Not all during Comic Con 2018 was panels, demos and interviews. Yes, while far from being common, there are some concerts that happen in the midst of the madness. Sponsored by Court of the Dead and Stern Pinball, stalwart metal label Nuclear Blast had their own official after party at the House of Blues San Diego. Headlined by the venerable Testament we had just enough time to see the opening set by newcomers Carnifex.

Not for the faint of heart, this was pure, blasting death metal: precision technicality and blinding fury. The band had a nonstop series of alternating strobe lights and bright color backlights, while the two neon pentagrams that flanked them would occasionally blink solid green. The band played a fully brutal number entitled “Hello Chose Me” which inspired the crowd to a full-on circle pit. Later “Dark Days” aimed the set for even more manacing territory. Noting that this show was special for them (it being both their hometown and as a special Comic Con event) the band’s lead singer Cory Alford indicated they would do something they normally would not. They would end with a cover, notably a pummeling rendition of Slayer’s “Angel of Death.”

All photos by Raymond Flotat