In December 2024, it was announced that Chaos & Carnage would return in 2025 for a sixth edition. What makes this edition phenomenal is the stellar lineup, which includes Dying Fetus and Cradle of Filth, who are co-headliners, and special guests, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Ne Obliviscaris, Undeath, Vomit Forth, and Corpse Pile.
On May 4, 2025, the tour descended upon Worcester, MA, at The Palladium. In addition to the current lineup of Chaos & Carnage 2025, five bands based in New England joined the show, which include The Kulling, Morduus, Okami, Soft Touch Mechanism, and The Last King. They performed at the Palladium Upstairs, while the main lineup performed in the bigger Palladium showroom.
While this review will mainly focus on the standard Chaos & Carnage 2025 lineup, below is a brief description of the five New England-based bands that performed at the Palladium Upstairs.
The Kulling: Formed in 2020 and based in Worcester, MA. They released their debut EP, Existence Is Futile, in 2022. Genre: Groove Metal.
Morduus: Formed in 2017 and based in Bangor, ME. In 2023, they released their debut full-length album, Grotesque Reality, and most recently released a new single titled, Pray to Your Gods. Genre: Deathcore.
Okami: Formed in 2018 and based in Providence, RI. They released their debut EP, The Bitter Root, in 2020. Genre: Metalcore.
Soft Touch Mechanism: Formed in 2018 and based in Boston, MA. In 2021, they released their debut EP, A Little Crooked House. Genre: Alternative.
The Last King: Formed in 2014 and based in New Hampshire. They released their latest full-length album, Culling from Gods, in 2024. Genre: Melodic Death Metal/Deathcore.
Corpse Pile
Based in Houston, TX, Corpse Pile was the first opening band. In July 2023, they signed with Maggot Stomp and released their “Hardgore Deathmetal” EP the following year. To start things off, Corpse Pile brought the aggression and brutality to the forefront. Regarding genre, Corpse Pile would be considered a Brutal Death Metal band, with Hardcore roots.
Some of the tracks performed include “Stacking Bodies“, “Genesis Of Suffering“, “For Flesh and All“, and “Kicked in Cadaver“. They also performed their recently released track, “Fed To The Starved“. The songs are catchy, short in length, and gut-punching. Their set was a nice gateway to the next opening band, Vomit Forth.
Vomit Forth
Based in New England, Connecticut, to be exact, Vomit Forth was the next opening band to perform. Vomit Forth’s vocalist, Kane Gelaznik, has a special connection to Massachusetts because he grew up in Pittsfield, MA. The band has a similar connection to Corpse Pile because their roots are hardcore, but the overall musical output is Brutal Death Metal, with a groovier edge. Last year, in 2024, Vomit Forth released their second full-length album, “Terrified of God“, via Century Media Records. Most of their set consisted of songs such as “Blood Soaked Death Dream“, “Rotting Wool“, “Negative Penance“, “Victim Impact Statement“, and “Sacred Apple“.
To end it all, Vomit Forth performed one of their catchiest, riff-filled songs, “Pain Tolerance“. The crowd was ecstatic, the crowd surfing was tremendous, and the slow and crushing breakdowns that soon followed were heavy. The audience was ready for more death, Undeath to be exact.
Undeath
Hailing from Rochester, NY, Undeath was ready to take over the stage next. Let’s roll out more zombies, horror, and the grave. The band Undeath has a style that one would categorize as old-school and traditional, but with faster tempos. The drumming style is punchier and dynamic. In 2020, the band made waves releasing their debut full-length album, “Lesions of a Different Kind“. Two years later, “It’s Time…to Rise from the Grave” was released, and just last year we welcomed the newest full-length album, “More Insane“.
Some notable tracks that were performed include “The Funeral Within“, “Rise From the Grave“, “Lesions of a Different Kind“, and “Dead From Beyond“. More melody and speed are underway, now with the return of Ne Obliviscaris.
Ne Obliviscaris
Ne Obliviscaris is an Extreme Progressive Metal band based in Australia with six members. It was announced in January 2025 that their prior vocalist, Marc “Xenoyr” Campbell, had departed the band, and James Dorton would be the new vocalist. James has been touring with the band as a vocalist since 2023. What makes Ne Obliviscaris interesting is the combination of dual clean and harsh vocals from James Dorton and Tim Charles. The addition of the violin builds into a unique set of emotions, which also lends to the progressive and classical elements of the band.
Most of the tracks performed were from their latest full-length album “Exul“, which was released in 2023 via Season Of Mist Records and includes “Equus” and “Suspyre“. Overall, the crowd was left in awe and admiration for the musicianship and instrumentation.
Fleshgod Apocalypse
Fleshgod Apocalypse is an Italian Symphonic Metal band that incorporates and brings death metal and opera-inspired vocals to the forefront. Unique is not an understatement to describe them, but they were a perfect band to perform after Ne Obliviscaris. In 2024, a longstanding member and founding bassist, Paolo Rossi, left the band, and they released their sixth full-length album, “Opera“.
Some tracks that they performed that were very memorable include “I Can Never Die“, “Bloodclock“, “The Fool“, and “Minotaur (The Wrath of Poseidon)“. The band ended their set with a cover of the Eiffel 65 track “Blue (Da Ba Dee)“, a beautiful rendition including Veronica Bordacchini’s angelic and operatic vocals.
Cradle Of Filth
The English Symphonic/Gothic Metal band Cradle of Filth is the first headliner to perform. With over thirty years of existence, Cradle of Filth has defined and evolved their sound from the traditional elements of Black Metal, adding a touch of gothic, dark, and theatrical themes. Currently, the band features six members, the newest being Zoe Marie Federoff, whose role includes vocals and keyboards.
The energy was chaotic, dark, and chilling from the start of their set. The imagery portrayed by each member was very striking and serious, and one couldn’t help but think this band means business, but it was done in a very charismatic and playful manner. In March 2025, they released their sixteenth full-length album, “The Screaming Of The Valkyries“, via Napalm Records.
Some of their best hits performed include “Her Ghost in the Fog“, “The Principle of Evil Made Flesh“, and “Death Magick for Adepts“. They also performed “To Live Deliciously” from their latest full-length album. Cradle of Filth’s performance was entertaining from start to finish and a stark reminder of why they have stood the test of time as an Extreme Metal band.
Dying Fetus
Dying Fetus is a Brutal Death Metal band that is not a stranger to chaos and is always willing to give their all regarding brutality, aggression, and technicality. Here comes the carnage! Chaos & Carnage is Dying Fetus! Dying Fetus has existed for over thirty years and defined and contributed to the standards of the Brutal Death Metal genre.
An extensive discography to date, with nine full-length albums, the band starts their set with the track “Praise the Lord (Opium of the Masses)“, a nice segway to ease the crowd into the unrelenting intensity of “Unbridled Fury“. One track after another, we hear John Gallagher’s brutal and guttural vocals taking turns with bassist Sean Beasley. One can’t forget the pummeling blast beats brought on by Trey Williams.
Other top tracks performed were “One Shot, One Kill“, “Grotesque Impalement“, “In The Trenches“, “Subjected to a Beating“, “Killing on Adrenaline“, and to end “Kill Your Mother, Rape Your Dog“. Nonstop headbanging, nonstop moshing, nonstop crowdsurfing. Unsurprisingly and rightfully so, Dying Fetus was brought back to headline Chaos & Carnage. In the end, the band brought the wrath, destruction, and savagery, reigning supreme with the undisputed title of bestial prowess.
