Live Review by: Ashley Parrish
Photos by: Bre Sheridan
Denver, CO – Tuesday night at the Oriental Theater was all about searing guitar solos and heavy metal mastery. The Beyond the Black tour, headlined by Venom Inc. with direct support by Salem’s Childe, also featured standout performances from Denver’s own NightWraith and Torn From Existence.
Built in 1927, the historic theater offers an intimate setting with clear views of the stage from anywhere in the room, thanks to its open layout, tiered floors, and open design. Persian-inspired murals catch the eye, while subtle touches like the original Art Deco light fixtures add a sense of borrowed nostalgia, making it a unique and exciting place to catch a show.
Opening the night with relentless intensity combined with melodic refinement, Torn from Existence set a high bar for the evening’s performances. Their six-song set featured four tracks from their debut album, Hearken the Darkened Skies, alongside two new songs: “Annihilate Everything” and “Blood on the Wall.” Guitarist David Couch wasted no time showcasing his sharp, precise riffage, offering an early glimpse of the guitar mastery that would define the evening's lineup. Balancing brutality with moments of eerie, euphonic reprieve, Rhiannon Wisniewski’s work on keys added a symphonic edge to their sound. Transitioning between scathing high-pitched screams and deep, death metal growls, Frontman Craig Rosplock's vocal delivery complimented the band's balance of melody and heaviness, with the thunderous double bass underscoring the crushing lows.
NightWraith kept the momentum going with their innovative blend of elaborate guitar work, groove-heavy rhythms, and atmospheric flourishes. Combining progressive rock elements with the intensity of death metal, their sound was expansive, hard-hitting, but not so easy to define. Since forming in 2016, the band has refined their style across several albums, and their precision and dynamic songwriting were apparent throughout their set.
Guitarists Benjamin Pitts (also on vocals) and Igor Panasewicz led with sharply honed riffs that added depth to their dark, layered sound. Adding to the haunting tone was keyboardist Lauren Vieira, making her live debut with the band. Playing songs from their September 2024 release, Divergence, NightWraith delivered a genuine and impressive performance.
Salem’s Childe, hailing from Kokomo, Indiana, brought serious energy to the stage, mixing classic and modern metal with confidence and cohesion. Frontman Johnny Oravsky led the charge with high energy and an effortless connection to the audience. Having toured with acts like Doyle and Pissing Razors, the band showcased their experience and stage presence with a ten-song set featuring tracks from across their discography.
While much of the set consisted of songs off their 2024 release, Unbound, they also played a few songs from their 2020 debut, The Sin That Saves You, including "Warpath." Additionally, they included "Sleepwalking" from their 2016 EP Paradise Lost and "Sacred Sun," a single released in 2019. Their sound leaned heavily on thrash, with touches of progressive and groove elements, delivering a tight, energetic performance that perfectly set the stage for the night’s headliner.
Venom Inc, arrived later than planned, due to some bus issues earlier in the day. Despite the delay and with no time to unload, as soon as Salem’s Childe wrapped up, they wasted no time jumping on their gear and launching into their hour-long set. The situation shows just how unpredictable things can get and how adaptable you must be in the realm of live music. Still, the pioneers of black metal embraced the chaos and delivered a crushing performance.
Venom Inc. was formed in 2015 as an offshoot of the original Venom by former members of the band. The current lineup for Venom Inc.’s Beyond the Black tour features Tony “Demolition Man” Dolan on bass and vocals, Marc “JXN” Jackson on drums, and Curran “Beleth” Murphy on guitar, who joined in December after former guitarist Jeffrey “Mantas” Dunn stepped down due to health issues. Their set combined classic Venom tracks with newer material. Fan favorites like “Don’t Burn the Witch,” “Black Metal,” and “Welcome to Hell” got a noticeable surge from the audience, as did the closer, “Sons of Satan.” They played nearly twenty songs, even carving out time for hefty drum and guitar solos.
Overall, it was a great show from start to finish. Each band brought a unique sound while showcasing their impressive technical skill. The sound quality was excellent throughout, and for a Tuesday night, the turnout was solid. Wrapping up by 11 p.m. made the show feel perfectly paced. It was easily one of the best shows I've attended in recent memory.
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