FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE CO-HEADLINING WITH SHADOW OF INTENT FEATURING SPECIAL GUESTS INGESTED, THE ZENITH PASSAGE, AND DISEMBODIED TYRANT
09/29/2024
Concert Review
By Maggie Martinez: Photographer / Writer
Parking down the street from The Orpheum, I stepped out into Tampa’s signature thick humidity, the kind that clings to your skin like an unwanted second layer. The walk to the building felt like a slow march, as the glow of the marquee reading “Fleshgod Apocalypse” in bold black letters beckoned metalheads into the night’s impending chaos. The line stretched around the corner and down the street, packed with fans draped in fifty shades of black, the unofficial uniform of the evening. Above us, dark clouds hovered, adding to the atmosphere. There were no reports of rain though, just the promise of five brutal death metal bands ready to riff.
DISEMBODIED TYRANT
The night kicked off with Disembodied Tyrant, a relatively fresh name in the metal scene, but you’d never guess that from their commanding stage presence. As they launched into their first track, the energy was palpable. Heads were banging right from the start, and it quickly became clear that Disembodied Tyrant wasn’t here to just warm up the crowd – they were here to leave an impression. Blake Mullens, the driving force behind the band, showcased not only his technical skills on guitar but also delivered crushing vocals simultaneously, a feat that’s impressive for any musician, let alone in a deathcore setting.
Their set, though brief, was packed with atmospheric symphonic deathcore riffs and intense, relentless drumming that kept the crowd locked in. Mullens’ guttural, ghoulish vocals reverberated through the room, adding another layer of darkness to the band’s already haunting sound. As both the singer-songwriter and producer, Mullens’ talent was undeniable, and it’s clear that Disembodied Tyrant is poised to make waves in the metal world.
For a band on their first tour, they carried themselves well, living up to the hype that’s been building around them in the scene. With performances like this, it’s only a matter of time before they become a staple in the deathcore genre, and I’m eager to see what they do next. Disembodied Tyrant is definitely one to watch.
Blake Mullens – Vocals / Guitar
Dominic Petro – Guitar
Lucas Koughan – Bass
Kevin Alexander – Drums
SETLIST
Icarian
Aberrant Waltz
Malphasian
The Poetic Edda
THE ZENITH PASSAGE
The Zenith Passage took the stage next. From the first note, the band’s technical ability was on full display. Their razor-sharp precision cut through the venue, with twisting rhythms and intricate melodies that stretched the boundaries of tech death. But The Zenith Passage isn’t just about technicality for its own sake – they manage to weave these complex elements into their songs with structure and hooks that grab the listener. Their ability to balance mind-bending riffs with memorable melodies set them apart from many of their peers in the technical death metal world.
James Dortman stepped in (seamlessly, I might add) for regular vocalist Derek Rydquist, and the change definitely had the crowd’s attention. Tracks like “Divinertia I” and “Divinertia II” showcased the band’s ability to seamlessly blend headbanging grooves with tricky, stop-and-start riffing that kept the crowd on their toes. Meanwhile, songs like “The Axiom Error” and “Synaptic Depravation” leaned into speed and technicality, with lead guitar lines that dazzled but never overwhelmed. The orchestral layers sprinkled throughout the set added a cosmic, atmospheric element that elevated the sound without taking center stage.
It was the surprise appearance of Geoffrey Ficco, former frontman of The Faceless, that ignited the audience yet again towards the end of the set. Ficco joined for a single song, and his visceral growls paired with Dortman’s prior performance made for an unforgettable set.
The Zenith Passage delivered an immersive, progressive experience that transcended typical tech death. Their cosmic atmosphere, flawless execution, and varied vocal performance brought an engaging and captivating energy to the night, making their set a true highlight for fans who appreciate complexity and musicianship without sacrificing the raw power of the genre.
