TORONTO (ON), The Phoenix - 09/20/2025
HEDONIST
Opening the night were Hedonist, a young Vancouver-based band tasked with hosting duties in every sense. They were the only Canadian band on the bill and, in front of their home crowd, they had no intention of putting on a subpar performance. The quartet hit the stage full of energy, with frontwoman Athena engaging the audience with powerful growls that drew enthusiastic applause. As expected, their set was short, but destructive and convincing, providing the perfect kickoff to the evening.
SETLIST HEDONIST:
Intrepid Repulsion
Bottomless Sun
Cephalic Rot
Barbarian
Fatidic Dread
Parasitic Realm
Execution Wheel
Heresy
NECROT
After a solid half-hour break, California’s Necrot took the stage. The band has come a long way since its formation. They have released three albums to date, each one building their reputation in the extreme music scene. They were not in Toronto just to play a supporting role. Frontman Luca Indrio is the band’s Italian voice. He delivered a performance in peak form, storming through songs alongside Chad Gailey and Sonny Reinhardt. This energized a growing and increasingly enthusiastic audience. Their setlist was concise but spanned all three albums, focusing on Mortal and Lifeless Birth. The show ended to loud applause.
SETLIST NECROT:
Cut the Cord
Your Hell
Stench of Decay
The Blade
Drill the Skull
Sinister Will
BRUJERIA
By now, the atmosphere was fiery. It was Brujeria’s turn to turn up the heat. The band came from a very difficult period. They had lost two founding members, Juan Brujo and Pinche Peach, within just a few months in 2024. Despite this, they bounced back with a new lineup. This transition wasn’t overly difficult. Brujeria is a supergroup featuring rotating musicians, including Napalm Death‘s Shane Embury. Still, Juan Brujo had always been the only permanent member, and replacing him was no small feat. El Sangron took his place and kept the project alive flawlessly. The impact was evident on stage. The show was clearly a tribute to their career, as evidenced by the backdrop graphics. They had no new material to play. However, the band’s goal was to show the audience that the name Brujeria should remain alive, proud, and high. El Sangron emphasized this throughout the performance. The set included memorable tracks like Brujerizmo, La Migra, Colas de Rata, and Matando Güeros. He led continuous mosh pits from the stage. The performance was near flawless, with a strong hold over the crowd. The audience cheered enthusiastically until the band left the stage.
SETLIST BRUJERIA:
Brujerizmo
El Desmadre
Hechando Chingasos
Vayan Sin Miedo
La Migra
Chingo de Mecos
Cristo de la Roca
Desperado
Colas de Rata
La Ley del Plomo
Revolución
Consejos Narcos
Raza Odiada (Pito Wilson)
Matando Güeros
CARCASS
To cap off such a destructive night, no better choice than Carcass could close the show. This is a band that ages like fine wine—the older they grow, the better they deliver. They seize every chance to play live. Just five months ago, they tore through Toronto supporting Meshuggah and Cannibal Corpse. Now they stormed back, headlining and poised to crush everything and everyone. When it comes to Carcass, there’s little surprise. Every show is intense, engaging, fun, and, above all, formidable. From the moment they hit the stage, it was clear: Jeff Walker might have changed his haircut and hair color, but he hadn’t lost any skill. His loyal partner Bill Steer remained perfect alongside him, hopping and headbanging between riffs. Bill shone on classic tracks like Incarnated Solvent Abuse and Death Certificate. The crowd, naturally, never stopped. They erupted in constant circle pits and crowdsurfing, while also paying tribute to classics like No Love Lost and Black Star. Daniel Wilding and James Blackford also excelled on these tracks. All members pushed their limits. They paused the set for five minutes and unleashed freestyle solos, one after another, on each instrument. These moments drew nothing but standing ovations. Walker, delighted by the response, powered through one last epic sprint with Ruptured in Purulence and Heartwork. Then he capped the night with a special surprise. “We haven’t played this one in a while. Maybe over twenty years,” he announced. Together, they tore into Die in Pain from their first demo, Flesh Ripping Sonic Torment, stamping the night with a definitive close. Once again, Carcass didn’t disappoint. Phoenix Theatre’s audience was thrilled and triumphant, just as everyone who attended this unforgettable event was.
SETLIST CARCASS:
Unfit for Human Consumption
Buried Dreams
Incarnated Solvent Abuse
No Love Lost
Tomorrow Belongs to Nobody
Death Certificate
Dance of Ixtab
Black Star
Keep On Rotting in the Free World
Genital Grinder
Pyosisified
Tools of the Trade
316L Grade Surgical Steel
This Mortal Coil
Corporal Jigsore Quandary
Ruptured in Purulence
Heartwork
Die in Pain
