The Essex deathcore four-piece, Beyond Extinction, made their way to Dublin’s Sin É on Saturday, October 25th, delivering a set that was nothing short of a sonic demolition. Riding the massive momentum of their highly-anticipated debut album, Where They Gather, the band proved exactly why they are currently considered standard-bearers for the new wave of downtempo deathcore, trading in visceral intensity and suffocating weight.
They also chose their support bands wisely, with openers Tayne setting the tone with their unique and original blend of ‘Industrial Noise Pop’ that sounded both refreshingly new and somewhat familiar at the same time. Their sound constantly changes from heavy and trashy guitars to a vast soundscape, and for a three piece, they know how to create a massive sound, and as it was my first time seeing them, they definitely left an impression. I’ll be keeping an eye on these guys.
Belfast’s Nomadus were up next, and if you’re looking for some down (tuned) and dirty riffs played under some dark and Norse-esque vocals, these are your guys. You can tell these guys take their music seriously, and lean into their trash/progressive influences without compromise. They have a huge sound and almost duelling lead guitars that play off and compliment each other perfectly, and this is backed by one of the heaviest rhythm sections I’ve seen in a while. Relentless drums blended with heavy bass lines played with precision.
From the moment the opening siren and radio chatter of their album intro faded, Beyond Extinction launched into a relentless, high-octane performance. Vocalist Jasper Harmer is a force of nature, seamlessly shifting between blood-curdling screeches and revolting gutturals that perfectly capture the dystopian, nihilistic themes of their new material. His stage presence is pure, unbridled aggression, providing a necessary focal point amidst the musical chaos.
The setlist was heavily focused on the new record, transforming tracks like the title cut, “Where They Gather,” and the grooving, punishing “Traitors To The Ropes” into electrifying, pit-starting anthems. Dual guitarists Danny Russell and Jude Bennett maintained a razor-sharp precision, executing the band’s signature offensively low-tuned riffs and slamming breakdowns with a crushing, almost militaristic accuracy. The rhythmic core, driven by drummer Niall Ali, was relentlessly heavy, providing minimal breathing room for the capacity crowd.
What sets Beyond Extinction apart live is their ability to blend pure, crushing brutality with an unexpected accessibility. While the sound is dense and aggressive the soundtrack to a ruined world, as they often describe it their use of ambient synths and well-crafted song structures ensures the audience is hooked, not just battered. The energy exchange with the crowd was immediate; and despite some initial technical issues the band blasted through a set that seemed to be over way too soon.
Beyond Extinction’s debut Irish show was an emphatic success. They are a band that lives up to the hype, delivering one of the most uniquely intense and oppressive live experiences in the modern extreme metal scene. If you like your metal heavy, precise, and executed with sheer, unfiltered rage, Beyond Extinction’s tour is mandatory viewing. They didn’t just play a set; they laid siege to the city.
Tayne photos:
Nomadus photos:
Beyond Extinction photos:
Photos & Words – David McEneaney @experimentzero