The 2019 Summer Slaughter Tour in NYC.

The annual Summer Slaughter Tour returned to New York City for many different Metalheads to experience one of the most celebrated and sometimes, most hated metal tours of the Summertime. The 2019 portion of the tour took a different direction this year, bringing forth a triple co-headliner set with Cattle Decapitation, Carnifex and The Faceless, with the three headliners playing nine to ten songs each. Supporting acts featured Rivers of Nihil, Nekrogoblikon, Lorna Shore and Brand of Sacrifice. Summer Slaughter was also brought to a more intimate venue, this time it took place at Le Poisson Rouge in the heart of Greenwich Village. For those who want to see the Summer Slaughter once again, this was a tour you could not miss. Cattle Decapitation played an extremely blistering set that really got the aggression going for many of the fans who really wanted to hear some death metal. The band even stated that they loved to play in much smaller venues as they loved to see all of their fans having an amazing time throughout the show. Vocalist Travis Ryan continued to scowl, scream and shout throughout the show. He also changes his vocal style every so often, from sounding like an extremely angry gremlin to a shrieking demon. The band also had the opportunity to premier a new song called “One Day Closer to the End of the World”, which will be featured on their next full length album, “Death Atlas!” Definitely a single to promote that is sure to gain new fans.

Deathcore band Carnifex has had a successful music career over the last 14 years. Their newest album, “World War X” was released the day after the tour stop in New York City, however, eager fans were able purchase a copy at the merch booth earlier that day at the venue! Carnifex blend a multitude of different genres in their music so well that their music could almost be considered Black Metal. Front man Scott Ian Lewis commanded the crowd at Summer Slaughter and dedicated fans obeyed. Lewis called for a circle pit which opened up immediately without hesitation. Rhythm guitarist Cory Arford provided headbanging backing and rhythm sections. Carnifex’s set list also featured hits like “Lie To My Face”, “Hell Chose Me” and “Drown Me In Blood”. Newer tracks such as “Bury Me In Blasphemy”, “Visions of the End” and “No Light Shall Serve Us” are fantastic tracks that are a great addition to their consistent discography of tightly crafted heavy deathcore.

The Faceless have been a Tech Death act that have had their share of obstacles for the last few years. While founding guitarist Michael Keene is a visionary who wants to making nothing but the best music, he and former bands mates experienced many creative differences, unfortunately unable to come to a collective agreement on the band’s direction. Nevertheless, Keene has revived The Faceless with a new lineup and are poised for a stronger than ever return with a fresh vision. Michael Keene shredded effortlessly during fantastic hits like “Xenochrist” and “The Ancient Covenant”. Fans were extremely excited to hear the The Faceless go full force on some of their most fantastic Technical Death Metal riffs to come out recently as current vocalist Julian Kersey belt out mind numbing shouts and brutal lows. The Faceless continue to defy all odds and have proven to be a band that is always exceptionally talented live.

It came as a surprise that Technical Death band Rivers of Nihil were set as an opening act given their rapid rise and progressive metal reputation in the Heavy Metal scene. With their latest album “Where Owls Know My Name” and single “A Home”, the one year old album has taken them further than they could ever imagine as a band on the Metal Blade Records roster. Rivers of Nihl’s Tech Death riffs blended with haunting jazzy saxophone carry an air of existentialism and enlightenment, especially live. I never thought I would see fans able to mosh to a saxophone as a main component in the progressive style of Rivers of Nihil’s music, yet the band never strays from their tech death roots. RoN vocalist brings a really nice range of scowls and frantic lows over the mic. Jake Dieffenbach, who struggles with tinnitus, has set the bar for anyone who says, “it can’t be done”. Rivers of Nihil are one of the most refined tech death metal bands to conquer Heavy Metal.

Many were puzzled but stoked to see Nekrogoblikon play on the Summer Slaughter stage as their style of music is somewhat out of the norm for the tour. Nekrogoblikon brought forth insane keyboard passages, heavy chugs, lyrics mentioning people dressing like Goblins, gimmicks and a troll named John Goblikon jumping about on stage. This band shapes up to be not only heavy for their fans, but humorously entertaining. Even with their schtick, Nekrogoblikon are indeed serious musicians who have taken the heavy metal scene by storm.

Lorna Shore’s brooding deathcore sound is a must see live, especially if you were hoping to see a band that plays some deathly heavy and proficient deathcore early on at Summer Slaughter. Lorna Shore carry some of the most heaviest and morbid breakdowns to come out of the deathcore genre in a very long time. Lorna Shore guitarist Adam De Micco is eccentric on riffs. Vocalist CJ McCreery really brings a range that pleasingly intense to listen to. Performing extremely terrifying lows and gutturals, the man truly has a portal to hell in his throat. Hearing all the heavy hits like “Flesh Coffin” and “Fvneral Moon” was a true treat for fans.

Brand of Sacrifice is one of the newer bands to be featured on the tour. Their representation of deathcore comes super intense and fast paced to the ears. Brand of Sacrifice showed no mercy on the stage. The crushing and heavy single “Slam” has vocals provided by Kyle Anderson which were delivered as pig squeals and gutturals. The band were fierce openers and were clearly meant for the hype of kicking off The Summer Slaughter tour and a new band for NYC metalheads to get into. BoS ravaged the crowd with punishing breakdowns and frenetic panic chords, all what Brand of Sacrifice seem to be pushing for in their live sets.

Summer Slaughter provided a bunch of fantastic enjoyment for all fans of extreme metal. No matter the lineup, The Summer Slaughter Tour offers up something good that everyone is more than likely to enjoy. Each year the tour manages to go above and beyond to ensure that all of their fans receive the heaviest and most brutal experience the tour has been known to bring over the years and we hope that 2020 will return them to the new and improved Webster Hall for old times sake!