Some of today’s top deathcore bands have assembled for the “Die Without Hope Tour” in early 2014. Leading the way are Carnifex, I Declare War, Here Comes the Kraken, Assassins, and Lorna Shore. Originally included in the touring package was Betraying The Martyrs which unfortunately had to withdraw due to visa issues. Eleven performances deep into the tour the bands stopped at Revolution in Amityville, NY Sunday March 9th to play to a nice crowd of motivated fans.
First up were New Jersey based band Lorna Shore. Together now four years, this metal band has been making some noise with their deathcore styling mixing progressive undertones. Consisting of Tom Barber (vocals), Adam DeMicco (guitar), Gary Herrera (bass), and Austin Archery (drums); these guys mean business combining some extremely technical guitar work and earth shattering vocals.
Making their way to the stage like a tidal-wave, Lorna Shore sent shivers down your spine with songs that express a variety of tones. This band deserves attention and opening this show definitely opened a lot of eyes.
Directly following was the Detroit, MI band Assassins. Formed in 2010, the band has been sending shock-waves through the extreme metal scene with a hard-hitting sound and thought-provoking lyrics. Recently signed to Good Fight Entertainment/eOne Records, the band releases their debut full-length album War Of Aggression this month. Lead by vocalist Todd Jansen, the line-up is rounded out by guitarist Dennis Tuohey, guitarist Steven Taylor, drummer Victor Ordonez, and bassist Anthony Gaglio.
Taking to the stage with force, the band belted out a set of powerful songs from their debut album to the pleasure of the audience. Mixing aggressive grooves with melodies, each song hit hard with Jansen’s dynamic vocals blaring over the top. Living the words he speaks, Jansen put on an impressive display of emotion while the entire band sounded tight and on-time. Assassins certainly woke up this crowd early on and there is a bright future for them as they continue to grow.
Next up were deathcore outfit Here Comes the Kraken from Aguascalientes, Mexico. Relentless in their approach, the 5-piece band consisting of Tts (vocals), Deivis (drums), Alex (guitar), Tore (guitar), and Alexa (bass) have ignited international interest with their world-wide touring over the years. Now three albums deep into their career their throat-grabbing sound continues to progress with technique and style on each release.
Erupting with deep death growls of Tts’ vocals and the heart attack inducing chugging of Alex and Tore’s guitars, Here Comes the Kraken took even these seasoned metal lovers by surprise. Showing will and determination to convey their powerful brand of metal, by the time the third song began the band had won the crowd and stimulated heavy moshing. Creating a wall full of thick sounds, Here Comes the Kraken had an amazing stage presence.
Following up the assault was Seattle, WA band I Declare War. Formed almost a decade ago, the band has five full-length albums and built a horde of fans along the way. Sustaining a series of line-up changes, the cast of Jamie Hanks (vocals), Gordon McPherson (bass), John Winters (guitar), Jacob Hansen (guitar), and Colin Bradford (drums) could be the tightest ensemble of the band to date. With their fifth studio album We Are Violent People by Nature due out April 15th, these guys are ready for battle.
Coming out like a freight train, the band provoked beautiful chaos on the stage and floor. With Hanks reaching down into the depths of his soul, he bellowed out some harsh screams while the doom and gloom of the music created an authority driven sound. The audience relished in every moment of the set with uninhibited moshing, stage diving, and screaming into Hanks microphone with him. While pouring out fountains of aggression during their set, it was also clearly evident that the band’s lyrics are opposing and serious. I Declare War left this audience on the brink of exhaustion, and that is exactly what a great performance is all about.
Last, but not least, Carnifex closed out the evening. As leaders of the deathcore scene since 2005, this San Diego, CA based band has exhibited passion and focus through tireless touring over the years. With their fifth studio album Die Without Hope out this month, the band is ready to make their biggest statement yet.
Taking the audience in a choke hold of control from the beginning, Carinfex bombarded Revolution. Mixing in tracks from their newest album with those off Until I Feel Nothing (2011) and The Diseased and the Poisoned (2008) was a great start to the set. Vocalist Scott Lewis showed no signs of fatigue in his battery of death metal growls even though he stated he was fighting a cold. Blast beats provided by Shawn Cameron combined with pulsing bass of Fred Calderon and guitar duo of Jordan Lockrey and Cory Arford had a core pit of fans moving non-stop. Fan-favorites like “Slit Wrist Savior” and “Lie To My Face” were just a few of the shining moments of their performance along with show stopping “Hell Chose Me”.
This was unquestionably an adrenaline rush of a performance by Carnifex and all the bands involved in the “Die Without Hope Tour”. Carnifex have proven to be at their very best on this tour and their latest album.
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