A Night of Black Metal Bliss

October 9, 2024 Sunray Magazine

DEICIDE October 1 at The Niles Theater, Arizona

I’ve been eagerly awaiting Cloak‘s return to the desert, and their performance did not disappoint. This American band’s unique blend of thrashy black metal and occult gothic doom is a force to be reckoned with. Their music is both powerful and atmospheric, creating a genuinely dark and i mmersive experience.

Cloak‘s stage presence is captivating. They embody the eerie, otherworldly nature of their music, using interludes to ground themselves and enhance the overall performance. Their melodic guitar riffs and Scott Taysom‘s gravelly vocals are a perfect match, and don’t be fooled by the melodic elements Cloak can deliver intense, blistering moments, as evidenced by their crushing blast beats. I highly recommend checking out their album “Black Flame Eternal.”

This was my first experience with INFERI, and I was impressed by the dedicated fanbase that gathered to support them. The band’s interaction with the crowd was fantastic, with vocalist Sam Schneider even inviting audience members to sing along. Their energy was infectious, and it was clear that they were having a blast on stage.

Brazilian metal veterans KRISIUN followed with a career spanning set that had the crowd roaring.

Their powerful performance showcased their incredible skill and longevity, and the audience was more than happy to sing along to classics like “Ravager” and “Sentenced Morning.” Of course, no Krisiun set would be complete without a performance of “Black Force Domain,” which the crowd demanded with unwavering enthusiasm.

Let me set the scene DEICIDE : Steve Ashiem (drummer) walks to his kit, fans yelling “lets go”, “Steve rules” and random clapping. Glen is next up onstage with the same types of accolades.

Glen looks back to Steve and a short conversation of (I think) “these f@ckers are ready” as guitar players Kevin Quirion and Tylor Nordberg take the stage. Glen slowly walks up to the mic “turn this shit off” (house music). Then boom right outta the gate its Deicide and you know you’re about to be taken on a ride! Seamlessly fitting alongside their earlier material. skillfully navigating the subtler moments of tracks like “Sacrificial Suicide,” which earned mid song bursts of applause from the audience.

Deicide delivered a tight, energetic set, highlighted by Benton’s powerful vocals. I chatted with a few attendees who me ntioned it was their first time seeing Deicide, making this tour a fantastic introduction for newcomers and a treat for old school fans eager to hear some classics. I cant wait to see them again, and again……. Overall, this was an unforgettable night of black metal.

Cloak, Inferi, Krisiun, and Deicide delivered exceptional performances that left a lasting impression. I can’t wait to see them again.