complex, progressive, technical death metal showcased their impressive instrumentation and skill. With a lineup that includes a few ex-members of The Faceless, their set featured reality-warping guitar solos, intricate rhythms, and an intriguing sense of otherworldliness.
Humanity's Last Breath from Sweden brought a powerful stage presence. They featured deep, resonant vocals, rapid drumming, and a down-tuned guitar tone, creating a dense and chugging sound that was ripe with atmospheric dissonance. They seamlessly blended deathcore and djent with operatic elements, showcasing their technical precision and innovative approach. The focus remained on them as they dominated the stage, and their compelling presence was impossible to ignore. Each song resonated with intensity, captivating the audience with their unique sound and commanding performance.
One of the night’s highlights, Rivers of Nihil, maintained the experimental theme with their performance. As the lights dimmed, the band launched into their set with explosive energy, starting with "Sub-Orbital Blues," where Adam Biggs on vocals and bass absolutely dominated. The integration of a saxophone into their technical and progressive sound was uniquely captivating, adding a hauntingly melodic layer. The saxophone's smooth tones contrasted with the heavy guitar riffs and blast beats, creating a dynamic effect. Red lights beamed down and illuminated the band during a particularly brutal breakdown. This distinctive blend of elements made their performance a standout of the night.
By the time Carnifex took the stage, the crowd was looking a little sleepy. But as soon as the lights dimmed, the anticipation became palpable, and the band emerged onto a dark stage, greeted by deafening screams. The energy instantly surged as they launched into their set, with vocalist Scott Lewis delivering an incredible performance that even I, as a huge fan, wasn’t expecting. His screams and transitions into low growls were flawless, showcasing his impressive range. Guitarist Neil Tiemann shredded through solos with ease, adding layers of complexity to their brutal sound.
The crowd erupted during tracks like "Dragged Into the Grave," a song they hadn’t played live in years, as well as favorites like "Hell Chose Me" and "Lie to My Face." The highlight for many, including myself, was the closing track, "Drown Me in Blood." Fun fact: I once drove from Fort Collins to Cheyenne with the song on repeat to ward off an anxiety attack and because, frankly, I was feeling the song that hard. It felt good to scream it out loud in their faces with them. Carnifex blew me away, and I can't believe it has taken me so long to catch them live.
Finally, it was time for Cattle Decapitation. And let me just take a moment to say that Denver loves this band. I mean, Denver loves most metal, but the admiration we have for Cattle Decapitation is a force to be reckoned with; they feel like one of our own. Almost everyone I know has seen them multiple times, myself included.
Travis Ryan stepped onto the stage in a ski mask as the spotlights lit up the small venue, highlighting the distinctly painted Art Deco walls. His legendary "goblin screams"—raspy, high-pitched, and bizarrely unsettling—perfectly suited their extreme sound that manages to somehow defy all metal sub-genres. Guitarists Josh Elmore and Belisario Dimuzio were at their peak, delivering crushing riffs and intricate solos. They played tracks like "We Eat Our Young," "Forced Gender Reassignment," and "Bring Back the Plague," causing the crowd to catch their second wind and get riled up into a frenzy of circle pits and crowd surfing.
To fully grasp why Cattle Decapitation stands out, you have to see them live. Travis Ryan's stage presence is as unique as his vocals. The brutality of their music contains unexpected moments of clarity that shine within the chaos, leaving a lingering impression that I can’t adequately describe. Something about this band inspires me to fly my freak flag, unleash my inner weirdo, and set her loose upon the world. Their authenticity is undeniable, and I think that in itself is part of what makes their music and the messages they convey so powerful.
Overall, the night was a testament to the power of experimentation in heavy music. Each band brought something unique to the stage, from the progressive technicality of The Zenith Passage to the atmospheric brutality of Rivers of Nihil, and the sheer force of Carnifex. The heaviness of the music was matched only by the intensity of the performances, creating an electrifying atmosphere that kept the audience engaged. It was a night of innovation and raw power, proving that the boundaries of extreme metal are continuously being pushed and redefined.
