Carcass with Municipal Waste, Sacred Reich and Creeping Death at The Phoenix Concert Theatre. Toronto, Canada 4/16/23

Photos and Review : David De La Huerta

On the last night of my mini vacation, I had the privilege of covering some of my favorite metal bands. The British Death metal band Carcass is out on the road celebrating their North American tour with Municipal Waste, Sacred Raich and Creeping Death. The tour made a stop at the Phoenix Concert Theater in Toronto.

Starting off the evening was Creeping Death, a death metal band from Denton, Texas. They played a solid set that got the crowd moshing and head banging and set the tone for the rest of the evening. It was my first time seeing them live and I was impressed. The guitars had killer rhythm alternating between super slow and shred your face off fast riffs. The GA pit jumped to life and didn’t slow down during their entire set. Creeping Death has been around for quite a while, and I am not sure how I had never seen them before. They played a nice variety from their extensive catalog.

Setlist:

Humanity Transcends
Doused in Flames
Skinned Alive
The Edge of Existence
Bloodlust Contamination
Intestinal Wrap
Specter of War

Sacred Reich was up next. The band consists of Wiley Arnett (guitar), Dave McCain (drums), Joey Radziwill (guitar), and Phil Rind (lead vocals and bass). The band tore their way through a mix of new and old tracks such as “Devide and Conquer,” “Awakening” and “Salvation” a song dedicated to founding member Jason Rainey who passed away in 2020. Heavier riff-laden songs like “Ignorance” and “Death Squad” led to a massive mosh pit. Sacred Reich ended their set with “Surf Nicaragua” leaving the crowd wanting more. The set was an absolute treat for those who love classic 80s metal.

Since I saw Sacred Reich live last year with Sepultura, they have grown on me tremendously. Their charisma, stage presence and their music captured my attention. I was so lucky to be able to see them live again.

Setlist:

Divide & Conquer
The American Way
Manifest Reality
One Nation
Salvation
Ignorance
Awakening
Independent
Death Squad
Surf Nicaragua

Municipal Waste was up next, and they rocked the Phoenix Concert Theatre with such an energetic set that the crowd went nuts. I had seen them before and knew that things typically get wild when they play. They played for about an hour and a half, and the entire set was intense thrash metal. The venue was just about wrecked by fans tossing things around the GA area, moshing, crowd surfing and even tossing a plastic beach whale and empty cardboard boxes all over the place. It was absolute mayhem!

Municipal Waste could easily play for over three hours with the number of albums they have put out over the years. They played some of their best including “Demoralizer,” “Breathe Grease,” “Mind Eraser,” “Beer Pressure” and closed their set with “Wave of Death” and “Born to Party.” During the last two songs, vocalist Tony Faresta called for “more active circles of death in the mosh pit.” The crowd obliged and security had to call for backup.

Setlist:

Demoralizer
Breathe Grease
Mind Eraser
Beer Pressure
Thrashing’s My Business… And Business Is Good
The Thrashin’ of the Christ
Poison the Preacher
Grave Dive
You’re Cut Off
Sadistic Magician
Slime and Punishment
Headbanger Face Rip
Blood Vessel
High Speed Steel
Pre-Game
The Art of Partying
Wave of Death
Born to Party

It was time for the Metal legends Carcass to take the stage. The audience was already full of energy and pumped by the previous performances. Carcass consists of Jeff Wacker (bass and vocals), Bill Steer (guitars), Dan Wilding (drums). Jeff Walker continues performing with such a great voice and killer deep bass sounds and he makes it look so effortless. He just keeps getting better and better over the years.

Carcass played an extensive setlist that went through the history of all their full-length albums released over the years Necroticism – Descanting the Insalubrious, Headwork, Despicable, Swansong, Torn Arteries and more. Carcass is currently headlining this tour with this amazing lineup and will continue throughout April. No matter if you are young or old, every metalhead should experience this tour live. You will have the time of your life.