Photos/Review: Andrew Bastion

Chaos and Carnage Tour Review: Jergels Pittsburgh PA

This year’s chaos and carnage tour lineup is one for the memory books, with heavy hitters in the deathcore and death metal scene from all over. Since the announcement of Distant, Upon a burning Body, Lorna Shore, Carnifex and Suicide Silence , The buzz was built. Then the special guests of Angelmaker and Signs of the Swarm are cherry to the top of one of the best deathcore tours of the year.

Upon arriving to Jergels an hour before doors, the lines were already outstretched beyond the parking lot, a great sign of how the show would be. With the doors open, and line still flooding the lot, the show was pushed back by a 10 minute delay to try to help get guests into the venue.

The band Distant, neatherlands deathcore, was the first band to take the stage. Stuck in the line I was only able to catch the final three songs for the band But the performance set the bar for all the other acts of the day. Filling in on guitar for Distant for the tour is Jordan Milner of The Breathing Process, which made this show a little bit of a homecoming for the pittsburgh native. By the final song, the crowd was spinning, headbanging, and had the room already shoulder to shoulder.

Up next was Pittsburghs own Signs of the Swarm, who opened their set with Hymns of Invocation. The next song they performed was Revalations of a silent king, followed by their first time performing their song The Collection live in Pittsburgh ft Alan of Distant and Nick of Distinguisher lending their Vocal talents to the mix. The band finished with their song Death Totem, and then onto Deathcore’s 7piece Angelmaker.

As the guys of Angelmaker fill the stage- the crowd started pressing forward. The band ripped right into Slaughter and Vengence to start their set with speed and brutality. Without much hesistation or time between songs, the guys kept commanding the crowd and brought all the energy as you would expect. To close their set, the band closed with their popular song LEECH to the entire crowd chanting the beginning line “YOU’RE A FUCKING COWARD…”

Up next was Texas powerhouse Upon a Burning Body, riding off the momentum of their new album Fury they brought extra hype and energy. Performing a solid mix of old and new songs their set was very well welcomed. Danny Leal and the guys had the crowd jumping, commanding circle pits,and having a party vibe the entire set. Closing their set with Texas Blood Money, the last thing you hear is “Don’t Fuck With Texas” with the Horns in the air.

Only halfway through the show and the crowd was already restless awaiting the current Viral, and deathcore giants Lorna Shore. Riding the flow and talent brought upon with the aquisition of Will Ramos on Vocals, the band opened up their set with Immortal. Though with the blistering drums and precise execution of the guitars the set didnt start without a hitch. There were issues with the Main vocal microphone, resulting in the first song and a half being mainly instrumental. Upon taking the side stage microphone the vocals return to the set and was met with a Roar of screams from the crowd during And I Returned to Nothingness. Alan of Distant made another guest appearance during the song Death Portrait for the final brutal breakdown, throwing his style into the mix. Lorna Shore is at the top of their game, and only getting better live with no sign of slowing down any time soon. The band ended their set with their Hit song To The Hellfire.

Up next were the two co-headliners of this stacked lineup. Carnifex played the first slot at this show and did not dissapoint starting their set with their Hit “Slit Wrist Savior”. Playing a heavy slew of old and new, carnifex kept the energy pumping only to slow for a moment to make a dedication to the late great Trevor of The Black Dahlia Murder. Shawn opened up to the crowd stating that Without the band The black dahlia murder, there wouldn’t be a Carnifex and that even though they are on stage, they are equally as broken as everyone else. A strong sentiment in the wake of the passing. Closing their set with Hell Chose Me.

The Final band on the bill, and one I have been waiting for all day was Suicide Silence. Always being one of my favorites since The Cleansing, the band played a solidified mix of old with some teasers of new music. The set didn’t go off without a hitch as Marks guitar was out for the first few songs before he grabbed a replacement. What was hoping to be a quick repair resulted in him getting to break in a brand new guitar he purchased during this tour. With the Humor of Eddie, and interactions with the crowd, the show was more than entertaining.

Eddie took a moment to speak about trevor while engaging the crowd asking what was his “move”. In reference to the Ape Arms pumping in the air, eddie commanded the crowd to start and not stop for the entirety of the song “You Can’t Stop Me” in which was dedicated to him.

I would give the tour a 15/10 rating as the best show that I’ve attended in the longest time! Can’t wait to see what can possibly top this one.

About Author

George Archibald

See author's posts