FLORENCE, Viper Theatre - 02/10/2024
Another Round, Another Ride. Firenze Metal never stops. Since its inception, the festival has pushed forward with increasingly spectacular, adrenaline-fueled editions, showcasing the best of the Italian metal scene. Last time, the lineup was packed—eight bands covering almost every subgenre, featuring Mortuary Drape, Frozen Crown, Slug Gore, and Game Over. The staff and organizers were already planning the next move, which, after three months, would become one of February’s highlight events.
Two weeks later, the secret was revealed: six bands from all over Italy would perform in a festival dominated by death metal. The evening begins with Sinister Ghost, followed by local band Deviation, veterans Gory Blister, death metal giants Hour of Penance and Fulci, and grindcore legends Cripple Bastards. No introduction is needed for a lineup that speaks for itself. The only rules: be at the Viper Theatre and witness a show that promises to be intense and unrelenting from start to finish. The crowd doesn’t need to be told twice: the line to enter stretches longer, and even before the first note, the hype is already at its peak.
SINISTER GHOST
The show was scheduled to start at 7 PM, but typical preparations delayed it by 45 minutes. After long soundchecks and technical checks, Sinister Ghost takes the stage, fresh off their latest album, What’s Left of Human?, opening with a setlist focused on the new release. Their sound, a mix of black, death, and gothic metal, draws openly from Carach Angren, known for their stage presence. Frontman Asmort mirrors Seregor’s vampire-like charisma and command over the audience. A standout moment occurs mid-set when he grabs a Bible and asks, “Do you know what this is? Can you eat it?” He chews a random page, then tears the book apart, throwing the remains into the crowd like confetti. Aelodh, Synugoth, and Pontius provide tight, precise backing, supporting Asmort’s seamless shifts from growl to black-metal scream. The set is brief but convincing, with a guest appearance from Danny Metal. Sinister Ghost shows all the signs of a young band ready to go far.
SINISTER GHOST SETLIST:
Ocean avenue 112
The Innocent’s laugh
Eden is our home
Stolen at Birth
The house of violin
DEVIATION
After a customary break, Deviation takes the stage. Though a very recent band, the members are seasoned veterans, mostly from Suicidal Causticity and Disboskator, brutal death and thrash bands that have toured with major acts like Incantation and Subhuman. Their self-titled EP blends the styles of their previous bands perfectly. The Florence crowd is ready to explode. Nikolas “Gorgo” Bruni proves himself an impressive frontman with a powerful growl, while bassist Filippo Mannini and guitarist Davide Puliti handle their instruments effortlessly, anchored by Thomas Passanisi’s precise drumming. The audience responds with mosh pits, shouts, and continuous encouragement, driven by performers who know exactly how to orchestrate chaos.
DEVIATION SETLIST:
Back to the Basics + Da phenomenal 1
Devoted Stalker
Rabid Times
All those Eyes
GORY BLISTER
So far, fun and euphoria are intense, but the evening escalates with Gory Blister. Active since 1991, they are veterans of the Italian scene with seven studio albums, the latest being Reborn from Hatred (2023). They take the stage proud, charged, and ready to unleash a nonstop moshpit. Paolo Quaglia’s vocals are in top form, while Gianluca D’Andria and Raff Sangiorgio wield their guitars with skill. Their performance is a classic death-metal show: direct, destructive, and efficient. The crowd responds enthusiastically, though time flies until the end of their set, which is closed with well-deserved applause.
GORY BLISTER SETLIST:
Thresholds
Trails of Lies
Psycho Crave
From Ashes…
Push Out the Venom
Relentless Fear
Profound Sedation
Unexpected Livings
This Blood is Forever
Reborn from Hatred
Greedy Existance
…To Flames
No Shadow
HOUR OF PENANCE
Midway through the night, Hour of Penance kicks off one of the most punishing parts of the lineup. They have long carried the banner of Italian death metal with a technical, brutal, and devastating sound. Drummer Giacomo Torti, formerly of Bloodtruth, creates an impenetrable wall of rhythm, supported by Marco Mastrobuono on bass and Giulio Moschini and Paolo Pieri on guitars, the latter also providing growls. The audience unleashes chaos below the stage: pogo and crowdsurfing erupt continuously. Songs spanning their entire repertoire hit like boulders, leaving fans exhausted but satisfied. The show is a masterclass in relentless, high-energy death metal.
HOUR OF PENANCE SETLIST:
Flames of Merciless Gods
Blight and Conquer
Paradogma
Incestuous Dinasty of Worms
Sedition through Scorn
Ascension
Reforging the Crowns
Cast the First Stone
Devotion for Tyranny
Misconception
FULCI
As the night reaches its climax, Fulci steps on stage. Fans proudly wear shirts with their logo. The Caserta trio has become one of Italy’s leading extreme bands, with recognition abroad. Named after godfather of gore Lucio Fulci, they translate his films into lyrics, music, and live shows, creating cinematic atmospheres with projections and samples. Dome, Klem, and Fiore, joined by a second guitarist and drummer, emerge from the shadows and immediately unleash crushing riffs. Highlights like Tomb, Eye Full of Maggots, and Tropical Sun demonstrate their perfect blend of horror and brutality. The crowd and band share a tangible delirium as they push to the final ovation, delivering the night’s most memorable set.
FULCI SETLIST:
Glass
Tomb
Apocalypse Zombie
Lonely Hearts
Voices
Splatter Fatality
Voodoo Gore Ritual
Tropical Sun
Vile Butchery
Among the Walking Dead
Matul Tribal Cult
Legion of the Resurrected
Nightmare
Eye full of Maggots
Immortality Virus
Blue Inferno
Zombi 2
CRIPPLE BASTARDS
By midnight, the night should end—but one final band remains: Cripple Bastards. Celebrating 35 years as the Italian grindcore institution, they deliver a relentless set of brutal hits. Der Kommisar and Schintu remain focused, while Giulio alternates guttural growls with razor-sharp screams. Raphael Saini hammers the drums at lightning speed. The moshpit never stops; fans are carried under the stage by sheer momentum. After classics like Polizia, Una Razza da Estinguere, Italia di Merda, and Morte da Tossico, the band returns for Variante alla Morte, closing the night in a fiery climax.
CRIPPLE BASTARDS SETLIST:
WRAPPING UP
The night ends with the exhausted but exhilarated crowd heading for the exits, many stopping for a final visit to the merch area. Firenze Metal confirms its status as a top-tier event: a focused genre showcase with outstanding performers, all in top form. Attendance matched the previous sold-out edition. The excellent organization and solid identity of the festival promise that future editions will be even bigger and better.
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