IMMOLATION, IMPERIAL TRIUMPHANT, MORTIFERUM – Austin, Texas, U.S.A. 2022

IMMOLATION, IMPERIAL TRIUMPHANT, MORTIFERUM – Come and Take It Live, Austin, Texas February 26, 2022

New York death metal icons, IMMOLATION arrived in Austin, Texas 8 days after releasing their eleventh album “Acts of God” through Nuclear Blast Records. The album has received a lot of good hype, which is totally warranted. The Internet is aflame with gushing comments about the album. The combination of the show falling on a Saturday and a great urge to hear the new material resulted in a packed house at Come and Take It Live. IMMOLATION brought along fellow New Yorkers IMPERIAL TRIUMPHANT and MORTIFERUM as their support acts. DEATH FILE RED provided local, opening support.

Olympic, Washington doom/death outfit MORTIFERUM were the first touring act to take the stage. MORTIFERUM incorporated classic Death Metal sounds from America and Finland with trudging Funeral Doom Metal. This all makes since when considering the background of their members. Guitarist/vocalist Max Bowman and guitarist Chase Slaker were part of the Death/Grind group BONE SICKNESS and drummer Alex Mody played in the Funeral Doom outfit Ēōs. The group were touring in support of their “Preserved in Torment” album released in November via Profound Lore Records. Watching their set brought to mind bands such as AUTOPSY, INCANTATION and as one fan opined, DISMA. The group played with a lot of energy and got a good crowd response. Their churning, down-tempo style was dark and evil, to say the least.

Austin, Texas’ motto is “Keep Austin Weird,” and IMPERIAL TRIUMPHANT did indeed keep things strange. The power trio’s mix of visual theatrics such as masks and dry ice with unconventional Black and Death Metal was very hit or miss with the crowd. Some fans I spoke came out specifically for them. They can’t resist their genre-bending technical brilliance. The experimentation and avant-garde characteristics, not to mention jazzy sections, just wasn’t of interest or comprehension for some. They wanted something brutal, bludgeoning, mosh-worthy music with less mathematics and cerebral elements.

IMPERIAL TRIUMPHANT took the stage during a grandiose, symphonic intro. The trio played their instruments to a swell before launching into the first “proper” song. Poly rhythms, odd time signatures and undulating paces were the norm for these masked magicians of unconventional metal. The bass was intricate and upfront. The group employed a lot of effects in terms of techniques such as string slides, guitar pedal effects and echoing, futuristic vocal effects. Playing songs from their “Alphaville” album, their set reflected the futuristic vibe of their 2020 album “Alphaville” including samples and orchestrations

During a jazz-fused interlude, members of the crowd up front took turns drinking from a bottle of champagne which one member poured down their mouth (and all over their face). It was good revelry and those up front relished the opportunity from this band they so admired. While a couple of fast drumming parts elicited mosh pits, much of the crowd stood watching in bewildered amazement. Again, they’re one of those bands either you love them or just don’t get it. Their set was a tremendous experience for those who “got it.”

Five years have passed since IMMOLATION released their last album “Atonement.” Those five years weren’t wasted. The group spent all that time refining their new album “Acts of God,” which really showed during this performance. While possessing the characteristics that fans come to expect from the group, this material is technical on a whole other level. “Noose of Thorns” was one of the highlights for Steve Shalaty’s cymbal play and drum patterns were eye-popping and memorable. Whether blasting straight forward, drilling double bass or doing fills, Shalaty’s drumming was impressive. Through a sea of hair, Ross Dolan followed Shalaty tightly on the bass.

Robert Vigna once again put on a stunning display of guitar acrobatics. His tricks such as his chopping guitar-style, pinch harmonics and use of melody make him a unique and creative player. One could marvel in how he manipulates and commands his guitar. He’s a master of creating dark harmonies, too. Former INCANTATION guitarist Alex Bouks traded off spectacular leads with Vigna. He had more input in writing the new album than the group usually afforded to their second guitarist, and it showed. There was a good chemistry between the two.

IMMOLATION took the stage to the dark atmosphere of intro “Abandoned,” the first track on “Acts of God.” Then they launched into the title track in the same order as the album. Much of their set consisted of “Acts of God” material, but they brought out classics culled from throughout their career. Dolan preempted “Into Everlasting Fire” by noting how the album this song came from, “Dawn of Possession,” turned 30-years-old last year. The group also played another “Dawn of Possession” song, their namesake track, “Immolation.” Other highlights included the tragic “Father, You’re Not My Father” and “Close to a World Below,” two tracks from the “Close to a World Below” album.

IMMOLATION put on a great performance. “Acts of God” was a major success and the packed crowd embraced that material wholeheartedly. Texas’ love of Death Metal showed as fans came out in droves from all over the state. IMMOLATION brought a lot of energy, which translated into pits. Ross Dolan’s voice was loud and powerful. I didn’t realize how commanding it was while taking photos. I had to hear it from a greater distance. With “Acts of God,” IMMOLATION really seemed to have broken out. Their performance really proved why they are top-tier death metal band.

Check the tour date info below to see if this tour is coming to your city:

02/18/2022 Richmond, VA @ The Broadberry

02/19/2022 Huntington, WV @ V Club

02/20/2022 Greensboro, NC @ Blind Tiger

02/21/2022 Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade

02/22/2022 Orlando, FL@ The Haven

02/24/2022 Houston, TX @ The Studio at Warehouse Live

02/25/2022 Dallas, TX @ Amplified Live

02/26/2022 Austin, TX @ Come and Take It Live

02/28/2022 Mesa, AZ @ Nile Theater

03/01/2022 Los Angeles, CA @ 1720

03/02/2022 San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall