(The Polish titans Decapitated recently finished their Nihility Across North America Tour, with support from Incantation, Darkest Hour, and Exmortus. Our friend Ben Manzella caught their February 27 show at San Francisco’s DNA Lounge and provided us with the following report and his photos of the performances.)
It is hard for me to believe that it was nineteen years ago that I started to desire to be at a concert almost any night that it was possible. For obvious reasons, this has hardly been possible but I couldn’t help but be reflective as I walked into the DNA Lounge for the Nihility Across North America tour. As I think I mentioned in my review of Decapitated’s show last year, Vogg was the first person to allow me the time to interview them in person. We haven’t been able to talk again in person since that night, but it still means a lot to me. It was great to be able to see this tour celebrating a pinnacle moment in the career of Decapitated.
EXMORTUS
To start the night, the growing audience was treated to an incredible set of what I sometimes call guitar gymnastics courtesy of Exmortus. I first met Exmortus in a parking lot in Anaheim sharing some Little Caesar’s pizza before helping carry in their drum set for a local’s night. It is awesome to see how far they have come since that night.
Even as the opener on a four-band bill, they took over the room and skillfully played a set that spanned their discography including the song “Metal is King” from their 2014 record Slave to the Sword. I wasn’t able to a have good angle for a photo, but toward the end of their set, the two guitarists of the band met in the middle of the stage as though they were hugging and playing each other’s guitar behind the back of the other person. The transition to this positioning was flawless and impressive. Their set was a perfect start to the chaos of the night.
DARKEST HOUR
Darkest Hour would be next in the lineup. To my recall, I first learned about them around the time of their 2005 release Undoing Ruin. It was interesting to hear their singer John Henry reflecting on the band’s relationship to the city of San Francisco. Mentioning a long-gone but beloved venue among the Metal community, The Pound, and expressing gratitude for decades of support. It was a reminder of the perseverance it takes to establish a band the way they have throughout their career.
While probably seen as the most melodic band on the lineup, this didn’t bring any calm to the floor at all. The first fast and furious circle pits of the night were just another reminder of how rabid the Bay Area metal scene can be. Even now as I write, I hope I get another chance to see Darkest Hour live sooner than later. As they near thirty years of being a band, it is clear they have plenty of energy to go around and play a great mix of melodic metal with a hearty helping of some punk and hardcore influences as well.
INCANTATION
The first of two full-album sets for the tour was next on the lineup with Incantation. As they performed Mortal Throne of Nazarene, fans of all ages immediately were enthralled with the deadly sounds of John McEntee and company. This was my third time seeing Incantation and while every crowd has been plenty aggressive, last night was a different level.
I don’t recall the last time I saw stage dives at a death metal show but there were a few eager people that took the opportunity whether the crowd was ready to carry them or if they might be licking the remnants of trash from outside off the floor. With thirteen full albums released, Incantation can easily and rightfully be named a standard bearer for death metal from the United States.
DECAPITATED
It may have only been my nerves, but you could tell the floor was going to be more raucous once Decapitated started their set. The Nihility Across North America tour was one I knew I couldn’t miss. Nihility was the record that introduced me to Decapitated, as I believe it was for many with their iconic song “Spheres of Madness.”
The newest singer in Decapitated, Eemeli Bodde, immediately made the stage of the DNA Lounge his own with incredible energy launching into “Perfect Dehumanization (The Answer)”. Due to the frenzy of the floor, I had to leave a little earlier than planned before my injured knee took too much of a toll. The chemistry within Decapitated couldn’t be better and this tour seems like the perfect example of a look back as they move forward with Eemeli bringing his vocal talent to the lineup. I had commented on a social media post of an earlier tour date and John McEntee told me at the time “It will crush!” I can honestly say last week at DNA Lounge was devastating in the most death metal way and it was a privilege to attend the show.
