Local in Fargo, ND: Maul, Torment, and Vessels at Dempsey’s
Aqua Night at Demps is a 100% free event and will be back in February with some awesome bands. 9:30 Music • Free Event • 21+ Only
***sadly Dempsey’s Night at Aqua tonight is cancelled due to injury of a member (everyone is safe just a little banged up). Hardwood Groove will be back on the Dempsey’s stage May 15th***
First off, can I just rant for a moment about the metal community’s obsession with dogging on larger bands for “selling out,” while simultaneously not doing the work to find and support up-and-coming bands? So let me hold your hand and introduce you to some local talent — especially good to know if you’re a fan on a budget.
Metal is a genre overflowing with talent and creativity. What that means is that small scenes and local bands are delivering incredible music right to your front door. Not to mention, I often feel that the energy is better at smaller venues.
So let’s use this as a little assignment. We aren’t going to passively read here. Get out your phone — I’m going to walk you through three Minnesota-based bands, and we’re going to give them a listen. Because that’s what metalheads do… at least those of us committed to keeping an ever-flowing stream of new bands and music moving through the community.
First on the Stage: Vessels
Vessels is a Fargo, ND–based progressive death/sludge band composed of four members: Davis Beattie on vocals and drums, Josh Sanborn on guitar, Austin Hovrud on guitar, and Mitch Rittenback on bass.
Here comes your homework. They have a six-track album out, Nebulos, available on several platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and TIDAL. Admittedly, it was a bit difficult to track them down on TIDAL, so if you’re having trouble locating them there, I recommend checking the Linktree on their Instagram page (@vessels.fargo). Now hit play — because that’s why you’re here, right?
For a night reaching –20°F, with emotions running high, it was a solid turnout. Vessels kicked off the evening with strong energy and some much-needed catharsis. I had familiarized myself with their new album leading up to the show and wasn’t surprised at all that they delivered.
As someone who leans heavily toward doom and black metal — though not to the exclusion of death metal or my beloved sludge gods Crowbar — the blend of death and sludge was both welcome and refreshing. Vessels delivered a great 45-minute set, with the final twelve minutes dedicated to their epic track, Nebulos.
Second to Take the Stage: Torment
Torment is a death metal band formed in 2016 out of Duluth, Minnesota. The lineup includes Kyle Rudd on guitar, Caden Dudek on vocals, Andrew Olson on drums, and Connor Slawson on bass. After adding Matt Erickson on guitar, the band expanded their sound and output.
Their releases include the Earth Burner demo from 2019, the full-length album Swallow Your Teeth released in 2022, and the The Pain EP from 2025. Assignment number two is the same as the first: pause your reading and put it on play. A quick tip — if you’re having trouble finding them on Spotify or TIDAL, they’re listed as Torment MN. I also managed to snag a physical copy for myself at the show.
Torment took the stage with energy that never let up throughout their set. A death metal band with the urgency and chaos of a hardcore act, they capitalized on a crowd already primed by Vessels and delivered a powerful performance.
As their set wound to a close, we were informed they were staring down a ten-hour drive to Milwaukee the following day. Tip your hats and send well wishes to our hard-working local bands.
Up Third: Tonight’s Headliner, Maul
Maul is a Fargo-based death metal band formed in 2017, consisting of Garrett Alvarado on lyrics and vocals, Anthony Lam on guitars, Robby Anderson on drums, Al Nikolas on bass and guitars, and Mike Griggs on bass.
On Bandcamp, Maul lists an extensive discography, beginning with several EPs and culminating in two LPs: Seraphic Punishment and Gallery of Torment, the latter being a compilation of previously released material. Another standout release is Extractions from the Tomb, a seven-song set recorded in 2020 at their rehearsal space. Do the thing — put it on and give it a listen.
After opening their set, frontman Garrett Alvarado called the crowd forward, who, in turn, responded with metal horns and even a few invisible oranges. With a dynamic set that ranged from fast and ferocious to doomy and crushingly heavy, Maul maintained aggression while locking into a strong sense of groove throughout. They even whipped the crowd into a small-scale circle pit, and as someone who enjoys a rowdy audience, the nostalgia of bracing for impact was very much appreciated.
Homework
Now it’s your turn. Stream Nebulos by Vessels from start to finish. Spend time with Swallow Your Teeth or The Pain by Torment MN. Dive into Maul’s Bandcamp catalog and sit with it for a while.
Follow these bands. Share their music. Buy a shirt, a tape, or a record if you can. This is how metal stays alive — not by arguing online, but by showing up, listening, and actively supporting the scene.
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