Hatebreed Leads The Breakdown Brigade As They March The Summer Slaughter To Starland Ballroom
The Summer of Slaughter 2025 tour turned Starland Ballroom into a battleground of sweat, riffs, and raw aggression as five punishing acts laid the groundwork for an explosive night headlined by the legendary Hatebreed. Adding to the brutality are supporting acts like Gridiron, Incite, Sworn Enemy, Snuffed on Sight and Fugitive. Setting the stage and the night up for an explosive musical assault.
Incite delivered a punishing and high-octane set to kick off the night with unmatched ferocity. Kicking things off with the confrontational anthem “Fuck With Me,” frontman Richie Cavalera roared across the stage, igniting the pit with his razor-edged vocals and confrontational presence. Drummer Derek Lopez hammered out blast beats and tribal grooves in equal measure, locking in tight with bassist Chris Elsten, whose growling low end added extra weight to the band’s sonic assault. “Up In Hell” followed with relentless pacing, Layne Richardson’s guitar riffs slicing through the mix like a buzzsaw as bodies collided in the pit and fists flew in unison.
The band kept the energy cranked with “Dead Beat” and “Mental Destruction,” two blistering tracks that showcased the seamless chemistry of the rhythm section and Cavalera’s feral delivery. “Lie” brought a menacing groove that had the crowd headbanging in unison, as Richardson unleashed a flurry of down-tuned, chug-heavy riffs with surgical precision. By the time they launched into their crushing closer “Built to Destroy,” the floor was a war zone of sweat and adrenaline. Incite proved once again why they’re a force to be reckoned with—blending metalcore, thrash, and groove into a performance that was both sonically violent and unapologetically real.
Sworn Enemy hit the stage with the raw force of a hardcore wrecking ball, bringing a wave of unfiltered aggression and New York attitude to the Summer of Slaughter tour. Singer Sal Locco came out swinging, his voice cutting through the noise like a siren as the band opened with “Prepare for Payback,” sending the pit into immediate upheaval. Bassist Mike Pucciarelli and drummer Taykwuan Jackson drove the set forward with thunderous rhythm and precision, especially on the relentless pulse of “Absorb the Lies,” which had fists flying and heads banging in unison. The self-titled anthem “Sworn Enemy” followed, with Locco pacing the stage and calling for crowd participation as the entire room echoed the chorus in defiant unison.
The band’s intensity never wavered as they launched into “All I Have” and the crushing “As Real As It Gets,” blending old-school hardcore grit with metallic thrash ferocity. Matt Garzilli’s chugging rhythm riffs laid the groundwork for Jeff Cummings’ blistering leads, the duo unleashing a sonic assault that kept the energy high and the floor in chaos. The set reached its final climax with “I.D.S.,” a furious closer that brought stage dives, circle pits, and gang vocals to a boiling point. Sworn Enemy reminded everyone why they’ve remained a staple of hardcore for over two decades—relentless, authentic, and still as dangerous as ever.
Snuffed On Sight unleashed pure sonic carnage during their set at Starland Ballroom, delivering one of the most brutal and unhinged performances of the night. Frontman Seven Kane stalked the stage with feral intensity, unleashing guttural growls and barked commands that stirred the crowd into a frenzy. The set opened with “On Ya Neck,” and within seconds, the floor erupted into chaotic violence. Spencer Metala’s bass thundered beneath every breakdown, locking in with Kendrick DiStefano’s crushing drumwork to create an earth-shaking foundation. “Blunt Cough” and “All Talk” followed in rapid succession, each track laced with suffocating grooves and sudden tempo shifts that kept the pit completely unhinged.
Guitarists Walid Gad and Matt Garzilli brought a savage dual attack, alternating between bone-splintering riffs and dissonant chugs that gave “Smoke” and “Time 2 Dip” their unrelenting edge. Kane’s vocal delivery during “Sippin” was pure venom, snarling with the kind of hostility that made every word feel like a threat. The band closed with the chaotic anthem “GFD,” turning the venue into a battleground of flailing limbs, stagedives, and pure beatdown fury. Snuffed On Sight didn’t just play—they detonated. Their blend of modern slam, beatdown hardcore, and grind left a crater in the center of Starland Ballroom and confirmed their rising reputation as one of the most dangerous live bands in the underground scene.
