It has been several years since Decapitated has been in the states touring, the last time was cut short due to unforseen events. These death metal veterans are now back traveling with a tour de force. The 2024 Cancer Culture tour with Septic Flesh, Kataklysm and Allegaeon at Pittsburgh’s own Preserving. Preserving has become a go to venue to catch heavy acts traveling through the area.  A former church serves not only as a place for concerts but, also a full record store and museum dedicated to heavy music. It’s a must stop for any one into heavy music and the touring band scene. 

Opening the night was Allegaeon, hitting the stage they werr full of energy warming up the crowd. Concert goers were head banging and push moshing away as the band played through Iridescent into Of Beasts and Worms. The guitar work of Greg Burgess and Micheal Stancel were on point throughout the set as the guys egged at each other while keeping the energy high and playful. Vocalist Ezra Haynes also kept the crowd engaged through out as he paced the stage furiously. 

Kataklysm was next churning an already excited crowd into the gears of a machine. Their grinding death metal styling got the crowd moving and churning along. Kicking things off with Goliath the band kept a relentless pace. Crowd surfers and moshers a like threw down as the band ripped through Crippled and Broken and Bringer or Vengeance before closing out. 

Septic Flesh came out with their own flare of symphonic death metal. The crowd at this point was like an open sea with ebb and flow to each beat like waves reverberating. Each song having a grand cadence, marching their fans even further into the chaos. Kicking off with Portrait of a Headless Man, a blanket of fog and blistering strobes set the mood. The band played throughNecromancer and Martyr as the crowd continued to thrash and sway, other standout performances were Persepolis, and Anubisbefore closing out with Dark Art. Many times vocalist SpirosAntoniou, addressed the crowd thanking them with arms raised to the sky, for all of the welcoming energy and support as they came a long way from Greece to be here with everyone.

Decapited closed out the night. As the last few bars of From Whom the Bell Tolls played out the stage went dark, kicking right into From the Nothingness with Love right into CancerCulture, the crowd exploded. Moshers and crowd surfers went off, so much so that guitarist Waclaw ‘Vogg’ Kieltyka addressed the crowd asking them to watch rushing the stage. The chaos kicked right back up as the band ripped through Just a Cigarette. Other stand outs from the night were Sphere of Madness, EarthScar and Iconoclast, which the band dedicated to Vitek their former drummer who had passed. 

Cancer Culture 2024 tour is running until May 19^th where it wraps in Los Angeles, Ca. If you have a chance to catch this tour live, you won’t be disappointed, just be prepared to mosh or crowd surf to your hearts desire.

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George Archibald

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Sum 41 came into Baltimore on their final tour, Bringing along with them The Interrupters and openers Joey Valence & Brea. 

Joey and Brea opened up and I wasn’t quite expecting to hear the type of music they play. It’s a cool sorta tribute/Style of the Beastie Boys. They had super energy and was a fun way to open up the show. 

The interrupters played next. They are a ska/punk band from LA. This band had super energy as well the guitarists were jumping all over the stage and singer Aimee was a bundle of joy to watch on stage such an amazing voice but also looks like she’s having so much fun on stage and interacting with the crowd . 

This was my first and I guess last time I’ve seen Sum 41. I remember when “All Killer No Filler”album came out they were everywhere. My friends were into the punk scene and I checked them out. I loved the energy and remember watching a home video they sold with crazy antics and shooting water guns at drivers and cars. 

The set list was a good mix of old and new with the latest and last album “Heaven x Hell” having a good chunk of that set list. I was happy to hear “Fat Lip” live and was blown away by them doing a few seriously metal songs. They did a cool version of “We Will Rock You” and did a cover of Social Distortions version of “Ring of Fire”. 

The crowd was filled at pier 6. Young and old were among the crowd that were mostly ur late 30s punk kids and the new wave of punk kids. It was a super fun show and I’m glad to say I’ve seen Sum 41 play at least one show. If you get a chance to check them out while they’re on the final tour go do it, even if it’s just for a quick stroll down the nostalgia highway. 

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Ron

Ron has keen eye for new talent, a love for the underground, and a tremendous passion for music of any genera. You’ll probably bump into him at a horror convention or some seedy club checking out the next need-to-know band.

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GWAR invaded the Baltimore Soundstage once again bringing with them Fuming Mouth and Cancer Bats. Oh yeah and lots of blood. 

Fuming Mouth opened up the set. Hailing from Massachusetts, Fuming Mouth got the crowd in a frenzy. Demanding the crowd to circle pit and do a wall of death. Singer/guitarist Mark Whelan also was wearing a GWAR shirt. Fuming mouth was fast and angry and got the crowd ready for the night. 

Cancer Bats who come all the way from Toronto Canada were up next. This in your face hardcore band got the crowd right back into going crazy. Singer Liam Cormier was all over the stage. Cancer Bats did a kick ass version of Beastie Boys “Sabotage” and since this was the last show on the tour Sawborg Destructo from GWAR came out on stage sang “War Pigs” from sabbath before killing Liam. 

GWAR was up next. This was the first time for us in Baltimore to see the newest addition to GWAR guitarist Grodious Maximus ( he’s not Pustulus). Of course when GWAR comes into town you know chaos and madness will ensue and there will be blood. While I was in the photo pit getting prepared for the onslaught of blood I was grabbed by the back of my hoodie by bonesnapper as he was battling against Sawborg and the blood went gushing all over my back. 

GWAR always puts on a hell of a show and the fans came out in full selling out the soundstage. Lots wearing white shirts to keep as bloody souvenirs. There also was an appearance by jesus as this was the day before easter. GWAR played a good set mixed in with new and old songs, some I haven’t heard for a while. 

The band always puts on a hell of a show. Blothar, Balsac, Jizmak, and Beefcake thrash and trash the stage always. Grodious was an amazing addition, not only did he slay on that guitar but was all over the stage and a few times jumped off stage to jump into the front of the crowd . Even Balsac joined in on the fun and made his was to the Merch area while the band was playing. 

I love going to GWAR shows. It’s always a family reunion with fans of GWAR all reuniting for the enjoyment of horror and rock music. You never know who’s going to be there. Even President Joe Biden was there , he may have been a little confused and eventually annoyed GWAR enough that they took off his head and yes the blood hit the crowd. 

About Author

Ron

Ron has keen eye for new talent, a love for the underground, and a tremendous passion for music of any genera. You’ll probably bump into him at a horror convention or some seedy club checking out the next need-to-know band.

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