Shock Narcotic hosts an extreme music blender at the Sanctuary in Detroit for the release of their debut album I Have Seen The Future And It Doesn’t Work.

Shock Narcotic is a new grindcore band from Detroit featuring Shawn Knight from Child Bite (vocals), Zack Gibson from Shitlife and Black Dahlia Murder (drums), Jeff Tuttle from Old Gods and Dillinger Escape Plan (guitars), and Don Slater from Battlecross (bass). To celebrate the release of their debut album I Have Seen The Future And It Doesn’t Work, they are throwing a party at the Sanctuary in Hamtramck (just outside of Detroit). You could think of this show as a mini Berserker festival in that it is a smorgasbord of extreme metal.

ScumRotten kicks off this extreme evening at the bar stage. Their music is two parts punk and one part metal. A thrashing spasm of rage sends the room hurtling towards mania. As more of the crowd fills in around the stage, a few energetic souls kick up their dancing shoes. This young band puts on one hell of a show. For even more fun, go get a copy of their new album Fun’s Over.

Turning the main stage into an unholy alter of blackened death is Triangulations. The word that pops into my brain as they being to play is fierce. This band radiates intensity with every blasting beat and tortured scream. The riffs flow like black bile from a demon’s lips. Closing your eyes, you can feel the sensation of hurtling towards oblivion. The crowd is enthralled with this masterful performance and for good reason.

Dialing up both the extremity and the creativity is Drink Their Blood from Kalamazoo. Few bands can go from crushing grooves to sublime interludes as well as Drink Their Blood. With songs that suffocate with brutality in one minute and release into a soothing jazz saxophone solo the next, this band capitalizes on contrast. In one set they captured the essence of music at its extreme and gleaming edge.

Every time I see Throne, I am blown away. They are easily one of the best death metal bands in the country. The performance at this show was breathtaking. Blasting drums and bass are complimented by menacing guitar as the vocals scream black messages of death. The beauty lies in their precise execution as they pulse with deathly fury. Given the enthusiastic response from the crowd, it is clear that we are all in enthralled by Throne.

Supporting their masterpiece called Unholy Infestation is Plague Years. Thrash has seen a resurgence and this band is rapidly climbing to the top. There is not a lot of room up front near the bar stage, but that hardly seems to matter. Once the band pounces into action, the mosh pit begins. Their brand of thrash reminds you of early Sepultura or Slayer. Plague Years delivers a full frontal assault with all guns blazing. As a bonus, they played a raging cover of “Desperate Cry” from Sepultura.

Axioma is one of those gorgeous extreme metal bands that defy categorization. For a frame of reference your best bet is Amenra or Remission-era Mastodon. The sheer vicious aural storm they deliver is invigorating and powerful. From the first burly chord and pummeling drum beat they bathed the audience is crashing waves of wrath. Axioma’s performance is introspective, contemplative, and commanding. If you missed their set, go get a copy of Crown and enjoy.

Stepping back into the dawn of extreme metal is bullet belted power trio known as Sekkusu. The audience holds clawed hands stretching toward the sky as the primordial metal roars into the night. The old gods of Celtic Frost and Bathory would be very pleased to hear Sekkusu. They create a new modern chapter in the book of extreme metal music. Get another fix with their new album entitled Satyromania.

From brooding red lights igniting into a blaze of white light, we embrace the grinding turmoil of Shock Narcotic. Vocalist Shawn Knight scrambles across the stage like a preacher under possession; spittle flying, fingers pointing, eyes emanating insanity. Guitarist Jeff Tuttle is a study in violence as he unfurls a rampage of riffs. Don Slater’s bass cuts like a meat clever as he stares at us with eyes glowing with psychosis. Methodical and punishing, drummer Zack Gibson unleashes waves of crushing death with the precision of an executioner wielding his ax.

Shock Narcotic blast through the entirety of the new I Have Seen The Future And It Doesn’t Work to the utter joy of the fans. The audience is swirling and churning in the pit, banging their heads, or staring in surreal calm as they witness mayhem on the stage. The band offers up a couple of new tunes before ending their set with a fitting cover of “Just One Fix” by Ministry. While our future is bleak, the present is on fire with music to enlighten our ride into annihilation. Thanks to Shock Narcotic and this assemble of magnificent bands for a joyous night of music.

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Shock Narcotic
Website | Facebook

Sekkusu
Website

Axioma
Website | Facebook | Twitter

Plague Years
Website | Facebook

Throne
Website | Facebook

Drink Their Blood
Website | Facebook

Triangulations
Website | Facebook

ScumRotten
Website | Facebook | Twitter

Sanctuary (Detroit)
Website | Facebook | Twitter

Event Date: 23-AUG-2019

About The Author

Chuck is a native Michigander. He grew up in Detroit, and later Pinckney. He now calls Ann Arbor home. Running is in Chuck’s blood. He has run several marathons and numerous other races. His favorite race is Dances with Dirt in Hell, Michigan. Chuck was first exposed to photography in 7th grade. He has been a photographer ever since, honing his skills shooting landscapes and most recently concerts. In addition to experiencing music from behind the camera, Chuck is a musician in his own right. He has been playing guitar since his teen years. He played in Detroit area metal band, Battalion, recorded two independent releases, and toured. Today when not covering concerts, you can find him online at his blog, Life In Michigan.