Glasgow’s Slay played host to an unforgettable night of crushing heaviness on March 3rd, 2025, with a lineup that covered all corners of extreme metal. From deathcore to old-school death metal, this gig had something for everyone, and the energy in the room was nothing short of electric.
First up was Australia’s Mélancolia, a relatively new force in the scene, having formed in 2022. Their
debut album, HissThroughRottenTeeth, set the tone for their blend of melodic blackened deathcore with eerie industrial gothic undertones. Making their Glasgow debut, they were met with a fantastic reception from the crowd. Frontman Alex Hill commanded the stage with an imposing presence, and the band’s performance was nothing short of excellent. Their eerie yet crushing sound was a perfect start to the night, setting the bar high for what was to come.
Next up was Carcosa from Vancouver, a three-piece melodic deathcore act that delivers a relentless assault, even without a bass player. Their set was tight, aggressive, and full of breakdowns that got the pit moving. However, a slightly awkward moment arose when Johnny Ciardullo, in introducing the next acts, seemed to forget the name of the band following them. Whether it was an honest slip or something more dismissive, it did take a little away from their closing moments. That said, their performance was undeniable, proving that even as a trio, they could hold their own and deliver a heavy-hitting set.
Hailing from the US, Fuming Mouth brought a more traditional death metal sound to the lineup. Fronted by Mark Whelan, who has battled and beaten cancer, the band exuded a newfound vigor that was immediately infectious. Whelan’s stage presence was commanding, and his constant
encouragement for the crowd to keep moshing and slamming ensured the energy in the room never dropped. Their performance was raw and intense, a welcome old-school element in a night filled with
deathcore brutality.
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As the second-to-last band of the night, AngelMaker took the stage and turned Slay into an absolute battlefield. With seven , including three guitarists, their sound was an overwhelming wall of aggression. Formed in 2011 and boasting four albums to their name, they have refined their craft into a well-oiled machine of sonic destruction. Their execution was flawless, their stage presence commanding, and they were an absolute joy to photograph. If you ever get the chance to see them live, don’t hesitate—it’s an experience worth having.
Finally, the main event. Suffocation needs no introduction. When you talk about death metal, this is one of the names that commands immediate respect. Their live show is like a relentless war machine—unstoppable, crushing, and leaving nothing but destruction in its wake. Watching Derek Boyer wield his
custom bass like a weapon and set it upright while headbanging is something that never gets old. Terrance Hobbs, a legend in his own right, continues to defy logic with his nonstop headbanging, making photographers’ jobs a true challenge.
There’s simply nothing negative to say about Suffocation’s performance—it was perfect. Even though it was past 11 PM on a Monday night by the time they wrapped up, I would have stayed another hour just to witness more of their sonic devastation.
A massive shoutout to everyone who made this show possible—the bands, the organizers, and of course, the fans. Without the dedicated metal community, nights like this wouldn’t be possible. Slay was the perfect battleground for this onslaught of brutality, and this gig will be ed as one of the best of 2025 so far.
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Photos by Non Serviam
