14 December 2025 – The Triffid, Brisbane – words by Alessandro Ambrosi – pictures by Marty Schmidt
It’s Sunday night, it’s muggy and my back hurts but none of that matters now. After a 12 YEARS wait DYING FETUS are finally back down under!!! And Holy $%#% they DELIVERED!
Formed in 1991 in Maryland, the group quickly became a leading force in the death metal and grindcore scenes. Their music is characterized by complex guitar work, rapid-fire drumming, deep guttural vocals, and sudden rhythmic shifts that showcase both precision and aggression.
While the band’s name and sound are deliberately extreme, their lyrical themes often address political corruption, social injustice, and systemic violence, setting them apart from many peers in the genre.
Alongside them tonight (and as it has been for the whole world tour) is 200 STAB WOUNDS from Cleveland, Ohio. Known for their raw, ferocious sound and modern take on old-school brutality. Emerging in the late 2010s, the band quickly gained attention for blending classic death metal, grindcore, and hints of groove into a style that feels both nostalgic and fresh.
Last but not least are Aussie own ASHEN. A crushing four-piece death metal band hailing from Perth,WA. Formed in 2019, the band made an immediate impact with their debut EP Godless Oath (2021), released through Bitter Loss Records and earning praise from underground metal circles for its ferocious riffs and raw energy. 2 full lengths followed with “Leave the Flesh Behind” fresh out of release in 2025.
The Triffid is sold out (predictable given the last time DF were here). Predictably there is still a massive line for the merch, but the room is surely filling up quickly. After a conveniently (for me) position in the merch line and, a couple of cold ones, it’s time to head in for ASHEN.
Ashen – Triffid – photos by Marty Schmidt
Opening the set is ‘Devourer’ from their freshly released new full length LEAVE THE FLESH BEHIND a heavy martial old school dose of death metal reminiscing of the slower Cannibal Corpse style – a great introduction to what’s ahead!
‘Ancestral Gate’ comes next and delivers more of a Swedish death metal vibe compared to the previous one. You can hear the influences that shaped ASHEN’s sound, but these guys didn’t just copy and paste. They made it their own and it’s working extremely well. Joel’s vocals go between growls and screams with ease and same can be said for the other three members Grant on Bass, Ben on drums and Shannon on guitar with their changes of styles and approach.
‘Harbinger’, ‘Ritual’ and ‘Threshold’ from 2023’s RITUAL OF ASH keep the crowd going with the first signs of moshing and general appreciation. ‘Leave the Flesh Behind’ and ‘Godless Oath’ close the set. ASHEN really set up the mood for a death metal filled night. APPROVED!!!
A quick breath of fresh air and it’s already time for 200 STAB WOUNDS. The Triffid’s sweat and packed room transformed into a primal death metal arena. The Cleveland four-piece tore through a set that showcased their brutal yet precise style. Their sound, raw yet tight with every riff slicing through the air like a serrated blade. ‘Hands of Eternity’ from MANUAL MANIC PROCEDURES worked as an explosive opener that immediately ignited the crowd; guttural vocals and razor-sharp riffs had the crowd going from the start.
200 Stab Wounds – Triffid – photos by Marty Schmidt
‘Skim Milk’ and ‘Tow Rope Around the Throat’ from SLAVE TO THE SCALPEL drove the packed room into near delirium with their relentless tempo. Shout out to DYING FETUS from the band for having them on tour as this is their first (and I can guarantee you) not last time down under. ‘Drilling Your Head’ and ‘Gross Abuse’ deliver technical brilliance met with raw aggression; guitar harmonies and double-kick blast beats. Just before ‘Defiled Gestation’ we get a SHOEY from guitarist Raymond! CLASSIC!!!
‘Itty Bitty Pieces’ together with ‘Fatal Reality’ showcased the band’s knack for complex changes, yet with visceral impact. ‘She Was Already Dead’ served as a brutal closer that left the crowd spent, yet howling for more. Overall, 200 Stab Wounds balanced technical showmanship with a savage intensity that few modern death‑metal acts can match. 200 STABS OF APPROVAL!!!
A longer stage change gives me the time to breathe again and clench the thirst but those 30 minutes are soon over and the time for the headliners is here.
The Maryland three piece delivered a thunderous, high‑intensity set drawn from their blend of technical death metal and brutal grooves. The band opened with ‘Schematics’, immediately launching into ‘Unbridled Fury’ and ‘Subjected to a Beating’, establishing a relentless pace from the first note. From the first breakdown, the pit was a war zone—circle pits and crowd surfing kept going for the whole 60 minutes of performance.
Dying Fetus – Triffid – photos by Marty Schmidt
Highlights included heavy-hitters ‘From Womb to Waste’, ‘Into the Cesspool’, and ‘Grotesque Impalement’, delivering a visceral cross-section of their discography. John Gallagher’s signature guttural vocals were as punishing as ever, matched by Sean Beasley’s thunderous bass lines and Trey Williams’ precise double-kick barrage behind the kit. Each member was locked in tech-heavy execution, firing on all cylinders. This show was a long-awaited return.
DYING FETUS hadn’t toured Australia in over a decade. The energy and intensity of the performance more than justified the wait. Each track hit like a warhead, and the band’s stage command was undeniable. Brisbane witnessed a top-tier performance that celebrated the brutal technicality and raw power that has always characterised them. A masterclass in extreme metal, reaffirming their status as one of the genre’s most formidable live acts.
LONG LIVE THE DYING FETUS!
