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The Black Dahlia Murder in Montreal
On a Tuesday night, Montreal’s MTELUS swelled with an impressive turnout—a testament to the city’s die-hard metalheads who’ll throw down any day of the week. With a diverse lineup, the evening promised a journey through death metal’s many shades, featuring three lesser-known bands setting the stage for brutal death metal pioneers Dying FEtus and genre veterans The Black Dahlia Murder. The crowd was a mix of dedicated fans and familiar faces from Montreal’s alternative scene, with the OGs showing up in force to honour the genre’s most influential acts. The night was set for pure chaos, and Montreal’s metal faithful came ready to make it unforgettable.
Vomit Forth
The night kicked off with Vomit Forth, a band that leans right into the absurdly theatrical and grimy aspects of death metal. Armed with a “one-chord” approach and eerie samples that wove a horror-movie vibe, the pit immediately whipped itself into a frenzy. The vocalist, relentless and almost merciless, engaged in a bit of crowd bullying, egging fans on and taunting them to get more intense, which only fueled the madness on the floor. Known for their unapologetically raw style and recent album release, Vomit Forth brought an entertaining, albeit a little cheesy, performance that reveled in its own dark humor and heavy simplicity.
AngelMaker
AngelMaker took the stage next, and the energy in the room escalated fast. Hailing from Vancouver, this seven-piece powerhouse is known for its razor-sharp technical death metal—a sound so intricately layered that it feels like a dense wall washing over you. With two vocalists, each taking turns at high-speed growls and gutturals, they created a near-mirage effect, blending their vocals so tightly at times that it sounded like one monstrous voice. As if to enhance the surrealness, the fry vocalist performed barefoot, adding a primal touch as he stomped into the photo pit, headbanging alongside the crowd during breakdowns. Their set culminated with fan-favourite “Leech,” with the crowd shouting back every lyric. AngelMaker’s breakdowns are nothing short of a masterclass in avoiding cheese; they hit hard, are complex, and have relentless precision. The crowd responded with roaring chants, and barefoot vocalist capped off their set, hanging around the stage with his beer, visibly as hyped as the fans.
Spite
Next came Spite, turning the room dark and ominous with their unique blend of death metal and hardcore. Spite’s sound was incredibly well-polished—each track delivered like a sledgehammer to the gut. The vocalist, dressed in rugged coveralls, took on a whole new persona on stage, contorting and exorcising his inner demons with each scream. Their slow, punishing grooves struck a killer contrast to the frenetic moments, creating this cycle of tension and release that kept the crowd locked in. While their set grew a bit repetitive, Spite’s raw energy and brutal commitment to their craft had everyone headbanging and feeling the weight of every low-tuned chord.
Dying Fetus
Then, in a twist of pre-show irony, the crowd started a dance-off to an 80s pop playlist that included everything from “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” to “Livin’ on a Prayer” –a hilarious calm before the storm that would be Dying Fetus. This veteran band, notorious for its relentless and unyielding death metal, brought out a giant inflatable baby for the ultimate absurd touch. Playing hits like “Weaken the Structure” and “Intentional Manslaughter,” Dying Fetus barely let the crowd catch its breath. Security scrambled to keep up with the constant wave of crowd surfers, while fans threw themselves into the pit with a fervor that matched the intense set. As a final act, they tossed setlists and picks into the audience, leaving fans begging for more.
The Black Dahlia Murder
Finally, headliners The Black Dahlia Murder took the stage, unleashing their signature blend of melodic death metal—a genre they’ve practically redefined over the years. Known for their technical skill and lightning-fast riffs, the band kicked things off with a mix of fan favourites, including 2007’s “Everything Went Black.” Ina bizarrely perfect contrast to their sound, they interspersed their set with soft jazzy interludes, chatting with the crowd in almost lullaby tones before launching back into intense, riff-driven fury. The band even brought out a man in a gorilla suit for a touch of humor, blending the macabre and ridiculous in true Black Dahlia fashion. Their solos were immaculate, the pit was alive, and the crowd was both in awe and moshing ferociously. Shouting out the show organizer, and Montreal kingpin of metal shows, Dave from Extensive, The Black Dahlia Murder ended the night with an energy that was equal parts heavy and heartfelt.
With a lineup like this, it’s no surprise the crowd was ravenous from start to finish. Each band brought its own twist, with performances that veered from spooky to serious to downright funny. It was a satisfying night at MTELUS, where every set added a new layer of sonic chaos, making for a memorable Tuesday night.
Photos by Thomas Murray
Article by Talia Plante
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