On the night of March 29th, VIP Station in São Paulo was the stage for an event that will forever be etched in the memory of extreme metal fans: the show by the Russian band Slaughter to Prevail .
With the pulsating energy and brutality that mark the essence of the deathcore band, the night began with a bang with the performance of the band Axty , punctually at 8:00 PM, who masterfully warmed up the crowd for the triumphant entrance that would follow. Playing their greatest hits, the band drove the audience wild, who sang along to several parts of the songs, especially "Dismay" and "Six Feet Under," which closed the acclaimed performance.
After the Brazilians' performance, the Russians took over at 9:00 PM, transforming the atmosphere into a true mix of fury and intensity. The charismatic frontman, Alex Terrible , delivered an impressive vocal performance, even as he closed the first series of shows this year.
Formed in 2014 in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg, the band, consisting of Alex Terrible (vocals), Jack Simmons (guitar), Mike Petrov (bass), and Anton Poddyachy (drums), stood out in the deathcore scene with its heavy sound marked by the gravity in Alex's voice, combined with a musical style that quickly became popular with extreme metal fans.
Despite a few minor issues with the volume adjustment, which didn't compromise the quality of the show, the band's performance was truly memorable for the fans in attendance, thanks to a carefully selected setlist.
“Bonebreaker” opened the night with a seismic impact, setting the stage for the explosion of “Baba Yaga,” one of the night's highlights. The song, with its power and relentless riffs, demonstrated that the band was fully present and only getting started. With constant interactions with the naturally warm Brazilian audience, the band continued the performance, thanking them several times for the reception.
“Conflict” and “Koschei” maintained the intensity, which, despite being equally relentless, didn't prepare the audience for one of the best and most anticipated moments of the night: “Viking”. The song, with its cadence and powerful chorus, led the audience to experience one of the most anticipated parts of the band's live performances: Alex's microphone-free scream during the “ unsatisfied primal fear ” section.
It was with this emotion and enthusiasm that the night continued with "Bratva" and "Grizzly," which showcased the band's versatility and creativity in their compositions. The sequence of "Hell" and "1984" maintained the exhilarating atmosphere and ensured a Brazilian audience that sang along in unison to the Russian-language sections. Then, "I Killed a Man" became one of the night's most memorable moments.
To close the night, the hits “Behelit,” with an honorable mention from Alex to fans of the anime Berserk , and “Kid of Darkness” kept the energy high for an audience that seemed far from tiring, paving the way for the hit that closed the band's debut with a golden touch. We are talking about the unparalleled “Demolisher,” which has become an anthem of extreme metal. The audience's response was a true anthem of fury, ensuring that the farewell to Brazil was also an invitation for a brief return of the band.
I must give special mention to the stage presence and interaction of the band members with the audience, who, in addition to embodying the thematic performance of each song, responded with charisma to the enthusiastic contact from the public.
Besides, I don't even need to mention the creativity of the fans who dressed up in costumes and got a good laugh from the Slaughter guys on stage, do I? For these reasons and more, this night was certainly an experience that will not be forgotten by the fans.
I dare say that tonight was a demonstration of Slaughter to Prevail's strength and talent. As a fan of the classics and an enthusiast of the origins of heavy metal, bands like this renew the hope that new sounds and new variations of the genre can emerge and honor the history that has been built, dispelling the pseudo-claims that "rock is dead." Yesterday, in São Paulo, rock proved itself more alive than ever.
With renewed spirits, an impeccable performance, and the brutality that is the essence of the Russians, they provided a memorable night for the fans present, who left the venue with the feeling of witnessing a historic show, far beyond the ecstasy of anticipating the band's debut on Brazilian soil.
Check out the photos by Rafael Andrade:
READ ALSO : Slaughter to Prevail: 5 interesting facts about today's most beloved deathcore band
