April 28, 2026
Concert Review
By: Ben Lowman: Photographer/Writer
New York City was hit by a lineup of some of modern metal’s most brutal bands. Attila and Whitechapel supporting Russia’s own Slaughter to Prevail brought a night to remember to Hammerstein Ballroom. I have personally seen Slaughter to Prevail multiple times, including years ago when they were playing rooms a fraction of the size of Hammerstein Ballroom, including New York’s Irving Plaza and New Jersey’s Starland Ballroom. The band has stated this tour to be their last big tour before a long hiatus to be with family and friends, as Slaughter to Prevail’s front man Alex Terrible welcomed his first child last year.
Attila
SETLIST:
CONCRETE THRONE
Moshpit
AMERICA’S REJECTS
Bite Your Tongue
Middle Fingers Up
Shots for the Boys
Proving Grounds
About That Life
Whitechapel
There is not much more to say about Whitechapel other than they are one of the greatest to ever do it. With the band approaching it’s 20th year since inception, vocalist Phil Bozeman remains to be at the top of the food chain when it comes to deathcore vocals. With their most recent album from 2-25, “Hymns in Dissonance” brought Whitechapel back into the scene, and the band sounds better than ever. The ballistic 40 minute set treated fans new and old to live deathcore at its peak.
Whitechapel played 6 songs off of their newest album before delivering an encore that would bring an old school Whitechapel fan to tears. The band brought an intensity that so many groups could ever dream of. If any attendees of this show had not heard Whitechapel before, I have no doubt in my mind that they are fans now. A performance deserving of so much praise, Whitechapel cement themselves as something truly special for deathcore, and they do not seem like they are slowing down.
SETLIST:
Prisoner 666
Hymns in Dissonance
A Visceral Retch
Bedlam
Ex Infernis
Hate Cult Ritual
The Somatic Defilement
Devirgination Studies
Prostatic Fluid Asphyxiation
This Is Exile
Slaughter To Prevail
As mentioned in the intro, seeing Slaughter to Prevail play the near 3,500 capacity Hammerstein Ballroom only a few years after playing venues less than half the size was quite surreal. The band has cemented themselves as one of the top modern dogs of deathcore along with Lorna Shore. If you have attended one of Slaughter to Prevail’s show, it is easy to see why they ascended over most extreme bands in the scene. The band played a tight set and vocalist Alex Terrible has made himself into a true rock star. It was revealed on his social media after this show that he had performed with a fever and I would never have guessed, a true testament to his performance skills.
This was their largest tour to date, supporting their most recent album release “Grizzly” which included songs on the set like “Russian Grizzly in America” and the song that arguably propelled them further into the spotlight, “Viking.” The only song bigger than “Viking” is the band’s finale to the setlist, “Demolisher,” which gave them the initial boost. The only complaint I can see fans having with the set is if they are old school fans and miss the songs off of their first EP and full album, maybe next time!
The crowd energy was palpable for Slaughter to Prevail’s entire set, ranging from headbanging to singing along to some of the biggest circle pits I have seen at Hammerstein Ballroom. Alex Terrible’s stage presence and big moments entice the crowd and get the adrenaline pumping. Hopefully the band’s hiatus is not extraordinarily long so fans can witness them live once again!
SETLIST:
Bonebreaker
Banditos
Russian Grizzly in America
Viking
Bratva
Baba Yaga
Koschei
Drum Solo
Conflict
Kid of Darkness
Behelit
Encore:
Demolisher
New York City was demolished by Attila, Whitechapel and the almighty Slaughter to Prevail. Seeing deathcore being at the forefront at a venue this size truly makes me happy and hopeful for the future of the subgenre. Hopefully it continues to expand and more bands can hit the road and play venues of this caliber!
Slaughter To Prevail:
WHITECHAPEL:
ATTILA:
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