Italy’s Fleshgod Apocalypse have returned to the United States for an American tour supporting their latest release, Opera, their sixth full-length album.
The tour, however, is not a headlining run. Instead, the band is in the main support slot on Avatar’s Don’t Go in the Forest tour, which includes several days off. On those off days, Fleshgod Apocalypse steps into the role of headliner for four dates.
The first of those four shows was tucked between April 20 and April 22, when the band utilized an off day to headline a Tuesday night show at the historic Granada Theater in Dallas. This gave Fleshgod Apocalypse the opportunity to treat the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex to a bona fide headlining set rather than a shortened main support performance.
The road to Dallas was not without issues. The band encountered mechanical problems with their transportation en route from Albuquerque. Their arrival came late in the afternoon, but an efficient crew was able to set things up quickly.
Show time was originally slated for 7:00 p.m., but just 30 minutes later, the first notes from the opener rang out.
On the promotional flyer for Fleshgod Apocalypse’s four headlining dates, DFW’s own Frozen Soul—also on the Avatar tour—is listed as support, but they did not perform for the hometown crowd, opting instead for a rare day off at home. The night’s opener was a band from East Texas.
Even with the late arrival, Fleshgod Apocalypse promptly took the stage at approximately 8:15 p.m., give or take a few minutes.
With operatic vocalist Veronica Bordacchini stepping gracefully onto the center-stage riser to deliver “Ode to Art,” the crowd knew a special Tuesday night awaited. Her vocals capped the brutality to come with an elegant contrast.
Fleshgod Apocalypse didn’t rely solely on material from Opera. The setlist reached back to their 2011 release Agonywith “The Violation,” while also pulling from King, Veleno, and Labyrinth.
The selections offered a respectful representation of the band’s catalog, and the DFW fans seemed to agree.
Mechanical issues may have delayed the band slightly, but the mechanics onstage were unaffected. Fleshgod Apocalypse moved through the set with precision. As the red Lamborghini-themed shirt available for purchase stated, the band’s horsepower was fully on display.
This was not Fleshgod Apocalypse’s first time gracing a stage in the Dallas–Fort Worth area. Just like previous dates in the past, the crowd was fully invested.
A Tuesday night with Fleshgod Apocalypse, followed by the Wednesday grind just hours later, proved well worth the sacrifice to venture out. Those who didn’t attend missed out.
The remaining three dates featuring Fleshgod Apocalypse in headlining mode are Monday, April 27, in St. Louis; Sunday, May 17, in Albany; and Montreal the following day.
Be the first to comment