Vader, the Polish death metal legends, brought their 40th Anniversary Tour to Toronto's Lee's Palace on February 11th, in a night hosted by Inertia Entertainment. Promising an onslaught of brutality and technical prowess, the event was a celebration of four decades of death metal mastery.
The evening began with Inhuman Condition, a band boasting members from the legendary thrash outfit Massacre. With tracks like "Recycled Hate" and "Panic Prayer," Inhuman Condition wasted no time in unleashing their ferocious blend of death and thrash metal upon the eager audience. Members of the band's tenure in Massacre lent an undeniable gravitas to the proceedings, setting the stage ablaze with blistering performances and sending the crowd into circle pits.
Following Inhuman Condition's set, Origin took the stage by storm. Hailing from Kansas, Origin is revered for their unique blend of extreme metal. With lightning-fast riffing, complex time signatures, and relentless blast beats, tracks like "Expulsion of Fury" and "Chaosmos" demonstrated why they are considered one of the great bands in the death metal scene. Their intricate guitar work, punishing drumming, and guttural vocals rocked the crowd.
And to the moment we all waited for, Vader, the headliner, delivered a memorable performance, marking their 40-year milestone with a setlist that spanned their illustrious career. Kicking off with classics like "Decapitated Saints" and "The Wrath," the band wasted no time in reminding the crowd of their enduring legacy. Piotr Wiwczarek (on vocals) engaged the audience with anecdotes and history between songs, adding a personal touch to the performance. Overall, Vader's set was a relentless barrage of ferocity and precision. Tracks like "Silent Empire" and "Black to the Blind" resonated with the crowd, exciting mosh pits, cheers, raised fists, and metal horns in the air.
As the evening at Toronto's Lee's Palace came to a close with "Triumph of Death" and "Shock and Awe," Vader left no doubt as to why they are considered one of the titans of the death metal genre. The crowd, exhausted yet invigorated, bore witness to a masterclass in metal craftsmanship.
This unforgettable evening of chaos and devastation was just one stop on Vader's extensive 40th Anniversary Tour, which still has many more dates ahead. Cities and dates on the tour include:
02/03 Atlanta, GA – The Loft
02/04 Knoxville, TN – The Concourse
02/05 Greensboro, NC – Hangar 1819
02/06 Harrisburg, PA – Stage On Herr
02/07 Brooklyn, NY – Monarch
02/08 Providence, RI – Alchemy
02/09 Montreal, QC – Le Studio TD
02/10 Quebec City, QC – La Source de la Martiniere
02/11 Toronto, ON – Lee’s Palace
02/12 Detroit, MI – The Sanctuary
02/13 Chicago, IL – Reggies
02/14 Minneapolis, MN – Skyway Theater – Studio B
02/15 Winnipeg, MB – Bull Dogs
02/16 Regina, SK – The Exchange
02/17 Edmonton, AB – Starlite Room
02/18 Calgary, AB – Dickens
02/20 Vancouver, BC – Rickshaw Theater
02/21 Seattle, WA – El Corazon
02/22 Portland, OR – Bossanova Ballroom
02/23 San Francisco, CA – DNA Lounge
02/24 Los Angeles, CA – 1720
02/25 San Diego, CA – Brick by Brick
02/26 Mesa, AZ – Nile Theater
02/27 El Paso, TX – Rockhouse Bar & Grill
02/28 Austin, TX – Come And Take It Live
02/29 Houston, TX – Scout Bar
03/02 Miami, FL – Gramps
03/03 Tampa, FL – The Orpheum
For more news and tour info, visit Vader's page on Nuclear Blast Records here. For more Toronto metal shows, check out Inertia Entertainment's website here.