Extreme is the way

Archspire + Undeath + Crown Magnetar + Mutilation Barbecue

Live report: Toronto stop of the Long Roads Big Loads Tour

TORONTO (ON), The Phoenix - 04/30/2026

Just one week after Dark Tranquillity visited, the Phoenix Concert Theatre hosts an event—Long Roads, Big Loads. And the lineup speaks for itself. Archspire, one of the world’s premier tech-death acts, have just dropped their latest album Too Fast to Die, ready to unleash it live in front of their hometown Canadian crowd in Toronto. Backing them up are Undeath, Crown Magnetar, and Mutilation Barbecue, for a night that promises chaos, intensity, and zero mercy—death metal in all its forms.

MUTILATION BARBECUE

Mutilation Barbecue is first to hit the stage, this time bringing a little more firepower than their last visit to Toronto. Just a year ago, they were supporting Fulci on a short East Coast run, but now arrive with their latest EP, Flesh Regenerated, released this past April 10—a record that cemented their massive potential and sharpened their already vicious sound. They waste no time proving it. Tristan is his usual tireless self, bouncing across the stage, hyping the crowd while unleashing guttural growls across the venue—even as minor mic issues try to slow him down. Guitarist Nick also runs into some early hiccups, but things are quickly brought back on track alongside fellow guitarist Dylan. The band powers through selections that also dip into their full-length Amalgamations of Gore. The set is short, but explosive—leaving the crowd more than satisfied.

MUTILATION BARBECUE SETLIST:

Skin Display
Necrophiliac Obsession
Grave Implosion
Flesh Regenerated
Hive Mind Homicide
Acid Tub
Decorticate Congregation
Realm of the Ossified

CROWN MAGNETAR

Following Mutilation Barbecue, Crown Magnetar moves decisively into deathcore territory—without losing impact. From the moment they step on stage, the intensity never falters. Frontman Dan Tucker commands with relentless energy, while drummer Byron London propels the band forward. Their set features music from The Codex of Flesh and Everything Bleeds, delivering breakdowns and precision that drive energetic mosh pits. The performance is fast and intense, building a lasting impression before concluding.

CROWN MAGNETAR SETLIST:

Desecrate infinite
Full spectrum hatred
Nailed the fuck down
Impaled genesis
The killing stone
Only the spine remains
Decapitation ritual
Black lotus

UNDEATH

As Crown Magnetar leaves the stage, classic, no-frills death metal takes center again with Undeath, who by now feel like a sure bet. In eight years, the Rochester band has built a solid catalog—three albums, two demos, and an EP—while consistently showcasing its growth. Their latest, More Insane, highlights a confident, focused band in full control. Alexander Sason leads the crowd and band with commanding vocals, while drummer Matt Browning shows precision behind the kit. The setlist leans heavily on their earlier material, alongside cuts from the recent EP Enter Patient / Endless Graveyard. There’s little in the way of theatrics—just straightforward, hard-hitting death metal played with conviction. It’s simple, direct, and highly effective, earning them a massive ovation by the end of their set.

UNDEATH SETLIST:

Endless Graveyard
Necrobionics
The Funeral Within
Defiled Again
Suitably Hacked to Gore
Shackles of Sanity
Enhancing the Dead
Chained to a Reeking Rotted Body
Rise From the Grave
Lesions of a Different Kind
Brandish the Blade

ARCHSPIRE

After Undeath finishes their set, the anticipation peaks. Headliners Archspire take the stage—expectations are sky-high, not just because they’re the only Canadian band on the bill or because they dropped a new album barely twenty days ago. The real question is whether they can replicate their studio precision live. The answer is a resounding yes—and with surgical accuracy. From the opening notes of Drone Corpse Aviator, guitarists Dean Lamb and Tobi Morelli unleash a barrage of hyper-fast, razor-sharp solos, perfectly locked in with Jared Smith’s six-string bass and Spencer Moore’s flawless drumming. But the most jaw-dropping performance comes, unsurprisingly, from Oliver Rae Aleron, who delivers his rapid-fire vocals with studio-level precision. Yet what truly sets him apart isn’t just technical ability—it’s his stage presence. Between songs, he constantly engages the crowd: telling humorous stories from his past, inviting fans on stage for absurd challenges (including a beer-in-a-shoe drinking contest), and even encouraging the entire audience to call their mothers on speaker so he can talk to them live. The experience is lively and memorable, combining humor and crowd interaction. Musically, the band is just as relentless, pulling material from Bleed the Future, Relentless Mutation, and the brand-new Too Fast to Die. The result is nonstop action—mosh pits, crowd surfing, and zero downtime—right up until the closing track Carrion Ladder, which brings an impeccable set to a crushing end. An Archspire concert is not just a show—it is an immersive experience, and tonight confirmed that.

ARCHSPIRE SETLIST:

Drone Corpse Aviator
Remote Tumour Seeker
Red Goliath
A.U.M.
Human Murmuration
Limb of Leviticus
Bleed the Future
Golden Mouth of Ruin
The Vessel
Involuntary Doppelgänger
Carrion Ladder

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