James Dorton – Vocals (Filling in for Derek Rydquist)
Geoffrey Ficco – Guest Vocals
Justin McKinney – Guitar
Christopher Beattie – Guitar
Max Sepulveda – Drums
SETLIST
The Axiom of Error
Lexicontagion
Synaptic Depravation
Divinertia I
Divinertia II
Algorithmic Salvation
INGESTED
When Ingested took the stage, they wasted no time firing up the crowd. Frontman Jason Evans commanded attention from the start, immediately demanding a circle pit and playfully mocking Tampa by comparing its speed to Myrtle Beach’s speed from the night before. The friendly challenge ignited the audience, and Tampa rose to the occasion with a nasty pit that left no doubt about their commitment to the havoc. Ingested’s manic energy surged through the room as they tore into their set, their savage riffs and Evans’ guttural vocals keeping the momentum relentless. Three bands in, and the crowd showed no signs of slowing down.
The Manchester death metal outfit straddles the line between deathcore, death metal, and slam with expert precision, blending elements from each to cement their status as the UK kings of slam. With their latest release, The Tide of Death and Fractured Dreams, backing them, Ingested delivered a masterclass in sonic brutality. The crowd erupted as they opened with “Paragon of Purity,” setting the tone for a pummeling set.
During “Shadows In Time,” Evans once again rallied the crowd, challenging them to form the biggest circle pit of the night, and the audience obliged with ferocious energy. After restarting the song to push the pit even further, the venue turned into a whirlwind of limbs and bodies, a perfect match for the barrage of wicked sounds from guitarist Sean Hynes and the aggressive drumming of Lyn Jeffs. The sheer force behind their performance was like a sonic fistfight—an unrelenting beatdown of chugging riffs and pummeling rhythms that left the crowd in a state of hysteria.
Between songs, Evans expressed the band’s excitement about touring the U.S. and hinted at their return in February 2025 with Aborted Metal. For those who witnessed Ingested’s devastating set in Tampa, it’s clear that catching them live again is non-negotiable.
Jason Evans – Vocals
Sean Hynes – Guitar
Lyn Jeffs – Drums
Dominic Grimard – Bass (Studio Only)
SETLIST
Paragon of Purity
Pantheon
Shadows in Time
Better Off Dead
Cremated Existence
Impending Dominance
SHADOW OF INTENT
As the crowd, now fully primed and restless, awaited Shadow of Intent, the atmosphere inside The Orpheum grew feral. From the moment they took the stage, the band wasted no time plunging the audience into a punishing, relentless assault of sound. Shadow of Intent didn’t just perform, they demolished. The precision and intensity of their set were jaw-dropping, with each breakdown hitting harder than the last, sending the crowd into chaotic pits that grew more amped up by the minute. Ben Duerr’s vocals were thick, guttural, and downright nasty, perfectly complemented by Bryce Butler’s insane drumming, which drove the set’s thunderous pace.
The band was incredibly tight, with every song sounding like a calculated attack. They played their newest single “Flying the Black Flag” which fans, new and old alike, screamed along with. “The Heretic Prevails” was a massive highlight, sending shockwaves through the venue as the combination of synths, keys, and high-energy riffs whipped the crowd into a frenzy. Duerr’s guttural lows were matched by Chris Wiseman’s sharp, piercing highs, creating a murderous blend of vocal diversity that enhanced the song’s already devastating impact. Andrew Monias’ bass was a monster of its own, anchoring the synths and riffs with deep, powerful resonance.
The backing tracks, while prominent, added a sweeping, orchestrated atmosphere that elevated the set. It never felt like a crutch, but more like a carefully crafted layer that enhanced the grandeur of their sound. And with Butler’s wicked blast beats cutting through the madness, Shadow of Intent managed to sound studio-quality in a way that not many deathcore bands can replicate live.
As things got rowdier in the pit, a slew of crowd surfers began to launch themselves into the air towards the stage one by one, and the venue’s security handled it swiftly and professionally, keeping the energy high and the chaos contained. By the time they launched into their encore, “Malediction,” the floor was a sea of bodies, headbanging in unison to the explosive blast beats and neck-snapping rhythms.
Shadow of Intent’s set was an unrelenting experience, an onslaught of unadulterated deathcore. Ben Duerr’s gut-wrenching vocals, paired with the band’s sweeping melodies and brutal breakdowns, created a audio storm that no one in the room will forget anytime soon.
