The mighty Slayer, along with supporting acts Anthrax and Death Angel steam rolled through Toronto with their Repentless Tour, stopping by the Sound Academy on September 12, 2016. The newly renovated venue was packed to the rafters with hardcore metal fans of all ages.
Growing up listening to Anthrax and Death Angel, then eventually introduced to Slayer, this show was certainly one that I didn’t want to miss.
Such a heavy show obviously induced lots of horned hands, moshing and crowd surfing. When it came to Slayer the security had their hands full protecting us photographers as the crowd started rolling into the pit like a Tsunami. Inevitably, our three song set got cut to two songs for our protection.
Death Angel performed a relatively short set consisting of six songs. The first song for this Bay area thrash band was a track from their debut album released in 1987 called The Ultra – Violence, followed by Evil Priest off the same album. Next on their set was Claws in So Deep which was released in 2010 on the Relentless Retribution album. Next off the Art of Dying album they performed Thrown to the Wolfs. Left for Dead, which is the opening track from their album The Dream Calls for Blood, was next. They ended their set with a song from their latest release The Evil Divide with a song called The Moth. Overall they impressed me with their tight performance. Front man Mark Osegueda dominated the stage performance with jumps and enthusiasm. My only complaint is that I wanted to hear material from their Act III release. Considering it was the first time I had seen them perform live, I enjoyed their set.
Anthrax released their eleventh studio album, For All Kings, earlier this year. I’m so thrilled to see they are still touring. A year has passed since the last time I saw them perform at the GM Center in Oshawa. However, their enthusiasm and energy remained just as consistent and intense at it was last year. They performed plenty of my favorites like Caught in a Mosh, Got the Time, Anti-Social and Indians. Joey Belladonna still ran the entire length of the stage with his half mic stand. He even gave us photographers a treat by taking a camera from the pit and photographing the photographers. His vocals remain solid with no pitch issues or weakness.
This time around on the drums was Charlie Benante. He was absent last year due to an injury. I wish I could have photographed him however the drum riser made it very difficult to capture him behind his kit. A solid performance on his part, guiding the tempo flawlessly. Staples to the band line up Scott Ian and Frank Bello who where equally as energetic as Belladonna. It blows me away to see these guys rip through a set with such stamina. Latest member of the Anthrax family guitarist Jonathan Donais, shredded through solos like it was butter on toast. He personified the metal image by thrashing his hair all around. I love how they still represent their brand with such integrity and passion.
The lights faded and a soundbite of Delusion of Saviour played as Slayer graphics rotated on a floor to ceiling curtain, the crowd erupted, chanting “Slayer, Slayer”. Finally the curtain dropped and Slayer shredded through their titled track Repentless. Exploding guitar riffs, blowing our heads off, accompanied with lighting double kick coming through from Paul Bostaph. Slayer‘s dominance of the moment was felt through out the venue. A surge of andrenalin took over the masses. The crowd wasted no time trashing around.
Frontman / bassist Tom Araya could be seen with a huge smile on his face. Enjoying the moment and taking it all in. The low end emanating from his bass had us rattling to the core. Six string ax wielders Kerry King and Gary Holt flanked the sides of Araya. Both whizzing through the lightning fast riffs like it was childs play.
These pioneers of metal certainly didn’t disappoint, playing all their classic hits and my personal favorites like Hell Awaits, South of Heaven and of course the all mighty Raining Blood.
Set List:
Repentless
The Antichrist
Disciple
Postmortem
Hate Worldwide
War Ensemble
When the Stillness Comes
You Against You
Mandatory Suicide
Fight T’ill Death
Dead Skin Mask
Born of Fire
Pride in Prejudice
Vices
Seasons in the Abyss
Hell Awaits
South of Heaven
Raining Blood
Black Magic
Angel of Death
All photos by Sue Sadzak
©2016. Please DO NOT copy or use without permission.
Slayer:
Anthrax:
Death Angel:
