Melodic death metal has evolved from a mere subgenre of death metal into a distinct and influential movement. Bands like At the Gates and In Flames paved the way with seminal albums like Slaughter of the Soul, Colony, and Clayman, infusing the genre with their unique vibe, atmosphere, and energy. Originating in Gothenburg, Sweden, this movement has inspired subsequent developments in death metal, black metal, and metalcore.

The enduring legacy of the melodic death metal pioneers continues to resonate across various bands and scenes. New York City has emerged as a vibrant hub for this genre, hosting the Now That’s What I Call Melodic Death Metal festival at Brooklyn Meadows on 5/27. Thanks to Visionary Booking, this community event has shone as brightly as our historic hardcore scene. Solemn Vision, a homegrown band from NYC, headlined the festival, delivering a stellar performance that showcased their own interpretation of melodic death metal. The festival’s two stages were alive with resonating riffs, guttural growls, and thunderous blast beats that left our ears ringing long after the event.

The festival featured underground bands from all corners of the country, each offering their unique take on the pulverizing genre. The roster consisted of Solemn Vision, The Hudson Horror, Dead City Crown, Iatt, Oak Ash and Thorn, Ice Giant, Breath of the Moor, Insurreal, Kraegeloth, and Svn Seeker.

Among them, Ice Giant from Boston stood out with their thrash-infused melodic death metal. Drawing inspiration from At the Gates and Municipal Waste, Ice Giant’s sound was akin to a blend of these two powerhouse artists. Their performance, highlighted by atmospheric intros and crowd favorites like “Emergence” and “Home for Eternity,” captivated the audience and showcased Boston as an exceptional music hub.

Breath of the Moor, a supergroup composed of talented musicians from various projects, represents the essence of melodic death metal in the New York City scene. What sets them apart is their ability to create engaging, longer songs that never lose their captivating allure. With just four songs, Breath of the Moor managed to convey a wealth of emotion and left the audience craving more. Tracks like “Hereditary,” “Nexus,” and the debut “Own Worst Enemy” demonstrate the band’s potential to steer the melodic death metal ship for years to come.

NJ’s Dead City Crown delivered one of the ultimate performances with their profound technical excellence. Dead City Crown has the ability to make your eyes shift from one side to another being transfixed by the aggressive yet, super melodic vocals, only to shift in another direction to be spellbound by the ripping guitar solos. Consisting of tracks of their new EP Beasts of Fiction, Dead City Crown was able to demonstrate every epic element that makes their sound so unique. Even without a bassist that night, they managed to completely submerge the room in a realm of darkened riffs with tracks such as I Am A God, Expedition Crisis, The Used and more.

Iatt, hailing from Philadelphia, offered a fusion of melodic death metal and progressive music. As the sun set and the moon ascended, Iatt provided the perfect soundtrack to the ethereal darkness enveloping us. Their brilliant use of lights transformed the outdoor stage into an otherworldly realm. The synchronized swaying and strobing colors mesmerized the audience as headless guitars and bass delivered riffs, melodies, and intensity. The pinnacle of their set arrived with “Exculpate/Exonerate,” a track that elicited spine-tingling emotions, overwhelming us with goosebumps.

Oak Ash and Thorn from Denver, Colorado, shattered the notion that only Scandinavian countries produce intense music amidst beautiful snowy landscapes. Just like their Colorado peers such as In the Company of Serpents, Spectral Voice, and Primitive Man, Oak Ash and Thorn brought forth a unique blend of doom, atmosphere, and irresistible groove. Their track “Let the Hearthfires Burn” showcased the band’s technical prowess, delivering an intense groove complemented by diverse vocal styles, ranging from brutal aggression to melodic clean singing. With “Distant Mountains, Distant Gods,” they conjured something terrifying and epic, seamlessly transitioning between aggressive and clean vocals. Closing their set with the new track “Unchain the Wolf,” Oak Ash and Thorn left an indelible mark on the night.

The performance by The Hudson Horror held special significance, as it paid tribute to late vocalist Dan Kelly, a beloved figure within our scene. Stepping in to honor his memory was Jake Calonius , a talented vocalist from Letallis and guitarist of Ache. With integrity and strength, Jake led The Hudson Horror through their classic songs, capturing the essence of melodic death metal. From the opening notes of “What the Moon Brings” to the enthralling renditions of “Scarlet” and “Anathema,” The Hudson Horror not only honored the genre’s classic sound but also celebrated the spirit of a remarkable vocalist and brother within our scene.

Finally, the headlining act of the night belonged to Solemn Vision, local legends who are poised to become legends of the genre as a whole. While eagerly anticipating their forthcoming album, the band treated the audience to an unforgettable performance, showcasing their growth and potential. Opening with “Father from the Flame” and continuing with the explosive “Avarice,” Solemn Vision surprised and delighted us with mostly new material. Although fans yearned for classics from their previous album, the band’s ability to evolve and surprise us left us wanting more, eagerly anticipating their next show. When vocalist Aaron Harris announced the final song, “The Cerebral Labyrinth,” it was the perfect farewell to an incredible night.

Solemn Vision’s dedication, not only to their craft but also to the scene, was evident in their engaging performance. Their ability to captivate audiences could shape the future of melodic death metal in New York, akin to Metallica’s impact on thrash in San Francisco or Killswitch Engage’s influence on metalcore in Massachusetts. Solemn Vision has secured their place as stalwarts of the scene and the genre.

Photocredit: Reginald Smith