Gridiron tore into their set like a sledgehammer through concrete, delivering a hard-hitting and unapologetic performances. Opening with the neck-snapping anthem “25/8,” frontman Matthew Karll wasted no time getting in the crowd’s face, his snarling delivery dripping with attitude and grit. Backed by the crushing rhythm section of bassist Lennon Livesay and drummer Tyler Mullen, the band laid down a foundation of pure East Coast hardcore with a metallic edge. Mullen’s precise yet punishing drumming drove the chaos from the back of the stage while Livesay’s bass rumbled like a freight train, especially during the chug-heavy “26/9,” which sent the pit into a frenzy of elbows and boots.
As the band moved into “Trench” and “Talk Real,” the energy in the room only intensified. Guitarist Walid Gad provided razor-sharp riffs and backup vocals that added even more weight to the band’s wall of sound. His dynamic playing shined on “Tombstone,” blending bounce-heavy grooves with razorblade precision. Karll prowled the stage like a man possessed, delivering each line with venom while goading the crowd into even more violence. “Army of None” was a highlight of the set, its knuckle-dragging stomp and snarled hooks inspiring one of the largest circle pits of the night. The synergy between Gad’s riffs and Mullen’s drumming created a relentless momentum that never let up, pushing the crowd into a controlled riot.
Closing with the crushing one-two punch of “No Good At Goodbyes” and the anthemic “Mascot,” Gridiron proved themselves as a standout act among a stacked lineup. The breakdowns hit like cinder blocks and the band’s streetwise swagger translated perfectly into a live setting, bridging the gap between classic hardcore and modern beatdown. Karll’s final scream rang out as fans clawed their way to the barricade, fists raised and voices hoarse, leaving no doubt that Gridiron had not just performed—they had made a statement. Starland Ballroom shook with approval, and anyone in the building knew they had just witnessed one of the future kings of metallic hardcore.
Fugitive brought a fiery and relentless performance to the packed venue, injecting the Summer Slaughter tour with a lethal dose of crossover aggression and thrash-fueled chaos. Opening with the blistering “The Javelin,” frontman Seth Gilmore exploded onto the stage with snarling intensity, his sharp vocal delivery cutting clean through the dense wall of sound. Bassist Andy Messer provided a bone-rattling low end that thundered beneath the twin guitar assault of Blake Ibanez and Victor Gutierrez. From the first riff, the crowd surged forward, responding to every tempo shift and furious breakdown with sheer, unfiltered energy.
The band kept their momentum high with “Neutralized” and “Blast Furnace,” both tracks showcasing their ability to blend pit-ready hardcore grooves with razor-sharp thrash riffing. Ibanez and Gutierrez traded leads and down-picked riffs with surgical precision, summoning a storm of headbanging and stage dives as Lincoln Mullens’ drumming kept the chaos tightly in check. His relentless double-kick work and machine-gun snare blasts propelled “Spheres of Virulence” into a full-speed assault, drawing out a massive circle pit that engulfed the floor. Gilmore’s commanding presence never wavered, stalking the edge of the stage, locking eyes with fans, and throwing down lyrics with visceral conviction.
As their set neared its close, Fugitive launched into the thunderous “Stand Off,” unleashing crushing mid-tempo riffs and guttural screams that had the room shaking. They wrapped up with the fan-favorite “Hell’s Half Acre,” a violent, riff-heavy finale that turned the pit into a battlefield. The entire band fired on all cylinders—Ibanez and Gutierrez’s dual guitar work was blistering, Messer’s basslines hit like a freight train, and Mullens laid down the kind of drumwork that kept adrenaline surging to the very last note. Fugitive walked off stage leaving Starland Ballroom scorched and reeling, solidifying their place as one of the most vital and dangerous live bands on the tour.
