Arch Enemy, Fit For An Autopsy, BAEST & Throw Into Exile
April 22, 2025
Union Hall, Edmonton, AB
To begin, let me say that this could have easily been a 4-headliner show. Every band was just so insanely tight and ferocious, that my jaw was continaully dropped. Everybody sounded phenomenal.
To kick off the night was Thrown Into Exile. Fronted by an absolute beast, Evan Seidlitz – the man has the presence and power that are truly the makings of a great frontman. Disclaimer – I gave them a quick listen in the car a few days before the show, and I went in not expecting much. WRONG. MIND BLOWN. This band is absolutely STELLAR. The crushing guitar duo of Mario Rubio and Austin Monzon, coupled with a rhythm section that can shatter worlds, Tom Tierney and Javier Quinto lay a foundation that carries this juggernaut LA-based quintet through a blistering 5-song set.
BAEST were another pleasant surprise – The Danish 5-piece death metal act were one of the most fun bands I’ve seen in some time. Heavy as balls, and their stage antics were just over the top – the faces, the poses, it was all just so much fun. If you haven’t checked these guys out yet, definitely get them on your radar. It’s a shame I have to limit my photos for openers, because I caught a ton of super neat shots of these guys.
Next up, New Jersey Deathcore act Fit For An Autopsy. It doesn’t get much heavier than these dudes. Vocalist Joe Badolato is just a monster on stage, tearing through the songs like rabid animal. Guitarists Pat Sheridan and Tim Howley lay down the riffs like setting concrete blocks.. Big, fat riffs that you can’t help but headbang to, even with a camera pressed to your face.
Lastly, Swedish melodeath titans, Arch Enemy. I don’t really know what more that needs to be said – undisputed heavyweights of the genre, a career spanning 30 years, and history that includes some of the world’s finest musicians. Touring their brand new album “Blood Dynasty”, the album was released on March 25. While 4 of the 17 songs were from the new album (A Million Suns, Blood Dynasty, Dream Stealer, Liars & Thieves), the rest of the set was heavy with classics and fan favourites. Alissa White-Gluz has cemented her role in the band over the last 11 years, since her first appearance on “War Eternal”. This is the first time I’ve seen them with new guitarist Joey Concepcion, and while he has some pretty big shoes to fill after replacing Jeff Loomis, he did a fantastic job and seems to be a great addition to the band.
If this tour is coming near you, don’t miss out – every single act is an absolute powerhouse. This is easily one of the most consistent, high-quality tour lineups I think I’ve ever seen. From the first note to the very last, the entire night was just pure electricity.