Pittsburgh has been blessed lately to have some amazing package tours come through our city. The metal genre undoubtedly is able to do this like no other genre due to its solid fanbase, supportive musicians, and lack of ego (for the most part). Last week The Chaos and Carnage tour touched down at The Rex Theater and blasted everyone’s ears off with the likes of Whitechapel, Dying Fetus, Revocation, Fallujah, Spite, Uncured, and Buried Above Ground. There were so many great bands with decent length sets that doors had to open at 4:30p.m.!
Whitechapel is out in support of their album, The Valley, which was just released March 29th. Dying Fetus, meanwhile, are still supporting their most recent disc, 2017’s Wrong One To Fuck With.
The tour launched April 18th at the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, New Jersey, and will wrap up May 17th at Ramkat in Winston Salem, North Carolina.
Whitechapel, as headliners, certainly proved why they have lasted from recognition out of Knoxville in 2006 to lasting to present day with seven studio releases, quite an accomplishment in today’s fickle market.
Vocalist Phil Bozeman has some of the sickest pipes in the business and it just pairs so well with the severity of sickness that Ben Savage and Alex Wade produce on their guitars. That is not to forget the pounding rhythm, held down by third guitarist Zach Householder, bassist Gabe Crisp, and touring drummer Alex Rudinger. (set: When a Demon Defiles a Witch,Forgiveness Is Weakness,Brimstone,Black Bear,The Void,Mark of the Blade,Elitist Ones,Make It Bleed, Dementia,Hate Creation,Brotherhood,Let Me Burn,Our Endless War, The Saw is The Law.
Dying Fetus has been a stalwart in the metal community, well, it seems like forever. The Maryland band can trace their origins all the way back to 1991 and in many ways have helped to define the sound of American death metal. More than likely it is their reality-based brutal lyricism that makes them stand out, along with the distinct hooks and riffs. Just like many metal bands that have stood the test of time, there have been many member changes, but it’s band leader John Gallagher who handles guitar and vocals that keep the band’s vision in the same direction. Sean Williams on bass and vocals and drummer Trey Williams round out the current line-up. Eight studio albums later these guys still bring it every show.
All the opening bands were amazing as well with Revocation being the biggest standout. Unfortunately, with the super early start, our photographer was only able to capture the final bands.
All photos MPapPhoto © 2019
