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CHELSEA GRIN, SHADOW OF INTENT, SIGNS OF THE SWARM, DISEMBODIED TYRANT In Charlotte, NC With Photos!

By Rocky Kessenger, 'Shoot The Shot'
Sunday, April 6, 2025 @ 12:17 AM

A Night Of Deathcore Legends At The Underground On April 2nd

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All Photos By Rocky Kessenger/@through_the_metal_lens

On April 2, 2025, The Underground in Charlotte wasn't just a venue, it was ground zero for one of the year's most punishing, unforgettable nights of deathcore. Four unstoppable bands took the stage, each unleashing their unique brand of sonic fury, writing another chapter in deathcore history.

DISEMBODIED TYRANT - The Precision in Chaos

As the lights dimmed and anticipation rose, DISEMBODIED TYRANT burst onto the stage, immediately commanding attention. Launching into "8.6 BLACKOUT", their razor-sharp riffs sliced through the crowd with surgical accuracy, while relentless drum patterns hammered like artillery fire. Fans quickly surrendered to the rhythm, heads banging and fists and horns raised high.

The technical mastery continued with "Aberrant Waltz", an intricate dance of complex rhythms and blistering guitar solos that drew cheers from veteran metalheads. The pit erupted during "Malphasian", the brutal breakdowns sparking raw energy from front to back. Yet, amidst the controlled chaos, the band never lost their warmth, grinning broadly and reaching out to the crowd, ensuring everyone felt part of the performance.

They closed powerfully with "Winter", leaving fans breathless and setting an incredibly high standard for the night ahead.

Verdict: DISEMBODIED TYRANT offered a captivating balance of technical brutality and genuine audience connection.

SIGNS OF THE SWARM - Commanding Aggression

As if summoned by fury itself, SIGNS OF THE SWARM took the stage with frontman David Simonich screaming, "Charlotte, I want you to destroy this fucking place!" The venue exploded into immediate chaos with the opening track "IWONTLETYOUDIE", the pit becoming a sea of relentless movement and adrenaline.

"Tower of Torsos" and "Hymns Ov Invocation" escalated the madness, the band's crushing heaviness and Simonich's guttural demands continually driving fans deeper into frenzy. The vocalist was tireless, urging the crowd to sustain their energy, keep the pit moving, and flood the stage with crowd-surfers.

Their new track, "Natural Selection", hinted at even darker and heavier realms to explore, thrilling fans and amplifying the excitement. By the finale "Amongst The Low & Empty", the crowd had been thoroughly battered yet remained wildly enthusiastic, grateful for the punishing experience.

Verdict: SIGNS OF THE SWARM dominated with aggressive intensity and a commanding stage presence.

SHADOW OF INTENT - Symphonic Apocalypse

With an air of epic grandeur, SHADOW OF INTENT took over, transforming the stage into their personal symphonic battlefield. From the opening notes of "We Descend...", vocalist Ben Duerr's monstrous vocals captured everyone’s attention, resonating deeply throughout the room.

"The Horror Within" and "Intensified Genocide" combined melodic finesse with crushing brutality, fans passionately singing along, their voices merging with Duerr's powerful roars. The emotionally charged "The Migrant" united the venue in a powerful moment of collective intensity.

"Flying the Black Flag", a personal favorite, brought playful yet aggressive energy, while an intriguing unreleased track suggested exciting new directions. The monumental closer, "Barren And Breathless Macrocosm", cemented their performance as both devastating and beautiful, leaving fans in awe.

Verdict: SHADOW OF INTENT's set was symphonic deathcore at its finest emotionally resonant and intensely powerful.

CHELSEA GRIN - The Climactic Descent

When CHELSEA GRIN finally took the stage, they embodied sheer deathcore perfection, instantly igniting chaos with "Hostage". Vocalist Tom Barber's charismatic and commanding presence ensured the audience was under his control from the start.

"Dead Rose" set the stage for an unforgettable wall of death. Barber humorously spotted a notably muscular fan and declared, "Let's see those muscles!" prompting laughter and cheers as the crowd split dramatically in anticipation. With a mischievous grin, Barber quickly reminded everyone, "Now be as violent as possible!" fueling the explosive wall of death that followed.

Following this, Barber introduced "Orc March" as a "little Lord of the Rings tale," playfully connecting fantasy and brutality. He also joked about being "an old man" but quickly reminded the audience he could still "rip it up" on stage, highlighting his charismatic interaction and rapport with fans.

A heartfelt marriage proposal before "The Isnis" briefly paused the brutality, prompting Barber to warmly shout, "Let's hear it for love!" This heartfelt interaction emphasized the unique bond within the metal community. The respite was short-lived; Barber soon escalated the night's intensity, teasing the audience by asking, "Can you catch me?" Before anyone could even answer, he was airborne, diving into the crowd to perform their closing track "Recreant" from within the eye of the storm. Surrounded by the pit's fury, Barber sang passionately, the audience surging around him, providing an unforgettable climax.

As a dedicated CHELSEA GRIN fan attending my fourth show, I've talked excitedly about this night all week, and it was truly the pinnacle of every experience I've had with the band.

Verdict: CHELSEA GRIN delivered a masterful finale, unmatched in intensity and spectacle, solidifying their status as deathcore legends, and Barber as one of the premier vocalists in the genre.

Final Thoughts: This unforgettable night at The Underground lived up to its massive expectations, leaving an indelible mark on everyone who witnessed it. Fans left knowing they had experienced not just another show, but a legendary chapter in the story of deathcore.

Congratulations Andrew and Diosalys on your Journey (Happily Engaged Couple)

Editor's Note: The tour continues for another couple of weeks so make sure and catch them if they're coming near you!

Remaining Tour Dates:

4/6 Pittsburgh, PA Mr. Smalls

4/8 Montreal, QC Beanfield

4/9 Toronto, ON Danforth Music Hall

4/11 Worcester, MA The Palladium

4/12 New York, NY Irving Plaza

4/13 Philadelphia, PA Brooklyn Bowl

4/15 Detroit, MI Majestic Theatre

4/16 Chicago, IL House Of Blues

4/18 Denver, CO Oriental Theater