Ben Duerr – Vocals
Chris Wiseman – Guitar / Backing and Clean Vocals
Andrew Monias – Bass / Backing Vocals
Bryce Butler – Drums
SETLIST
Blood in the Sands of Time
Gravesinger
Intensified Genocide
Flying the Black Flag
The Migrant
Barren and Breathless Macrocosm
The Heretic Prevails
Where Millions Have Come to Die
Embracing Nocturnal Damnation
Reconquest
From Ruin… We Rise
Malediction
FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE
Italian symphonic death metal giants Fleshgod Apocalypse were on next. With an extensive array of stage props adding to their already grandiose aesthetic, it took a bit of time for the crew to set up, but it was worth the wait. Their theatrical presentation, complete with piles of skulls, a concert piano, and impeccable costumes, added another layer to the performance. Promoting their new album Opera, which explores overcoming life’s hardships (particularly a brutal climbing accident sustained by frontman Francesco Paoli), Fleshgod Apocalypse took the stage with a palpable intensity.
With their new lineup, they delivered a performance that was incredibly well-produced and well-executed. From the moment they opened with “Ode To Art (De’ Sepolcri),” it was clear that we were in for something special. As she held the Italian flag proudly, Veronica Bordacchini began to sing in Italian, her operatic vocals weaving through the air with haunting precision. Slowly building energy, she seamlessly blended into their next song, new single “I Can Never Die”, with grandeur, waving the Italian flag triumphantly as the lights strobed and the audience roared with approval.
Fleshgod Apocalypse’s technical precision was jaw-dropping. Between their lightning-fast drums, intricate piano runs, and roaring vocals, they created a sonic landscape that felt both brutal and cinematic. Every member of the band performed with the grace and confidence of seasoned professionals, yet their intensity made it feel like each song was the climactic finale of their set. They played older songs off of Agony and Labrinyth, more recent songs off of Veleno and King, as well as highlighting new tracks from Opera like “Bloodclock” and “Pendulum.”
Frontman Francesco Paoli’s growls and roars contrasting with songbird Veronica’s soprano notes were highlighted mid-set in “Morphine Waltz”, which caused a “mosh-querade” to ensue in the pit. Concertgoers were waltzing with each other left and right, alternating with moments of moshing and thrashing about. Whether delivering punishing riffs or melodic symphonic moments, the band had the crowd in the palm of their hands from start to finish. The complex arpeggio runs, searing guitar solos, and relentless blast beats left the audience awestruck. The way Fleshgod blends orchestral elements with crushing death metal riffs elevates their sound to a level few bands match – heavy and brutal, but with an epic, theatrical quality that makes their music feel larger than life.
To close the night on a surprising and playful note, they ended with a fan-favorite cover of “Blue (Da Ba Dee)” by Eiffel 65. Drummer Eugene Ryabchenko teased the melody on the piano before Francesco Ferrini slammed a skull onto the keys, prompting a tongue-in-cheek moment where the band joked with the audience: “Are you sure you want to end the night with this shit?” The crowd erupted in cheers, eager for the quirky send-off. As they said their goodbyes, Fleshgod Apocalypse expressed their love for Tampa as the “birthplace of death metal” and gave heartfelt condolences for the damage caused by Hurricane Helene, ending the evening on both a lighthearted and compassionate note.
Francesco Paoli – Vocals / Bass
Veronica Bordacchini – Vocals
Francesco Ferrini – Piano / String Arrangements / Orchestral Effects
Fabio Bartoletti – Guitar / Backing Vocals
Eugene Ryabchenko – Drums
SETLIST
Ode to Art (de’ Sepolcri)
I Can Never Die
Healing Through the War
Sugar
Minotaur (The Wrath of Poseidon)
No
Morphine Waltz
Epilogue
Bloodclock
The Fool
Pendulum
The Violation
Blue (Da Ba Dee)
The night was a celebration of the genre’s relentless brutality and its ability to unite a crowd under the banner of aggression, skill, and raw emotion. Whether through blistering riffs, epic breakdowns, or operatic flourishes, this show captured the essence of death metal’s duality—ferocious yet unifying, chaotic yet purposeful. It was a night that reminded everyone why this genre continues to thrive, bringing fans together in shared, cathartic release.
DISEMBODIED TYRANT:
THE ZENITH PASSAGE:
INGESTED:
SHADOW OF INTENT:
FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE:
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