Welcome to the 2026 Decibel Magazine Tour. Another Death-heavy line up- I’m certainly getting my Death Metal education this month. Traditionally a Doom, Sludge, and Black Metal enthusiast, I’ve had a general grasp of the Death Metal scene and history, but less live experience with these bands. I’m glad to say this show definitely was a great showcase of the diversity and energy this subgenre has to offer.

Blood Monolith

Opening the show was Blood Monolith, whose debut release The Calling of Fire was released in 2025. While new in formation, its members boast pedigrees that include both the punk and grindcore scenes; now taking a swift swerve into their own take on Death Metal. Taking the stage to an ominous backing track, a few quick kicks followed by a count in on the snare, and the band went full throttle into a blaze of blast beats and bone melting guitar before sinking into a mid temp chug. What struck me as the set progressed was an alternating pattern of brutality, groove, and near-doom style riffs that make it clear Blood Monolith brings their own twist to the genre. Definitely an easy addition to my regular rotation, I picked up their LP and can’t wait to see how this band continues to progress.

Spirit Adrift

Much respect to second on stage, Spirit Adrift, who shared with the crowd they joined onto the tour with six days notice. (Note: slated band Fulci was sidelined due to visa processing issues.) Add to this they stood strong as the lone Doom metal band in a sea of Death Metal. Both the crowd and myself welcomed them with open arms. After all, most metal fans listen to a wide expanse of genres, and Spirit Adrift definitely has built an air of respect over the years. I had been taking in their newest release, Infinite Illumination, in the weeks leading up to the show and was excited to see it translated to the stage. A bitter sweet punch to the chest was delivered by vocalist/guitarist Nate Garrett that this was to be Spirit Adrift’s last album as the band is coming to a close at the end of this tour. Garrett shared on stage his wife is battling cancer, and, without delving further, we wish him the best and acknowledge his passion and contribution to metal.

Necrot

Third on stage was the band I had seen live several times before and am always hoping to see again, Necrot. The Oakland-based Death Metal trio formed in 2011 and have been very much DIY over the years, only recently signing to Metal Blade Records. Their 2024 release, and third full-length LP, Lifeless Birth, is one of my standards. While Necrot can wield aggression with the best of them, there is an underside of filth and groove that add an insidious creeping horror to their sound as well.

The crowd, now jam- packed, was full throttle into stage diving and moshing. Frontman and bassist Luca Indrio, welcomed crowd surfers and stage divers with open arms: and one admonishment… not to take “the walk of shame” down the side steps: if you get on stage, the only way off is into the crowd. If the comment was inspired by an offending party, it didn’t happen again, and the stage became a steady stream of bands, fans, and security and crew making sure the two shared the stage without colliding.

Necrot to me is one of those bands whose shows always feel like home; maybe a filthy, squalid hovel filled with lovable rejects, but unifying one nonetheless.

Cryptopsy

With the crowd at full force, it was time for headliners, Cryptopsy, to take the stage. Celebrating the 30th anniversary of their pivotal 1996 release, None So Vile, members took the stage to Metallica’s For Whom The Bell Tolls, which only added to the sense of anticipation and drama. The band launched their set at full force with Slit Your Guts, and that energy wouldn’t let up until the band slammed into the last notes of Malicious Needs to close their set.

One notable aspect of the show that I still can’t shake, is how downright jovial and enthusiastic vocalist Matt McGachy is. Beneath the guttural vocals and physicality of his performance, was a connection with the crowd that never let anyone forget who the show was for. There was an air of downright fun amongst the catharsis that comes with letting loose at an extreme metal show. Incessantly provoking the circle pit, nodding and pointing to the crowd to indicate his approval, there was a he was in constant communication with the audience. An extreme metal frontman turned ringmaster: conducting not so much the stage, but the entire crowd itself.

Behind him, an epic lineup to make sure the crowd had plenty of fodder to fuel their drive: Flo Mounier (drums), Christian Donaldson (guitar), and Olivier Pinard Bass). It’s worth noting that Flo Mounier is the only current member to have been a recording member on None So Vile. The band itself is a machine, blasting through songs primarily from None So Vile, but also featuring selections from An Insatiable Violence and Blasphemy Made Flesh, and As Gomorrah Burns.