Klash Of The Titans: History, Toronto, October 3, 2024

The Show

The eagerly anticipated Clash of the Titans tour stormed into Toronto on Thursday, October 3, 2024, at the History concert venue. The lineup - Testament, Kreator, and Possessed needs no introduction for metal fans. With nearly 40 years in the thrash metal scene, these bands have earned legendary status, and the night promised a celebration of music that helped shape the genre. The venue's capacity is around 2,500, and I'd estimate the crowd at 1,500-2,000, a solid turnout for a Thursday night. The audience spanned multiple generations, a testament to the timelessness of thrash metal. Each band continues to resonate with new fans while maintaining their original followers, a rare feat. Personally, I appreciated the setup at History; there's ample room on the floor, which allows fans like me (a seasoned metalhead now in my 50s) to enjoy the energy without getting caught in the mosh pits.

Possessed

You know the night's lineup is exceptional when Possessed, a pioneering band often credited with creating the first death metal album, opens the show. As I mingled with other fans before the show, I was surprised at how many were seeing Possessed live for the first time and were most excited to catch them over the other acts. Given Possessed's lighter touring schedule compared to Testament and Kreator, it makes sense that this was a rare and highly anticipated experience for many fans. My previous encounters with them were mostly at international festivals, so having them kick off this local show was a treat.

The stage setup was simple but effective. A huge banner with Possessed's iconic red logo hung at the back, flanked by two side banners featuring the same design. When the band took the stage and launched into 'The Pentagon' from Seven Churches, the crowd erupted. A mosh pit formed instantly, while the rest of us who opted out of the pit joined in with full-throttle headbanging. Jeff Becerra's vocals were as powerful and raw as ever. Despite being wheelchair-bound, he commanded the stage with an energy and presence that electrified the crowd. It's clear he loves performing and connecting with fans; he maneuvered across the front of the stage throughout the set, engaging with everyone in the crowd.

Possessed did an excellent job of mixing the setlist, offering tracks from across their catalog. 'Ritual' from their latest album, Revelations of Oblivion, followed, and it was a crowd-pleaser. A fan beside me, who mentioned earlier that he'd never seen Possessed, gave me a high-five and declared it one of the best shows he'd ever seen. I couldn't argue with that. Possessed continued to unleash killer thrash/death tracks like 'Tribulation,' 'Graven,' and 'The Exorcist,' a classic that drew one of the loudest responses of the night. The reception was especially strong for the Seven Churches material. With so many bands touring early albums again, I'd love to see Possessed hit the road with Seven Churches in its entirety, a historic album that deserves to be in the spotlight.

'Demon' came up next, but the highlight was undeniably 'Death Metal,' which brought the mosh pit to a fever pitch and elevated crowd energy to new heights. The band closed with another classic, 'Swing of the Axe' from The Eyes of Horror EP. Overall, Possessed delivered a stellar set that perfectly set the tone for the night. It's impressive to see bands that have been around for nearly 40 years still releasing strong new material, drawing large crowds, and performing with the vigor of musicians half their age. After their set, Jeff stayed around to meet fans, take photos, and chat, adding a personal touch that fans truly appreciated.

Kreator

Kreator's stage design was nothing short of stunning, rivaling the elaborate setups you'd expect from a band like Iron Maiden. Massive inflatable demons loomed over the stage, staring out into the crowd, and a large 'Violent Mind' mascot head hung ominously over Ventor's drum kit. The inflatables were impressively crafted, looking like they were carved from solid stone and giving the set a dark, imposing feel. Kreator could easily have headlined this tour, and the venue was packed for their set. A large curtain dropped, revealing the stage, and Kreator launched into 'Hate Über Alles' from their latest album, setting off a fresh wave of moshing and cheers.

'Phobia' made a surprise appearance early in the set. Although it comes from a less popular 90s era, it worked live and drew a strong response. 'Coma of Souls' delighted old-school fans like myself, taking us back to Kreator's thrash-heavy roots. Kreator leaned heavily on their modern work, with songs like 'Satan is Real,' 'Strongest of the Strong,' 'Phantom Antichrist,' and '666 - World Defined.' It was evident from the audience's reaction that many appreciated the later melodic approach.

