Sepultura’s highly anticipated North American Farewell Tour, titled Celebrating Life Through Death, arrived in Toronto on October 9, 2024, at the Rebel concert venue. The lineup featured Death Metal legends Obituary and Hardcore pioneers Agnostic Front, both of whom, like Sepultura, have been trailblazers in their respective genres since the 1980s. This combination of thrash, death metal, and hardcore/crossover promised an intense night, and it certainly delivered. With a packed house, the evening was a powerful reminder of these bands’ legacy and their continued relevance. Notably, the crowd leaned younger than I expected for bands that have been around for over four decades, a testament to their lasting appeal.

THE VENUE

Rebel, with its dual identity as both a large concert venue and an upscale nightclub, can hold up to 2,500 people, making it one of Toronto’s top spots for larger metal events. Located along the waterfront, it offers stunning city skyline views from its outdoor patio but can be a bit out of the way for concertgoers. Despite this, Rebel is an excellent venue for live shows in my opinion. It never feels too crowded, even when packed, thanks to its spacious layout and large bar areas and huge bathrooms. The merch area is well-placed towards the back, allowing easy access, and the views of the stage are consistently good from all angles. While the lighting and sound quality are top-notch, my one critique is that I always wish the volume was cranked up just a little more, especially for a metal show. Overall, it’s a great place to experience live music.

AGNOSTIC FRONT: SETTING THE NIGHT ABLAZE

Having seen Agnostic Front multiple times over the years, I knew what to expect, and they did not disappoint. Roger Miret’s ability to connect with the audience and make a large venue feel intimate is a skill honed over decades. His stage presence ignited the mosh pit from the moment they kicked off with crowd favorites like ‘AF Stomp’ and ‘The Eliminator.’ The setlist spanned their extensive discography, ensuring both die-hard fans and newcomers got a taste of the band’s legacy. A memorable moment was when the guitarist ventured into the mosh pit, playing among the fans and bringing a level of closeness that many large venues lack. Hearing ‘Victim in Pain’ from their debut album was a personal highlight, as was their closing song, ‘Addiction,’ from the Warriors album. Their energy was contagious, and it was clear that even those unfamiliar with Agnostic Front before the show left as new fans. This is a band that has never lost its edge, and every performance is a testament to their passion and staying power in the Hardcore scene.

OBITUARY: A RELENTLESS ONSLAUGHT OF DEATH METAL

Obituary’s performance was nothing short of brutal and a masterclass in delivering a death metal concert. Despite the chaos back home in Tampa, where a major hurricane was making landfall, the band showed up and delivered one of the tightest sets I’ve ever seen. This was my 38th or 39th time seeing them live, and they remain just as powerful today as they were during their Slowly We Rot tour. They opened with the crushing instrumental ‘Redneck Stomp’, with Trevor Peres’ heavy riffs immediately setting the tone. John Tardy’s entrance during ‘Threatening Skies’ was met with roaring approval, his voice and legendary growl is still as powerful as it was decades ago.

The mosh pit for Obituary’s set was an unstoppable force, a swirling vortex of energy that never let up. Highlights of the night included ‘Deadly Intentions’ from their debut album, as well as a medley of ‘Chopped in Half’ and ‘Turned Inside Out’ from Cause Of Death, which sent the crowd into a frenzy. Their tribute to Celtic Frost with a cover of ‘Circle of the Tyrants’ was a perfect homage to one of their key influences, and Obituary’s version arguably surpassed the original.

Closing out with the seminal ‘Slowly We Rot,’ Obituary left nothing on the table. It was a setlist that perfectly balanced their old and new material, and they delivered it with the same intensity that has made them one of death metal’s most enduring acts. The fact that they powered through despite the hurricane situation back home only underscored their professionalism and dedication to their fans.

SEPULTURA: A FAREWELL TO AN ERA

As the headliners, Sepultura were the band most had been waiting for, and they did not disappoint. Though the current lineup is missing the Cavalera brothers, Andreas Kisser, Derek Green, and Paulo Jr. proved that they are more than capable of carrying the Sepultura name forward. Kisser’s stage presence remains unmatched amongst top thrash guitarists, and Green’s commanding vocals filled the room with excitment.

The set opened explosively with ‘Refuse/Resist,’ with the crowd immediately erupting into cheers. The stage setup was visually striking, with a giant Sepultura banner and stunning lighting that enhanced the performance. While many of the younger fans were there for the Chaos A.D. and Roots era material, I was eagerly awaiting the classics from Beneath the Remains, Morbid Visions, Schizophrenia and Arise.

The moment “Dead Embryonic Cells” began, it felt like a time warp back to the early ‘90s. One of the standout moments was ‘Kaiowas,’ where the stage was filled with guest musicians drumming in sync, creating a tribal, primal energy that reverberated throughout the venue. However, it was the old-school classics like ‘Troops Of Doom,’ ‘Arise,’ ‘Escape The Void,’ and ‘Inner Self’ that brought the greatest joy to the long-time fans in the audience, myself included. The most popular song of the night came in the encore – ‘Roots Bloody Roots’ with both older and newer fans singing every word with along with Derek.  Sepultura’s performance was a celebration of their 40-year legacy, and while I will always have a soft spot for the early Cavalera era lineup, this show was a fitting tribute to the band’s entire career.

CONCLUSION

Sepultura’s North American Farewell Tour at Rebel in Toronto was a night of reflection, celebration, and raw energy. With Obituary and Agnostic Front delivering unforgettable performances, the stage was set for Sepultura to deliver their final bow to the Toronto crowd. While the absence of Max and Igor Cavalera still lingers for some fans (myself included), the current incarnation of the band proved they are still a force to be reckoned with. The evening was a testament to the longevity of these legendary acts and their continued ability to inspire both old and new generations of fans. As Sepultura thanked the crowd for 40 years of support, there was a sense of finality in the air, but also a reminder that the music and memories will endure long after the last note fades. From a personal perspective,seeing Sepultura and Obituary together on this night, brought me back to memories of Montreal in 1990 where both toured together in support of their Beneath The Remains & Cause of Death albums, one of my all time favorite concerts (Sadus was on that bill as well).