Extreme is the way

Fulci + Mutilation Barbecue + Mortuary Slab

Live report of the Italian band’s first-ever Canadian show, supported by two solid and up-and-coming acts.

TORONTO (ON), The Garrison - 05/14/2025

There’s always a first time—and it’s one you never forget. Canadian death metal fans had waited for this moment. Fulci had never crossed the border before. In the U.S., they’re practically regulars, with past and upcoming tours; next, they’ll join Cannibal Corpse and Municipal Waste. But Canada had remained unexplored—until now.
 
The right opportunity came in May 2025. After announcing a mini tour on the U.S. East Coast, two dates were added across the border: Toronto and Montréal. This brought a devastating wave of horror-inspired, Italian-made death metal. The wait was over. Fulci were set to tear down The Garrison, joined by Mutilation Barbecue and Mortuary Slab. It promised to be a memorable night.

MORTUARY SLAB

Opening duties fell to this young Hamilton band. With their debut EP Necrorealism, they deliver fierce, no-frills death metal. Though their set was short, it packed a punch. Tracks like Insidious were especially memorable, igniting a heated Garrison that, though not yet full, was clearly ready for chaos. Their solid half-hour earned strong applause, and the band left visibly satisfied.

SETLIST MORTUARY SLAB:

Steel City
From the Slab
Necrorealism
Wide Glen Benton
Orgasms in Mold
Insidious
Purging

MUTILATION BARBECUE

After a fairly long break for soundcheck, Mutilation Barbecue took the stage. The Cleveland-based band has been active for about five years. They have released a self-titled EP and their full-length album Amalgamations of Gore (2024). Both are rooted in a fairly standard yet highly engaging style of death metal. They hit the stage with explosive energy. They quickly proved themselves worthy co-headliners of the tour. Vocalist Tristan Wright unleashed a powerful growl that filled the entire venue. He was backed by the relentless riffing of guitarists Dylan Andras and Nick McGroder. The pit erupted during Necrophiliac Obsession, driven by drummer Harrison Good’s punishing performance. The intensity never dropped until the end. Closing with Acid Tub, the band wrapped up a concise but highly effective set. The crowd was fully warmed up for the main act.

SETLIST MUTILATION BARBECUE:

Skin Display/Amalgamation of Gore
Necrophiliac Obsession
Lady Next Door
Auto Anthropophagy
Templated Under 18 Wheels
Spontaneous Human Combustion
Acid Tub

FULCI

Finally, the moment everyone had been waiting for. From early in the night, the Fulci merch line had stretched across the venue. It practically split it in half—a clear sign of just how eager the crowd was. For many, this was their first time seeing the band live. Fulci is known for offering more than just music: their visual component plays a crucial role. Clips from the director’s films that inspired the band are an integral part of their shows. These clips enhance the atmosphere and complete the horror-driven concept behind their music. This makes every Fulci performance a fully immersive experience. It’s exactly what they brought to Toronto while promoting their latest album, Duck Face Killings, inspired by The New York Ripper. The show opened with gruesome clips from the film, setting the tone before the band stormed the stage to thunderous applause. Rotten Apple and Human Scalp Collection immediately shook the venue to its core. The band showcased a tight performance. Fiore was absent due to last-minute issues, but his replacement delivered a strong performance. This was especially clear on tracks from Tropical Sun, like Matul Tribal Cult and Apocalypse Zombie. Both are staples of their set. Dome, Klem, and Ando Ferraiuolo displayed flawless precision and unity on stage. They never missed a beat. Drummer Edoardo Nicoloso proved once again to be the band’s rhythmic backbone. The set leaned heavily on the latest record, with tracks like Maniac Unleashed and Morbid Lust. It also featured standout cuts from Exhumed Information and Opening the Hell Gates. The crowd was kept in constant motion throughout. As the night progressed through relentless moshing and roaring chants, time seemed to fly. After A Blade in the Dark, it briefly appeared that the show was over. The band exited the stage—but the crowd wasn’t having it. Loud chants brought them back for an encore. The band delivered a final, crushing blow with Tomb, Eye Full of Maggots, Lo Squartatore, and Stabbed, Gutted and Loved. No one left disappointed or stood still. Fulci conquered Toronto with a performance that won’t soon be forgotten.

SETLIST FULCI:

Trailer
Glass
Rotten Apple
Human Scalp Collection
Matul Tribal Cult
Apocalypse Zombie
Lonely Hearts
Maniac Unleashed
Voodoo Gore Ritual
Tropical Sun
Splatter Fatality
Nightmare
Morbid Lust
Among the Walking Dead
Vile Butchery
A Blade in the Dark

Encore:
Tomb
Eye Full of Maggots
Lo Squartatore
Stabbed Gutted and Loved
Outro TV crimes

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