On Friday, October 24th, The Myth in Maplewood, MN, was for a night of heavy music that deathcore fans won’t soon forget. Had he known, I’m sure the insane number of people packed wall-to-wall inside the venue would’ve made the city’s Fire Marshall nervous. Four bands—Peelingflesh, Shadow of Intent, Black Dahlia Murder, and Lorna Shore—delivered crushing sets that had the room moving from start to finish, making it one of the heaviest nights I’ve ever experienced.
Peelingflesh opened the night with fast, heavy riffs that grabbed everyone’s attention. Even though I hadn’t heard of this band before, they certainly left an impression. The crowd started moving right away, headbanging, pumping their fists, and forming small pits throughout the floor. Vocalist Damonteal Harris sounded possessed, yet continuously smiled like a kid in a candy store. Peeling Flesh set the tone for the night, letting everyone know the heavy would not stop.
Shadow of Intent came next, bringing a mix of speed and melody that kept everyone hooked. Over the last several albums, I have come to love this band more and more. Most of their setlist consisted of songs from their latest album, “Imperium Delerium,” and hearing them live made the music feel even more powerful. Fans were moving the whole time, headbanging, screaming, and moshing near the stage. The band sounded tight and precise, and the green lights, shadows, and strobes kept the show alive from start to finish.
Black Dahlia Murder followed with songs from their impressive discography. I loved that nearly half of their setlist featured songs from their classic album Nocturnal. From “What a Horrible Night to Have a Curse” to “Everything Went Black,” the band was unrelenting. Every blast beat, guitar riff, and scream landed right. Even in the small space, the performance felt huge, and the audience was fully into it, especially the older guys. Black Dahlia Murder ended their set with “Funeral Thirst” and “Deathmask Divine,” proving they are the OG’s of their genre.
Lorna Shore closed the night with a set that was crushing and intense. They sounded massive as they opened their set with “Oblivion” and “Unbreakable” and fed off the energy of a small venue. Will Ramos’ vocals are unreal; from deep growls to high screams, you’re not sure if you’re hearing man or beast. Drummer Austin Archey was enthroned above everyone on a high riser and played with intensity. The rest of the band played like a single machine, riffing perfectly, and the drops hit soooo hard. The crowd’s chaos matched every step of the way.
I was surprised that they played more songs off of their album “Pain Remains” than they did their latest release, “I Feel the Everblack Festering Within Me,” but I wasn’t complaining. I love songs like “Sun//Eater,” “Cursed to Die,” and “Into the Earth.” The highlight of the evening was an incredibly extended encore- the band played all three parts of “Pain Remains.” By the end of the night, The Myth was buzzing. Every band played tight, sounded heavy, and filled the room with energy, but Lorna Shore left the biggest mark. For anyone getting into metal or deathcore, this was a tour full of nonstop intensity that you don’t want to miss.
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