The Park Theatre was brimming with anticipation on September 18, 2024, as Winnipeg welcomed an explosive lineup featuring Nekrogoblikon, Enterprise Earth, Dead Icarus, and local openers Perlocution. The night was a wild ride through metal, deathcore, and theatrical chaos, with each band bringing their own unique energy to a packed crowd.
Perlocution. Photos by Samuel Stevens Photography
Kicking off the night, the Winnipeg technical death metal band Perlocution made a strong impression as the sole Winnipeg representatives on the bill. Their set was a ferocious blend of technical metalcore and death metal influences, setting an intense tone for the night. Although the band is relatively new to the scene, their precision and stage presence hinted at seasoned potential. Blistering guitar solos, earth-shaking breakdowns, and guttural vocals had the early crowd already moshing with enthusiasm. The response was overwhelmingly positive, marking Perlocution as a band to keep an eye on in Winnipeg’s always-growing metal scene.
Dead Icarus. Photos by Samuel Stevens Photography
Next up was Dead Icarus, the latest project from ex-Atreyu frontman Alex Varkatzas, and they didn’t disappoint. Their set began with “The Uncontrollable,” immediately unleashing an aggressive metalcore assault on the audience. The energy never faltered as they moved through tracks like “Bearing Burdens and Saving Skin” and “The Vultures Circle,” with Varkatzas’ charismatic stage presence shining through. The highlight of their set was “So I Set Myself On Fire,” a song that sent the mosh pit into an absolute overdrive. They closed their set with the track, “Sellout,” a crowd-pleaser that saw fans screaming along in full force, solidifying Dead Icarus as a rising force in the scene. Another impressive feat of their set was how Varkatzas and the band had control of the crowd at the tips of their fingers and had them doing anything they wanted after stating on stage that it was just their sixth or seventh show ever together.
Enterprise Earth. Photos by Samuel Stevens Photography
By the time the rising deathcore titans Enterprise Earth took the stage, the crowd was primed for the chaos that was about to ensue. With their razor-sharp precision and crushing deathcore sound, the band delivered a set that was nothing short of brutal. Kicking things off with “Spineless,” vocalist Travis Worland’s guttural growls and piercing highs dominated the room. “King of Ruination” and “You Couldn’t Save Me” followed, with the band’s blend of relentless breakdowns and eerie, melodic atmospheres keeping the crowd locked in. The intensity peaked during “Reanimate // Disintegrate,” where the band’s technical prowess shone, leaving jaws dropped on the Park Theatre floor. Closing with the atmospheric yet devastating “Casket of Rust,” Enterprise Earth left the audience reeling from the sheer weight of their performance. The night’s headliners, Nekrogoblikon, brought not only music but an entire spectacle to Winnipeg -the band's first time to the city, mind you. Known for their blend of melodic death metal, humour, and goblin-themed theatrics, their set was pure entertainment from start to finish. Opening with the frenetic “Powercore,” the band immediately had the crowd bouncing along with the infectious energy of their signature sound. Frontman John Goblin’s on-stage antics and comedic interactions -mostly facts and jokes about Winnie the Pooh- had everyone grinning as they launched into fan favourites like “The Many Faces of Dr. Hubert Malbec” and “Golden Future.”
Nekrogoblikon. Photos by Samuel Stevens Photography
As the set progressed, the band brought out their more theatrical side, with songs like “We Need a Gimmick” and “Dressed as Goblins” blending metal with a tongue-in-cheek narrative about their quest for fame. The high point of the night came with “No One Survives,” which saw the crowd screaming every word alongside the band. The mosh pit reached a fever pitch, but the overall vibe remained fun and lighthearted, a testament to Nekrogoblikon’s ability to combine chaos with humour.
For the encore, the band returned to the stage with “The Magic Spider” and “This Is It,” closing the night on a high note of pure absurdity. It was a bizarre yet brilliant end to a night that showcased the weird and wonderful world that is Nekrogoblikon.
This show was a rollercoaster from start to finish, with each band leaving their unique mark on the night. From Perlocution’s intense opening to Dead Icarus’ fierce performance, followed by Enterprise Earth’s unrelenting brutality, the stage was set perfectly for Nekrogoblikon to bring their theatrical brand of metal mayhem to life. The crowd left buzzing, knowing they had witnessed a one-of-a-kind experience that only a lineup like this could deliver.
In the end, the night was a celebration of the diverse styles and personalities within the metal scene, with Winnipeg once again proving it has one of the most passionate and vibrant audiences around.