New York City is known for its unpredictable nature, making it hard to predict what will happen and where. On a recent Friday, Webster Hall was scheduled to host a performance by Nukem, Suffocation, and Death To All, as part of their ongoing tour, “30 years of Individual through patterns.” The show was initially slated to start at 7.00 pm, but it was later pushed up by an hour. During a lazy afternoon spent scrolling through Instagram, I stumbled upon a story from Charlie Errigo that caught my attention regarding the time change for the show. Upon learning of the change, I hastily packed my camera bag and headed out, knowing that I was already running late. Despite my best efforts, the NYC subway commute on Friday nights made it impossible for me to arrive on time. By the time I reached Webster Hall entrance, I can hear from outside the show has already started. I was trying to figure out, how much I have missed the performance of the first act. The security ensured me that the first band just got up on stage seven minutes earlier, it made me a little easy and more relaxed.

NUKEM, the San Diego thrash metal band, delivered an electrifying performance at their recent concert in NYC. Despite my late arrival, I was able to catch the majority of their set, only missing out on the first song of the night. The band played eight songs during their forty-five-minute slot, with most of the numbers being from their first album “The Unholy Trinity.”As soon as they started playing their second song “D.O.I.,” the crowd went wild. NUKEM’s music gave me a strong sense of nostalgia for the old-school thrash metal vibes of the early 80s. Their performance of “The Deceiver” transported me back to the days of Metallica and Testament, and I couldn’t help but headbang along with the rest of the crowd. Frontman Steve Brogden poured his heart out into every song, captivating the audience with his high-energy performance. The band’s commitment to old-school thrash metal was evident in their sound and stage presence, making them the preachers of this genre. Although the show started an hour earlier than scheduled, the crowd turnout was impressive. Fans of NUKEM and thrash metal enthusiasts alike were able to enjoy the band’s captivating performance. Ultimately, NUKEM’s performance was a night to cherish, full of unbridled enthusiasm, fond memories, and a genuine celebration of old-school thrash metal.

Suffocation, the legendary hometown band from New York, delivered an electrifying performance at their Friday night concert. The venue was packed to the brim with fans eagerly anticipating their performance. The band took the stage at 7:15 pm and opened with “Thrones of Blood” from their album “Pierced From Within“.Their forty-five-minute set consisted of eight songs, including “Jesus Wept”, “Catatonia”, “Funeral Inception”, “Pierced Within”, “Blind Torture Kill”, “Liege of Inveracity”, and ended with an encore performance of “Infecting the Crypts”. After Frank Mullen departed from the band, many were skeptical about Suffocation’s future. However, Ricky Myers’ guttural vocals proved to be a worthy successor, delivering an impressive performance that filled the crowd with a bag full of death metal. The veteran members of the band, Terrence Hobbs and Derek Boyer, handled the band’s coordination with great success. Terrence’s guitar work and solos were particularly impressive, showcasing his technicality and musical prowess. The addition of two new recruits, Charlie Errigo, and Eric Morotti, injected fresh energy into the band’s performance. Eric’s high-speed blast beats and footwork paired perfectly with Charlie’s energetic guitar riffs, and their stage presence was truly remarkable. Suffocation’s performance was nothing short of high-intensity, with the crowd eagerly jumping into the pit for hostility. Their reputation as a band that delivers high-intensity shows for crowd surfing and mosh pit was evident. Suffocation showed their fans that they still have what it takes to put on a mind-blowing performance during their concert, which was an outstanding experience for everyone who attended.

The final act of the night, Death to All took the stage, and the excitement in the air was palpable. As a tribute band to the original Death, the group aims to keep the legacy of Chuck Schuldiner alive, and they did just that with exceptional performance. The core members, Gene Hoglan, Steve DiGiorgio, Max Phelps, and Bobby Koelble, demonstrated their skills on stage and paid homage to their late mentor in the best way possible.

As someone who wasn’t fortunate enough to see the original Death perform, I was ecstatic to experience the tribute band’s live show. From the moment they took the stage, they had the audience captivated. Steve DiGiorgio, the bass monster, was reminiscing about the legacy of Death and sharing stories with the crowd, making the night feel more personal.

Max Phelps, who played the exact guitar that Chuck used to play, resembled a young Chuck on stage. The band sounded almost identical to the original Death, which was impressive. It was an absolute pleasure to witness their performance, and I was blown away by their dedication to keeping the music of Death alive.

One notable thing about the performance was the praise Steve gave to the Webster Hall security team for their efforts in managing the crowd. It was evident that the security team’s work made the night much smoother and safer for everyone in attendance.

In summary, Death to All’s performance at Webster Hall on Friday night was nothing short of amazing. The tribute band honored Chuck Schuldiner and the legacy of Death in the best possible way. Their dedication to their craft was evident, and they had the crowd completely engaged throughout the entire show. It was a night to remember for any metal fan, and I am grateful to have been a part of it.