The New York City Metal Scene was never dead, however on June 12th 2021, it was most certainly reborn into a whole new machine. After 16 months of isolation, with little to no shows from a certain virus that shall not be named, 5 bands at The Arrogant Swine in Brooklyn decimated the stage with their sounds of pure heaviness and emotion. These roars that we heard on stage were definitely echoed throughout the 5 boroughs of NYC and will forever echo through metal history. Whether people realize it or not, last night was the ultimate show that signifies a relentless and dedicated scene that cannot be stopped. 5 bands and an awesome new venue that will most certainly be the hot spot for shows this coming summer and it was completely sold out. New York City is back and it will be better than it ever was. 

Opening the stage, we got Final Siege. One of the best newcomers in the scene having elements of relentless thrash, hardcore and death metal, almost serving as a new age Sepultura. Guitarist/ Lead Vocals, Gil came on stage and made sure that they weren’t just opening up the stage, but they were opening up the mold that kept shows from happening the last 16 months. It didn’t take much to get the pit to open up and even a wall of death to start things off. Thats when we immediately knew that this was going to be a night of raw energy and power. Having a kick ass listening party for their album March to Your Grave at Duffs the week prior, they delivered the ultimate pregame to this show and then opened up the show perfectly. 

The second band that took the stage was a name we are all familiar with in the New York Underground, Lies Beneath. Groove is the ultimate way to describe this band. Groove, intensity, attitude and relentlessness. Playing classics from their albums Death of the American Dream and Rites of Reconstruction, Lies Beneath was not only a familiar face to bring us back to the good days before this god-forsaken pandemic, but also showed that they were not going anywhere and that they have a ton of gas left in the tank. Lies Beneath with their unique vocals and groove were able to represent an angst that many of us were feeling these last 16 months. 

The third band was a complete change of pace and what a great change it was indeed. Another newcomer to the scene, Fellahin Fall, who brings in the ultimate doom and gloom and serenading aspects of pure darkness. Having classic progressive and doom elements from bands such as Katatonia, Paradise Lost, My Dying Bride and even Opeth, Fellahin Fall was a blistering sound of pure emotion for an hour straight that was both chilling and trippy at the same time. Last year at the beginning of all the uncertainty, they released an album to give us something to look forward to called Tar a-Kan, and their performance last night was the perfect demonstration of the wait being worth it. Having a new EP in the works, Fellahin Fall is another face in the scene you want to keep up with as they continue to give us more to look forward to. 

After 3 performances, the hunger for more was still very much there. We get New York City’s finest when it comes to Melodic Death Metal, the one and only Solemn Vision. A band that needs no introduction but having the classic sounds from bands such as At The Gates, The Haunted, Insomnium and Swallow the Sun, we got hit with the full brunt of everything they have been holding back for the last 16 months. Opening up with their classic track Perish off of their self titled release from 2019, it was the ultimate opening track to signal that they are back and better than ever. Then we got a surprise. We got a full set of brand new songs that have never been heard before. This band was definitely using this time of isolation and uncertainty to their advantage as they were able to write new songs with kick ass screams and riffs. Aaron did not hold back on getting the crowd to interact with his screams and stage presence while Mauricio, Kadin, Anthony and Carlos played easily the tightest sets in their career as a band. Not only did they come back stronger than ever, but also gave us so much to look forward to with a bunch of new songs that are absolutely stunning. 

Finally we get to the headliner, and after four kick ass sets with a night of heavy drinking, you would think the audience got burned out and may have wanted to head to Duffs? NOPE. The crowd still stayed and they were in for a treat. The headliner of the night Nefariant was able to end this show on the tightest and heaviest note possible. Nefariant was able to close out 2020 as they had their debut performance at the Kingsland before the lockdown, and now they were able to come back with an absolute vengeance. Again, it ended with Nefariant and now it started once again with Nefariant. The ultimate supergroup combining elements of Ikillya, Grade8 and Alekhine’s Gun not only ended with one of the heaviest notes, but one of the most unique notes as well. Playing tracks off of their new EP, Fowl, Nefariant has easily created what is considered to be The Death Metal Lullaby. Having pure relentless vocals from bands such as Lamb of God and even Dark Tranquility all while having Keyboards to the sound of Type O Negative, you can almost consider Nefariant to be a new face of Gothic Death Metal. Hell, it is fair to say someone is calling them Lamb of Goth at this point. Tracks of pure relentlessness such as Victim were followed with gentle tracks such as Tonight. This band can play at your wedding and your funeral at the same time. With the gentle candles shining on stage while all members brought pure intensity and emotion on stage, Nefariant will be flying the flag of New York Metal for many years to come, and we knew that this was only the first taste. They didn’t leave the audience limping away, they left the audience wanting more. 

To quote Muhammad Ali, “If you ever dream of beating New York, you better wake up and apologize”. To all the people who say New York City is dead, time for you to do exactly that. These were just 5 of the many great bands in New York City, some have been around for a minute while others are new faces, and they managed to sell out the show twice. This show is not just signaling the end of all the pain we went through, but also signaling the many great things that are to come. While we are not out of the woods, all the songs that were played at The Arrogant Swine that night will serve as the soundtrack to how we have triumphed over this agony.