Mille Petrozza is a frontman who knows how to work a crowd, encouraging mosh pits and orchestrating "walls of death" that sent energy rippling through the venue. His standard call-and-response between "the people of the left" and "the people on the right" is a fun, if familiar, staple of their shows. Toward the end of the set, Kreator showed love to older fans by diving into classics like 'Terrible Certainty,' 'Violent Revolution,' and their set-closer 'Pleasure to Kill.' The closing moments were especially thrilling for me; as someone who first discovered Kreator with Pleasure to Kill, I still get chills hearing it live.

Though I missed 'Flag of Hate,' which used to be a live staple, I was happy with the addition of 'Terrible Certainty' instead. It's impossible to fit everything into one set when you have 15 albums, but Kreator did an impressive job representing their career. Longtime drummer Ventor was visually exciting and precise with every beat, and newer members Frederic Leclercq and Sami Yli-Sirnio brought an extra level of energy, moving actively on stage and complementing Mille's relentless presence. Kreator thanked the crowd for supporting metal over the years before leaving the stage, and I was grateful I'd been pacing myself - two intense sets down, with Testament still to go.

Testament

Testament's stage was simple in comparison, with a few banners and Chris Dovas's drum kit centered on a riser. This setup fit their approach, as the focus was all on the music. This tour celebrated The Legacy and The New Order, with the setlist consisting entirely of songs from those first two albums, a dream come true for longtime fans like me. They opened with 'Eerie Inhabitants,' sparking yet another mosh pit, and Chuck Billy's vocals were as powerful as they were when these albums first released in 1987 and 1988. Alex Skolnick's solos stole the spotlight, and he frequently stepped onto the front monitors, captivating the crowd with his skill and charisma.

With back-to-back classics like 'The New Order,' 'Apocalyptic City,' 'Raging Waters,' and 'The Preacher,' the set was packed with hits. Every track was a nostalgic rush, and I found myself unable to break away even for a beer or a bathroom break. New drummer Chris Dovas fit right in, playing with precision and energy, while the core trio of Eric Peterson, Chuck, and Alex appeared to still enjoy playing together. Bassist Steve Di Giorgio, though not on the original albums, handled the classic material effortlessly.

The lighting was particularly well done, with vibrant reds, blues, and yellows that enhanced each track and spotlighted the band members at key moments. Chuck surprised the Toronto crowd by stepping into the press pit to sing directly in front of fans, fist-pumping and high-fiving as he went, a first for me after many Testament shows. The crowd showed no signs of slowing down for the final songs, 'First Strike is Deadly,' 'A Day of Reckoning,' and 'Alone in the Dark,' and the set climaxed with fan-favorites 'Disciples of the Watch,' 'Over the Wall,' and the mosh-pit anthem 'Into the Pit.'

For me, one of the night's highlights was seeing Eric Peterson switch guitars during the final song. I had opted for the stage-played guitar package, which allowed me to take home a signed guitar used during the set - a personal thrill. Testament's set ended on a high, and although I loved the focus on their early albums, I'm ready for them to reintroduce more tracks from their other eleven albums in future tours.

The post-show meet-and-greet, part of the guitar package, was an unforgettable experience. Spending around 45 minutes in a private lounge with Testament was worth every penny. I got to chat with each member, take photos, have my guitar and vinyl covers signed, and even share a beer with the band. Chuck Billy and his wife Tiffany, who organized the meet-and-greet, were incredibly welcoming, ensuring I left with memories to cherish. For die-hard fans, this package is a must, an incredible experience that capped off an unforgettable night of thrash.

Conclusion

Overall, the Clash of the Titans tour delivered an unforgettable night for metal fans in Toronto. Each band brought its own unique energy and intensity, proving that after nearly four decades, they still have what it takes to captivate and unite generations of fans. Possessed set the stage with raw, unfiltered aggression, Kreator kept the momentum with their visually striking and sonically powerful set, and Testament capped the night with a nostalgia-filled performance that paid tribute to their roots. From crushing mosh pits to moments of connection with the bands, it was a true celebration of thrash metal's enduring legacy. For long-time fans and newcomers alike, this tour exemplified why these bands remain iconic pillars of the genre.

Billy K, HMS

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