Heavy snow and slick roads were in the forecast on a brisk January evening in Albany, New York. Despite less than ideal conditions, metalheads young and old braved the weather to rock out with metal legends Nile and Six Feet Under on their Revenge of the Underworlds tour. Joining these metal heavy hitters were Psycroptic and Embryonic Autopsy, who started off the night at Empire Live.
Death metal band, Embryonic Autopsy took the stage in their pursuit of 90s old school death metal. Bathed in blue and green stage lights, lead vocalist Tim King stayed front and center stage while belting out low guttural vocals that were complemented by heavy drums and aggressive guitar riffs.
Their 6 track setlist succeeded in warming up and energizing the crowd who were continuing to trickle in. As the crowd grew, Australian natives, Psycroptic took the stage in a whirlwind of headbanging and movement. This technical death metal band came alive with a mix of metal grooves and heavy beatdowns. Although the lead vocalist, Jason Peppiatt, was unable to join the tour, the capital region's own Jason Keyser stepped up to fill the role. Keyser fit right in, joking about his “australian accent” and taunting the crowd in an effort to encourage the fans in the mosh pit. Their slightly longer 7 track setlist continued the crowds energy that had built in anticipation for the next band and co-headliner Six Feet Under.
The 90’s death metal pioneers could be heard warming up backstage as the crowd, that had doubled in size, cheered in anticipation. The iconic mosh pit circle had already been formed with eager fans standing at the ready to throw down. From the moment lead vocalist and founding member Chris Barnes and his fellow bandmates took the stage, the mosh pit was active. Barnes didn’t disappoint with his well known deep, heavy voice as the band played through their 16 track set.
Their set was packed with popular favorites that mirror the bands favorite song subjects of violence and gore, perfect for moshing to. Notable member and guitarist Jack Owens who, with Barnes, were founding members of the popular death metal band Cannibal Corpse. As a nod to their history, the band ended on a high with the song Cannibal Corpse classic Hammer Smashed Face, much to the crowd's excitement. An eerie calm followed Six Feet Under’s exit as the set up began for their metal brothers and the second headliner, Nile.
An Egyptian style song began to play as the band made their entrance and launched into the song Sacrifice Unto Sebek, the first of their 14 track set. Known for their lyrics and style structured around Egyptology and H.P. Lovecraft, Nile blew the crowd away with heavy drums and continuous shredding from each member. Taking the lead on vocals was bassist Daniel Vadim Von with his powerful, aggressive voice that would shake the underworld. Midway through the set the band paused for guitarist Karl Sanders to lead the crowd in the rally cry “F*ck the snow!” and thanking fans for braving the weather.
Deep red and blue stage lights silhouette the death metal pioneers as they head banged, shredded, and screamed their way through each song with fans following along. Ending out the night with their song Black Seeds of Vengeance, Nile thanked the audience as they exited the stage. Fans began to trickle out as they once again bundled up to face the snow, bringing them back to reality from the underworld of death metal.
*A full gallery of photos Hilary Crannage-Gallina are on the photos page.