Portland, Maine’s State Theatre became a battleground for some of the heaviest names in metal. Crypta, Umbra Vitae, Harm’s Way, and Carcass took on the responsibilities of setting the tone perfectly before legendary Hatebreed Took the stage in what I can only describe as face-melting chaos from start to finish (in the best way possible).

The evening opened with Crypta, the Brazilian death metal outfit. Their thrash-infused sound and tight musicianship quickly got heads banging. Lead vocalist Fernanda Lira was a force on stage, with songs like “From the Ashes” showing off her dynamic presence. The crowd, still warming up, responded well to their high-energy performance, which set the night’s unrelenting pace.

Umbra Vitae, followed with a heavy, and actually surprising set  was a moshers dream. In a welcome and rad surprise, they took the stage, and I realized they were fronted by Jacob Bannon (of Converge fame), who’s voice and stage presence felt right at home with their blend of deathcore and hardcore. Their haunting tones provided a sharp contrast to the intensity that followed with Harm’s Way.

By the time Harm’s Way took the stage, the circle pits were in full force. The Chicago band’s pummeling grooves and industrial-tinged hardcore were met with a wave of furious moshing, especially during tracks like “Mind Control.” Their set was tight and ruthless, leaving little room to breathe as they continued to stoke the fire of the evening.

The anticipation reached its peak with Carcass - legends in their own right. Their surgical death metal precision was undeniable, as they carved through classics like “Corporal Jigsore Quandary” and “Heartwork.” The sheer intensity of Bill Steer’s guitar and Jeff Walker’s snarling vocals commanded the room, delivering a performance that was both nostalgic and exhilarating. By this point, the State Theatre was a sea of bodies moving in unison, preparing for what everyone had come to see: Hatebreed.

Hatebreed exploded onto the stage with the kind of energy that can only come from a band with decades of hardcore under their belts. Jamey Jasta, ever the motivational figure, led the charge, whipping the crowd into a frenzy with every lyric. Songs like “Destroy Everything” and “Perseverance” hit hard, each riff heavier than the last. The crowd was unstoppable, fueling the band’s performance as bodies collided in the pit.

Hatebreed’s setlist was a career-spanning mix of fan favorites and deeper cuts, with highlights like “Live for This” and “Looking Down the Barrel of Today.” Chris Beattie’s basslines hit like a wrecking ball, while Wayne Lozinak’s blistering guitar work kept the momentum at a fever pitch. As always, Matt Byrne provided the perfect rhythmic backbone with his machine-like drumming, each beat pounding through the crowd like a call to arms.

The night reached its climax with the final two tracks of the setlist “Perseverance” and “Proven” with Umbra’s Sean Martin coming back out on stage and playing with Hatebreed. The venue damn near erupted, with nearly everyone headbanging along (myself included). Hatebreed’s presence felt like more than just a concert—it was a communal experience, an outlet for aggression, empowerment, and unity. The mass exodus from the venue as the night came to a close was a wave of sweat, bruises, and tired exhilaration as the consensus was a mutual one – Damn, that was a hell of a show.