Decibel Tour 2025 — A Night of Surprises, Rituals, and Raw Sound
Walking into the venue felt like entering a different world — a sea of black clothing, spiked battle vests, smeared corpse paint, and the unmistakable low buzz of anticipation. Four bands, each with wildly different approaches to live performance, brought their own version of intensity to the stage. Some won me over in ways I didn’t expect. Others... well, not so much.
New Skeletal Faces - From Casual Listener to Full Convert
I liked New Skeletal Faces going in, liked, not loved. That changed the moment they hit the stage. Their energy was undeniable, the kind that fills a room and forces you to pay attention. It wasn't just that they played tight, although they absolutely did, but the entire set felt purposeful and immersive. Vocals and instruments were dialed in, and for an opening band, the mix was shockingly good.
What really stood out was how much better they are live than on record. Seeing them perform added context and emotional weight to their music that I hadn’t felt before. It’s one thing to hear a band through headphones. It’s another to feel them. These guys made me a fan, a real one, and that doesn’t happen often with openers.
If more bands skipped the awkward stage banter and just delivered the way these guys did, the live scene would be better for it.
Imperial Triumphant - Somewhere Between Intriguing and Forgettable
This set was weird, not in a bad way, just... strange. The energy on stage was subdued, matching their abstract, jazzy black metal aesthetic. Their costumes were theatrical, and every so often they’d spike the crowd’s energy with a well-timed moment. But it never fully clicked.
Musically, they were solid, but the vocals were buried in the mix and the overall sound lacked the clarity that made New Skeletal Faces so engaging. That said, there was a guitar solo with a trombone slide that felt like it came out of nowhere and completely stole the moment. Easily the most memorable part of their performance.
I wouldn’t say they turned me into a fan, but I didn’t hate it either. I’d probably give them another shot just to see if they land better the second time around.
Mortiis - The Unexpected Highlight of the Night
I expected to zone out, since dungeon synth has never really clicked with me. But within minutes, I was pulled into what felt like a full-blown mythical journey. It was like being dropped into some ancient, dark fantasy world where sorcerers ruled the underworld and nothing made sense except the rhythm of the toms and the haunting atmosphere.
There wasn’t much in terms of instruments, just a keyboard, some floor toms, a cymbal — but somehow it was enough to fill the space with texture and tension. The visuals were mesmerizing, the atmosphere was thick, and the whole thing just worked.
I couldn’t believe how much I enjoyed it. Before the show, I could barely get through thirty seconds of any Mortiis track. After the show? I wanted more. It was surreal, dramatic, weirdly emotional, and absolutely unforgettable. Easily one of the most immersive live sets I’ve ever seen.
Mayhem - Big Production, Muddy Sound
And then came Mayhem.
Let’s get this out of the way: the crowd was into it. This was clearly the band most people came to see, and they knew how to command attention. Visually, their set was stunning; moody lighting, ritualistic energy, the whole black metal package. But the sound? Not great. Not even good.
Everything was muddy. The vocals were lost in the mix, and the whole thing sounded like it was coming through a blown-out speaker in a cave. I get that black metal often leans into rawness and grit, but this felt more like a missed opportunity than a stylistic choice; especially after the crystal-clear production of the earlier sets. It was jarring.
I’ve been listening to Mayhem for a while. I’m not a legacy fan, but I’ve spent enough time with their catalog to have some expectations. What I heard live didn’t line up with what I know from their albums. It felt like a band with massive resources and a legendary reputation just... phoning it in sonically. And maybe that’s sacrilege to say, but it’s how it felt in the moment.
Would I see them again? Honestly, probably not. I think I’ll stick to spinning their records. Maybe that’s enough.
Final Thoughts
This was a night of surprises. New Skeletal Faces proved they’re more than just a good band, they’re a great live band. Mortiis completely floored me with a set that was more like a ritual than a concert. Imperial Triumphant left me unsure, but intrigued. And Mayhem? They reminded me that reputation alone doesn’t make a show memorable, sound matters.
It’s nights like these that keep me coming back to live music. You never really know who’s going to surprise you.