Vancouver, BC – Wednesday Night at the Rickshaw Theatre
Midweek shows don’t always promise chaos—but this one delivered. The Rickshaw was packed with metalheads ready to rage, and with a lineup like Summoning the Lich, Skeletal Remains, Allegaeon, and Warbringer, how could it not? Each band brought their own flavor of destruction to the stage, and what unfolded was a relentless night of speed, savagery, and smiles.
Summoning the Lich
Opening the night with a jolt of manic energy, Summoning the Lich made it clear from the jump: things were about to get weird—in the best way. Their vocalist hit the stage decked out in short shorts and a fanny pack, immediately earning style points for chaotic wizard-core fashion. Between the shredding riffs and guttural growls, the band leaned into their theatrical flair, conjuring a storm of fantasy-fueled death metal that pulled the early crowd right into their twisted realm. Their set was as wild as their wardrobe, and by the time they wrapped, the pit was already alive.
Skeletal Remains
Then came Skeletal Remains, and they did not come to mess around. From the second they stepped on stage, the energy shifted. There’s something undeniably commanding about this band—raw, old-school death metal delivered with precision and presence. The crowd responded immediately: fists up, heads banging, pits swirling.
One standout was the drummer Ruston Grosse, who was an absolute beast behind the kit. Not just in technical performance (which was stellar), but in sheer personality. Between ferocious blast beats and furious fills, he constantly engaged the crowd and photographers, pulling faces, grinning like a madman, and turning the back of the stage into a spotlight all its own. He was a total joy to photograph—honestly, someone should let him run a clinic on how to steal the show from behind the kit while still keeping the beat like a machine.
Big fan already, but this performance sealed it even further. Their whole set was tight, aggressive, and fun—Skeletal Remains brought the hammer down early, and hard.
Allegaeon
Allegaeon followed, and if anyone thought the night might dip in intensity, they were quickly proven wrong. These guys came in swinging. Technically jaw-dropping but always grounded in groove and melody, Allegaeon’s set was an explosion of sound and synergy. This was my second time covering them (last time was on Decapitated’s 2024 run), and they somehow managed to hit even harder this time around.
Brandon Michael deserves special mention here—his bass playing was absolutely killer. Not only did his tone thunder through the venue like a second heartbeat, but his technical skill and tight pocket work elevated every song. Offstage, he’s just as impressive—a genuinely kind and approachable guy who took time to connect with fans before AND after the set.
Vocalists Ezra Haynes and Michael Stancel blended their vocal styles beautifully—powerful and clean, raw and refined—while guitarist Greg Burgess unleashed a flurry of jaw-dropping solos that soared above the pit. The chemistry between all three was undeniable, making Allegaeon’s set feel as dynamic as it was crushing.
After their set, the band could be found at the merch table, signing shirts, answering questions, and sharing laughs with the crowd. Their down-to-earth attitude and accessibility gave the night a real sense of camaraderie—like catching up with old friends who just happen to shred on stage.
Warbringer
Warbringer closed the night with a thrash-fueled assault that transformed the Rickshaw into a warzone. From the moment they launched into their set, it was full speed ahead—no pauses, no mercy, just pure, pit-summoning adrenaline.
Roughly two-thirds through the set, frontman John Kevill emerged mid-song wielding a sword, holding it high like a general rallying his troops. The crowd exploded. It wasn’t just a gimmick—it was a statement: Warbringer was here to lay waste. And that’s exactly what they did. Riffs flew like shrapnel, the double-kick thundered like cannon fire, and the crowd met them head-on with every ounce of energy left.
Despite the carnage, John kept the atmosphere light-hearted and fun, grinning through breakdowns and throwing horns with infectious joy. After the final encore, as the crowd spilled out into the Vancouver night, a small group was lucky enough to catch John by the tour bus—sword still in hand. Ever the showman, he posed for photos with fans outside, letting a few hold the blade and share a moment that blended metal mayhem with genuine friendliness.
Final Thoughts
For a Wednesday night, this show hit like a Saturday. Each band brought something different to the table—Summoning the Lich’s theatrical madness, Skeletal Remains’ charismatic pummeling, Allegaeon’s masterful interplay and musical precision, and Warbringer’s thrash-warfare energy. It wasn’t just loud and heavy—it was fun. It was community. It was everything you want from a metal show, whether you were in the pit, behind the lens, or just soaking it all in from the back.
Vancouver showed up, showed out, and left with sore necks and full hearts. Mission accomplished.
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