Hatebreed’s headlining performance was nothing short of a masterclass in unapologetic aggression, unity, and endurance. From the moment the lights dimmed and the first rumble of the intro rang out, the sold-out crowd surged toward the barricade with anticipation. Frontman Jamey Jasta stormed the stage like a general entering battle, his presence commanding and his voice immediately igniting the crowd with the opening lines of “To The Threshold.” The floor exploded into movement, as a maelstrom of bodies slammed and spun with reckless abandon, setting the tone for what would be a relentless and unforgettable set.
Guitarist Frank Novinec and fill-in guitarist Matt Bachand (of Shadows Fall, stepping in for Wayne Lozinak) delivered a devastating dual-guitar attack that was as precise as it was punishing. Their riffs on “Before Dishonor” and “Not One Truth” hit like sledgehammers, blending speed, groove, and crushing heaviness in a way only Hatebreed can. Bassist Carl Schwartz (also of First Blood) held down the low end with iron resolve, his tone thick and rumbling beneath the mix, adding weight and presence to every breakdown. Drummer Matt Byrne was a machine behind the kit, anchoring every tempo change with tight, blistering patterns, particularly on “Tear It Down,” where his rapid-fire snare work fueled another massive circle pit that engulfed the venue.
Jasta remained the ever-charismatic leader throughout the night, constantly engaging the audience, throwing out shouts of encouragement, and rallying chants between songs. “This one’s for anyone who’s been through hell and kept fighting,” he declared before launching into the punishing “Perseverance.” The crowd responded with raised fists and a sea of voices echoing back every lyric. The anthemic energy only escalated with “I Will Be Heard,” one of the night’s most explosive moments. Fans screamed the chorus as though their lives depended on it, creating a unifying roar that filled the room and shook the walls. Every word was a battle cry, and the entire crowd felt like part of something far bigger than a show.
Digging deep into their early catalog, the band pulled out the blistering “A Call for Blood” and the unrelenting “Empty Promises.” These songs were raw, primal, and delivered with the same intensity as when they were first written over two decades ago. Matt Bachand handled the guitar work flawlessly, injecting new life into these classics while still honoring Lozinak’s signature tone and style. Schwartz’s bass locked in tightly with Byrne’s precise drumming, allowing Jasta to let loose vocally with a ferocity that hasn’t diminished in the slightest. The aggression was palpable and cathartic, each note ripping through the crowd with precision.
As the set pushed forward, the band gave no signs of slowing. “Hollow Ground” and “Last Breath” were delivered with furious precision, the latter prompting a massive wall of death that split the crowd down the middle before slamming together in a sea of chaos. Jasta’s ability to control the room was unmatched—one minute invoking primal rage, the next invoking a sense of empowerment and resilience. When “Diehard as They Come” began, the crowd erupted into a chant, solidifying the show’s message of loyalty, pride, and survival through hardship.
One of the most punishing moments came with “Proven,” its stomping groove and defiant lyrics sparking one of the evening’s most intense pits. Jasta’s declaration of “You are your own worst enemy!” rang like a challenge, pushing the audience deeper into the moment. The crowd barely had time to recover before the opening riff of “Destroy Everything” hit, prompting a total eruption. Fans screamed every word in unison, bodies flying over barricades as security scrambled to keep up. The breakdown alone was seismic, with Novinec and Bachand unleashing riff after riff like a rhythmic assault of pure destruction.
Just when it seemed the intensity had peaked, Hatebreed launched into “Doomsayer,” a deeper cut that showed the band’s ability to mix chaos with tightly crafted songwriting. The precision of Byrne’s drumming, the groove of Schwartz’s bass, and the razor-sharp guitar work elevated the track into a standout moment. The energy remained at full tilt, carrying straight into the evening’s final track, the iconic “Live for This.” Jasta led the crowd in a massive singalong, screaming “If you don’t live for something, you’ll die for nothing!” as the entire ballroom shouted it back with passion and conviction.
By the time the last notes rang out and the band took their bows, Starland Ballroom was a sweat-soaked battlefield of exhausted smiles and sore bodies. Hatebreed had not only met expectations—they had obliterated them. With a setlist spanning their entire career and a performance that blended razor-sharp musicianship with raw emotion and crowd connection, they once again proved why they remain the gold standard in hardcore and metal. It wasn’t just a concert—it was a movement. One built on perseverance, loyalty, and strength through unity.
