On April 17, 2025, the UC Theatre in Berkeley, California, became the epicenter of extreme metal as it hosted the opening night of the Chaos & Carnage 2025 tour. This sixth edition of the annual tour brought together an unprecedented lineup, headlined by death metal stalwarts Dying Fetus and black metal legends Cradle of Filth, marking their first co-headlining venture. The evening also featured performances by Fleshgod Apocalypse, Ne Obliviscaris, Undeath, Vomit Forth, and Corpse Pile; each delivering sets that showcased the diverse subgenres within extreme metal.
The UC Theatre, known for its beautiful interior and amazing acoustics, provided an ideal setting for the tour’s commencement. Doors opened at 4:00 PM, and by 4:30 PM, the venue was filled with fans eager to witness a night of unrelenting metal. The general admission standing room, complemented by limited seating, allowed for an immersive experience, with mosh pits forming early and persisting throughout the night.
The evening began with Corpse Pile, whose raw energy set the tone for the night. Vomit Forth followed, delivering a set characterized by aggressive riffs and guttural vocals. We were even so lucky to catchy the guitarist’s guitar pick with their logo! Undeath continued the momentum, blending old-school death metal influences with modern brutality.
Ne Obliviscaris introduced a progressive element to the lineup, their intricate compositions and violin interludes offering a dynamic contrast. The dynamic of metal instrumentals, a screamo vocalist and a heavenly violinist and vocalist was quite the unique blend of genres and sound and made for such an amazing unique experience. Fleshgod Apocalypse’s symphonic death metal brought a grandiose atmosphere, with orchestral arrangements and a female opera singer that added depth to their relentless performance. They ended their set with their take on Eiffel 65’s “Blue(Da Ba Dee)”, which in my opinion may be better the version.
Cradle of Filth took the stage with their signature gothic aesthetic, delivering a performance that combined theatricality with musical precision. His eagle like screeches soared through the venue and with every one the crowd grew more and more wild and chaotic. Their setlist spanned their extensive discography, including fan favorites and deep cuts that showcased their evolution over the years. Dying Fetus closed the night with a blistering set that exemplified technical death metal at its finest. Their complex rhythms and relentless pace captivated the audience, culminating in a finale that left fans exhilarated.
There are still many more shows ahead so don’t miss your chance to see all of these bands and experience them for yourself! Get your tickets HERE and stay tuned for more updates on the Chaos and Carnage tour!
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