Whitechapel Brings an Unstoppable Force at St. Andrew’s Hall

On the brisk evening of March 26th, Saint Andrews Hall in Detroit became the epicenter of a sonic onslaught as the ‘Hymns of Dissonance’ Tour rolled into town. Headlined by Deathcore titans Whitechapel, the lineup also featured the formidable talents of Brand of Sacrifice, 200 Stab Wounds, and Alluvial. Fans packed the historic venue, eager for a night of unrelenting intensity.​

 

 

ALLUVIAL

 

 

 

 

Kicking off the evening, Alluvial took the stage promptly at 6:30 PM. As the band took the stage, the night was ready to unfold. Like a starting pistol in a race, the first word’s of “Exponent” rang out with “Show me all you’ve learned,” sending the stage into high-speed riffage, which foreshadowed a pattern of the night. Given the headliner of the night, expectations were high, and Alluvial proved that they knew how to start a show right. Anyone who wasn’t familiar with the band before tonight sure was now, and the band made sure of it.

 

 

 

200 STAB WOUNDS

 

 

 

 

Next up was 200 Stab Wounds, who unleashed a relentless barrage of old-school death metal riffs and guttural vocals, both simultaneously also coming from the frontman. OG fans of Whitechapel and any fans of the genre had a frenzy with this band, as songs like “Hands of Eternity,” “Skin Milk,” and set closer “Tow Rope Around the Throat” ignited a flame of energy in the crowd that would be sustained until final curtain call of the night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

BRAND OF SACRIFICE

 

 

 

 

Taking the stage next was the Canadian-hailing Brand of Sacrifice, who delivered a punishing set that blended deathcore brutality with symphonic elements. The putrid guttural capabilities of Kyle Anderson were the bow that wrapped together this crushing quartet. Also, in case anyone is curious, he’s got shoe game. From fan favorites like “Lifeblood,” “Demon King,” and even the inclusion of a new song yet to be released, Brand of Sacrifice had the crowd enthralled and trapped in their grip of sonic onslaught. Gearing up for the headliners is a big ask, but they more than delivered. Finishing with an oldie but ultimate fan favorite, the band closed their set with “Eclipse” as a final sprint to the finish line before the audience’s last break for the night until the home stretch.

 

 

 

WHITECHAPEL

 

 

 

 

It was finally time. The anticipation reached its peak, and with deer skull figures decorating the stage, paying homage to the Hymns of Dissonance album cover, Whitechapel emerged from the darkness to a roar of applause. Opening with “Prisoner 666,” the opening track of their newest album, they immediately asserted their dominance over the audience as they prepared to bludgeon them with a powerhouse force to be reckoned with. Knowing full well what they were up against, they accepted the challenge with open arms.

 

 

There’s something so poetic about the warm embrace and acceptance of something so capable of pure destruction. The setlist showcased a blend of new material from their latest album, and classic tracks that have become staples in their live shows. Highlights included the live debut of “Hate Cult Ritual,” which sent shockwaves through the crowd, and a visceral rendition of “This Is Exile” that had fans screaming along.

 

 

Yes, it still holds up after all these years. The band’s tight performance and frontman Phil Bozeman’s guttural vocals reaffirmed their position at the pinnacle of the deathcore scene. As the final notes echoed through Saint Andrews Hall, it was clear that the Hymns of Dissonance Tour had delivered a masterclass in modern death metal. Each band brought their unique flavor to the stage, contributing to an unforgettable night for Detroit’s metal community.