Photos and Review by David De La Huerta
Thrash metal legends Dark Angel returned to Toronto for the first time in over three decades, bringing their “Extinction Level Event Tour” to The Phoenix Concert Theatre. The band demonstrated their technical supremacy, celebrating their comeback with a dynamic collection of their catalog alongside material from their newly released fifth studio album, Extinction Level Event. The anticipation was palpable, with long lines of fans outside the venue, eager for a high-energy, three-band bill promising relentless violence and intensity.
The Phoenix Concert Theatre became ground zero for a true thrash metal convergence. Featuring three distinct generations of extreme metal—from ferocious newcomers Void to genre pioneers Dark Angel—the night delivered a non-stop, high-velocity lesson in speed and precision.
Void: The New Bloods of Thrash
The task of opening this legendary thrash metal night fell to Maryland’s Void, introduced by Dark Angel’s vocalist, Ron Rinehart. The quartet kicked off the evening with a frenetic, tightly wound set, winning over the early crowd with sharp riffs and youthful energy. Void proved more than ready for the challenge, demonstrating why they are considered one of the freshest and most promising acts in the new wave of thrash metal. Their 30-minute set was a display of pure, unbridled sonic aggression, complemented by their ’80s-inspired look—Motley Crue-style outfits, long, fluffy hair, tight black jeans, and vintage Nike and Converse high-top sneakers.
Void’s sound is a masterclass in modern thrash precision, blending the ferocity of the Bay Area’s golden age with a darker, contemporary edge. Led by Jackson Davenport on vocals, with Gabe LeJeune and Chris Braune on guitars, Blake Adams on bass, and Aaron Landry’s lightning-fast, clean-sounding drums, their performance was stunning. Highlights included the blistering, riff-heavy track “Voodoo” and the crushing speed of fan-favorite “Return of the Phantom,” which primed the crowd for the veterans to follow.
Hirax: The Punk-Infused Bridge
After a brief intermission, Cypress, California’s Hirax took the stage, led by the inimitable Katon W. De Pena. The veteran unit delivered a set fueled by raw energy and punk urgency. De Pena, a commanding and constantly moving presence, worked the stage and crowd with the infectious zeal of a true believer, repeatedly thanking the Toronto faithful for their dedication to the genre.
Their performance was a masterclass in high-impact thrash, combining classic tracks like “Bombs of Death,” “Hate, Fear and Power,” and “El Diablo Negro,” which tore through the venue with unrelenting intensity. The mosh pit remained a force throughout their set, with Hirax serving as the perfect historical link between Void’s youthful chaos and Dark Angel’s veteran prowess. They announced their return to Toronto in 2026, a show already marked as a must-see.
Hirax Setlist:
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Hellion Rising
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Blind Faith
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Warlords Command
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Criminal Punishment
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The Plague
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Destroy
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Guitar Solo
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Lightning Thunder
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Hate, Fear, and Power
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Faster Than Death
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Drowned Bodies
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El Diablo Negro
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Bombs of Death
Hirax Current Members:
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Katon W. De Pena – Vocals
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Jose Gonzalez – Bass, Backing Vocals
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Mathew Morales – Drums
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Geremi Perez – Guitars, Backing Vocals
Dark Angel: A Cataclysmic Comeback
When Dark Angel took the stage, the air crackled with singular, focused intensity. The current lineup—featuring the unstoppable drumming of Gene Hoglan (Testament, Death To All), guitarists Eric Meyer and Laura Christine, bassist Mike Gonzalez, and vocalist Ron Rinehart—operated like a machine at maximum RPMs, engaging the Toronto audience with unmatched energy.
They launched into “Time Does Not Heal,” showcasing the breathtaking complexity and speed that define their legacy. Hoglan’s drumming was less a rhythm section and more a cataclysmic event, his feet driving a meticulously orchestrated onslaught through the Phoenix’s sound system. Rinehart, having overcome past health challenges, was a force of nature, delivering his signature abrasive bark with conviction and power, particularly during the fan-favorite “The Burning of Sodom.”
The seamless integration of new material was a highlight. Tracks like “Extinction Level Event” and “Apex Predator” weren’t mere fillers; they were immediate, crushing additions that flowed perfectly alongside classics like “Never to Rise Again.” These new songs honored the band’s signature intensity while showcasing a fresh, updated technical edge.
The climax was everything the faithful demanded: a triple-punch of “Death Is Certain (Life Is Not),” the iconic, terrifying speed of “Woke Up To Blood,” and a devastating performance of “Darkness Descends.” The band also paid a heartfelt tribute to their late drummer, Lee Rauch, a touching moment that resonated with longtime fans.
Dark Angel’s Setlist:
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Time Does Not Heal
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The Burning of Sodom
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No One Answers
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Extinction Level Event
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Never to Rise Again
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Apex Predator
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Merciless Death
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Sea of Heads
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Death Is Certain (Life Is Not)
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Woke Up To Blood
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Darkness Descends
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Perish in Flames
A Statement of Thrash Metal’s Vitality
This was not merely a reunion—it was a statement. Dark Angel hasn’t just returned; they’ve reset the clock on the genre. The Phoenix Concert Theatre bore witness to a historic comeback, proving that thrash metal remains a vital, unrelenting force in music history.
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