Photos and Review by David De La Huerta
On a frigid Sunday night in Toronto, the legendary Lee’s Palace was transformed from a local staple into a cathedral of sulfur and bone. As part of the Praise the Beast North American Tour 2026, Austria’s Belphegor returned to the city on February 22, joined by Incantation, Hate, and Narcotic Wasteland—a lineup no extreme metal fan would want to miss.
The night opened with South Carolina’s Narcotic Wasteland. Although it was my first time seeing them live, the trio delivered a tight, high-impact set that immediately warmed up the crowd. Led by Dallas Toler-Wade (formerly of Nile), alongside Kenji Tsunami on bass and Austin Vicars on drums, the band launched into their set with relentless speed and razor-sharp precision. Dallas’s signature riff work was on full display, proving that even as the opening act, they could command a mosh pit as fierce as any headliner. The trio left a strong impression on the Toronto crowd, and I’m already looking forward to their return.
Next up was Poland’s Hate, who proved why they remain one of the undisputed standard-bearers of blackened death metal. The veterans brought a cold, regal intensity to the stage. New material from their 2025 release Bellum Regis—particularly “Exile”—translated into a massive wall of sound: thick, driving, and utterly punishing.
Hate’s performance was raw and unrelenting from the first note. The crowd responded instantly, with waves of synchronized headbanging spreading across the venue. Adam “Adam the First Sinner” Buszko’s commanding vocals and razor-edged guitar tone, combined with Dominik “Domin” Prykiel’s crushing rhythm work, created the band’s unmistakable sonic weight. Daniel “Nar-Sil” Rutkowski’s ferocious double-bass drumming added immense force, while Tomasz Sadlak’s bass anchored the chaos with precision. They didn’t just play a set—they conducted a ceremony.
Setlist:
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Rugia
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Sovereign Sanctity
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Erebos
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The Wolf Queen
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Bellum Regiis
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Iphigenia
After a brief intermission, Incantation took the stage. When death metal pioneer John McEntee and his band emerged, they unleashed a crushing set rooted in their 1994 classic album Mortal Throne of Nazarene, performing most of it in full. It was a masterclass in cavernous riffs and sepulchral growls, and the crowd responded in kind.
The pit erupted instantly—moshing and crowd-surfing surged to another level. McEntee’s unmistakable, menacing growl cut through the venue as he traded crushing riffs with lead guitarist Luke Shively. Behind them, Charlie Koryn’s blistering double-bass work powered the performance with relentless intensity. Highlights for me included “The Ibex Moon,” “Iconoclasm of Catholicism,” and “Vanquish in Vengeance.” Hearing those tracks live was an unforgettable experience for longtime fans.
Incantation Setlist:
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Golgotha
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Carrion Prophecy
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Emaciated Holy Figure
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Iconoclasm of Catholicism
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Concordat (The Pact) I
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Blissful Bloodshower
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Profanation
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Vanquish in Vengeance
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The Ibex Moon
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Impending Diabolical Conquest
As soon as Incantation’s set concluded, Belphegor’s crew began transforming the stage. Darkness swallowed the room as fog rolled in, creating an eerie atmosphere. Medieval-inspired props—cast-iron torture devices adorned with skulls and goat carcasses—framed the drum kit, heightening anticipation throughout the venue.
Belphegor wasted no time launching into their set with “The Procession,” followed by staples such as “Baphomet,” “The Devil’s Son,” and “Sanctus Diaboli Confidimus.” The audience answered with absolute chaos in the pit—constant moshing and crowd-surfing pushed the energy to its peak. At times, roadies had to steady the elaborate stage props to keep everything secure amid the frenzy.
The band drew heavily from across their discography, including material from The Devils, Conjuring the Dead, Totenritual, and Lucifer Incestus, ensuring longtime fans were well served. One standout moment for me was watching Daniel Rutkowski pull double duty on drums for both Hate and Belphegor without missing a beat—delivering two commanding performances in a single night.
Frontman Helmuth’s menacing vocals and commanding stage presence anchored the set, backed by Serpenth’s crushing bass lines. For my first time seeing Belphegor live, they exceeded expectations, delivering a fierce and theatrical performance that left a lasting impression.
If you’re planning to catch this tour, there are still several North American dates remaining. Don’t miss it—lineups like this don’t come around often, and it’s rare to witness so many pillars of extreme metal sharing one stage in a single night.
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