Reminiscing on CHAOS AND CARNAGE 2026

The Spring 2026 touring season is winding down to an end as the Summer festivals begin to open their doors. Especially for metal, the sheer amount of festivals – both European and American – that are calling the names and pocketbooks of metalheads far and wide is intimidating. Which is why big bolstering tour packages are so beloved. It’s a reminder to those of us too busy or broke that this is what it feels like to really party, and what better festival simulator than Chaos and Carnage? This year’s lineup was pretty serious, especially at the San Antonio show at The Rock Box. So then, as festivals start and Fall tours start getting announced, let’s go down memory lane together and thrive with CHAOS AND CARNAGE 2026.

Trenchborn – Kicking off the show with a performance from the Echo Stage, San Antonio natives, Trenchborn performed a pretty banger metalcore set. Raised in the trenches and built to hit harder, Trenchborn is more akin to the hardcore side of the genre, avoiding over-produced melodic tracks by beating their audience with sharp riffs and emotional tones.

Bodybox – Speaking of beatings, Bodybox is a sledgehammer to the skull, a freight of concrete nailing you in your coffin. The slam band is a favorite amongst the San Antonio scene, and it was pleasing to see the pit get as massive and violent as it got.

Fortunes TX – Fortunes forever, baby. I wore the shirt I picked up at their table to my college graduation not long after. Fortunes is another local outfit that just goes hard and only gets harder, a genuine two-step mosh mania. Hardcore for life, this band absolutely delivered an insane set. Gates to Hell – Gates to Hell might have been the most impressive band of the night. They moved, jumped, and sliced through those tracks with a tight accuracy that I don’t see many bands nail. A death metal band with a background within the hardcore scene, they played with a vitriolic skill that I truly respect.

Fluxus Mortis – These guys have been covered under San Antonio shows a number of times, and will continue to be included for a while to come. Between their impressive stage makeup, their sinister presence, and their general sound, the creative ethos of Fluxus Mortis is plainly visible. They will forever be one of my favorite bands to catch at any show.

Ingested – UK brutal death metal legends with a brand new album that slaps so hard. This band’s evolution always keeps me excited. I mean, I do have two wall flags in my place to prove it. Even with the replacement of their vocalist, and the fact that they were missing their bassist, Ingested still claimed what they needed to. An impressive band that I’ll never not be excited to see.

200 Stab Wounds – One of the bands I was most excited to see on this run, 200 Stab Wounds is a band with a crazy name, a crazy sound, and some good old fashioned death metal lyrics that are full of gore and splattered angst. My favorite moment from the entirety of Chaos and Carnage was singing along to the Irish rebel song, “Come Out Ye Black and Tans” to the band as they
played it for their walk-out music. Terrific set full of songs I’ve been waiting so long to hear.

Bodysnatcher – Bodysnatcher was originally supposed to be another opening band with a shorter setlist, but when Thy Art is Murder dropped off of the tour just before it kicked off, they stepped up in their role to accept the co-headlining spot. These guys have always been headliner material. An absolutely brutal set that had the audience getting down and dirty in that mosh pit. I’ve seen Bodysnatcher three times now and every time they’re continuously one of the most violent and hateful sounding bands live that I’ve ever had to face. It keeps me, and so many others, coming back.

Carnifex – Finally, we have our heavyweight champions, the daddies of the whole deathcore genre and the headlining heroes of the night: Carnifex. This was my second time seeing Carnifex and probably the thousandth time they’ve played The Rock Box over the years. What can we say, San Antonio loves metal. With a brand new sound and a brand new single called “Roses and
Rotting Corpses”, Carnifex sounded absolutely insane, a testament to keeping yourself and your artistry healthy and well-practiced. It’s not easy to stay a band for twenty plus years, but Carnifex shows us it’s worth it.

And with that, Chaos and Carnage came to an end. Let us know who you want to see on the next year’s package, where you want them to play, and make sure to check out all of the bands here on this list. See you next year!

PHOTO CREDIT: Live photos by Liam Tennant for ZRockR Magazine – @2026 – All Rights Reserved.