Tribulation, A night of shadows, demons, and black metal

With over two decades in the business and in the midst of their promotional tour for their latest album, “Sub Rosa in Æternum,” the Swedish band Tribulation landed at Uniclub on February 13th. This new continental tour, which brought them to the Abasto venue, included six stops spanning from Mexico to Chile and is titled “Sub Rosa in Latin America,” accompanying the album released in 2024 by Century Media Records. For this visit—and the entire tour—they were joined by special guest Luana Dametto, the powerful Brazilian drummer from the band Cripta, who added a more forceful punch to the Swedes’ repertoire. They dubbed her the “demon drummer.”

Before the first chords of “The Unrelenting Choir” rang out, the local act was Rhaug, a Death/Black Metal quartet who released their self-titled debut album in 2024 and supported Harakiri For The Sky on their last visit in 2025. Their performance by these four hooded figures stood out for its precision, showcasing a tight and solid setlist that clearly demonstrated the band’s current and future potential.

Rhaug

Once this opening act concluded, around 9 PM, the first chords of “Sub Rosa in Æternum” began, initiating a musical journey through the different stages of Tribulation’s career. Twelve songs delighted the audience, among which “The Lament” stood out, marking the end of the first part of the set. The curtain then fell after two fundamental pieces from their repertoire, “Melancholia” and “Strange Gateways Beckon,” had resonated throughout the show. Thus concluded a little over 90 minutes from a band that continues to demonstrate its constant evolution, positioning them as one of the most creative forces in the Swedish gothic metal scene.

Photos and Review by Carlos Daly Aurenty

Produced by Noiseground