The yearly summer metal fest Summer Slaughter hit Webster Hall last week with a packed lineup ready to takeover the venue. The lineup included Ingested, Slaughter to Prevail, Carnifex, Suffocation, After the Burial, Nile and Cannibal Corpse as the main headliners. This year’s summer slaughter was the first in recent years to be split between both the Marlin Room and the Grand Ballroom; Ingested, Slaughter to Prevail, Krisiun, Carnifex and Revocation took over the Marlin Room while Suffocation, After the Burial, Nile and Cannibal Corpse played in the Grand Ballroom. Sadly, if you are a fan of bands who played at the same time you might have had to miss one. However, you were easily able to switch from one floor to the other via the staircase, making it easier to catch all the bands playing the show. Just watch out for all the spilled beer.
The first band we found upon our arrival was After the Burial, whom we last covered during their Gramercy Theatre show in support of the Sumerian Records 10th Anniversary show. Perhaps the most distinctive band on the bill, as a progressive metal/metalcore band, Summer Slaughter bridges the gap between the the metalcore and the death metal scene by uniting them both under one venue. While many death metal fans do not follow the metalcore scene, much of the venue welcomed After the Burial with open arms, moshing at every queue. Lead singer Anthony Nortamaso is known for his energetic on stage persona, jumping along with the crowd during every breakdown. If there is something that makes the metal core genre so energetic, it’s the breakdowns.
Fans, new and old were feeling brave, crowd surfing up to the stage one after another. The ground beneath your feet shake along to every down beat. As done during every show, the band payed tribute to deceased member, Justin Lowe. Although the band has gone through a transitioning period after Lowe’s death, fans have stuck by the bands side and have continued to support the band through every album release and tour. To watch After The Burial perform at Summer Slaughter, click here.
Second in line to play the Grand Ballroom was technical death metal band, Nile. Nile adds a bit more of an artistic element to their music. All members are greatly inspired by the works of H.P. Lovecraft, therefore much of their music is based on the author’s work. Nile proved to be a crowd favorite, packing in more of a crowd than there was before. To get a taste of Nile’s live show, watch their performance here. Meanwhile, Revocation was beginning to destroy the Marlin Room.
The Marlin Room is a much smaller version of the Grand Ballroom. No photo pit, no balcony, just a small room where the stage and audience floor is attached to each other with no barrier. The size of the room and the ability to literally touch the artist, adds a special element to the show. Although Revocation was not playing the Grand Ballroom, it did not mean they wouldn’t draw a large crowd to the lower level. The mosh pit took over the center of the room while those who did not want to partake would stick to the back or sides of the room. Revocation, also a technical death metal band, was expected to be as energetic as the rest of the bands on the bill. To watch Revocation’s live performance at the show, watch a short footage of the show here.
The headliners of the night Cannibal Corpse approached the stage in darkness, while fans erupted with cheers and excitement. All death metal bands carry an incredible amount of energy onstage, however, Cannibal Corpse might stand within their own lane. Not only has the band stirred up controversy for their explicit lyrics, but their live show is one of the heaviest, darkest and most overwhelming in the genre. The band has a long history of criticism over their dark imagery and lyrics, however, lead singer George Fisher describes it as a form of art not to be taken literally. The band openly states that they do not condone violence, but hope the show is an outlet for those who find their music to be sonic therapy. To hear more on the subject, watch their interview here.
A sonic therapy is just what it is for every fan who witnesses a Cannibal Corpse show. The heavy musical arrangement, gore influenced lyrics, and aggressive nature of the live show is what draws so many fans to the band. While they may not be everyone’s cup of tea, the band surely delivers a cathartic experience to fans of the metal community. The bands show, although ruthless, feels like a family. There’s nothing like sharing energy at a live show with fellow fans who enjoy it just as much as you do.
As expected, Cannibal Corpse broke the record for most crowd surfing fans of the night. Words don’t do the band’s live show justice, so to witness for yourself, watch some fan footage of their set here.
For remaining tour dates, see below:
8/08 – SEATTLE, WA @ SHOWBOX SODO
8/10 – SAN FRANCISCO, CA @ THE REGENCY BALLROOM
8/11 – SANTA ANA, CA @ THE OBSERVATORY
8/12 – LOS ANGELES, CA @ THE NOVO
8/13 – TEMPE, AZ @ THE MARQUEE
8/15 – DALLAS, TX @ GAS MONKEY LIVE
8/16 – AUSTIN, TX @ EMPIRE CONTROL ROOM
8/17 – HOUSTON, TX @ WAREHOUSE LIVE
8/19 – RICHMOND, VA @ THE NATIONAL
8/20 – WILMINGTON, NC @ ZIGGY’S BY THE SEA
8/21 – ATLANTA, GA @ THE MASQUERADE
After The Burial:
Nile:
Revocation:
Cannibal Corpse:
