SUMMER SLAUGHTER 2026 PART TWO – HOBLV

August 22, 2026 –  Hatebreed had a little making up to do for us fans out here in Las Vegas. The first leg of this year’s Summer Slaughter skipped over us and there was definitely disappointment over it. However, I’d say this show definitely made up for that. Along for the ride on this run, Creeping Death, Gates to Hell, Torture, Incantation, and Terror. If you’re looking at that lineup and thinking, “Damn… that’s pretty intense.” That is the correct response- it was an intense evening at the House of Blues, and it went on for 6+ hours from the 4pm door time to close, so let’s get into it. 

Creeping Death

First up for the night was Texas’ Creeping Death. Yet another band that makes me wonder what’s in the water down there because the metal and hardcore coming from that state is top tier. The crowd was still light, the show had a 4pm door time, and fucking, Guns & Roses at Allegiant so I expected there to be a crowd… eventually. But those who trickled in a bit later definitely missed out on this gem. They came in fast and hard, and really set a good tone for the remainder of the evening. I’d class Creeping Death as modern death metal mixed with those obvious elements of southern groove. And we love that southern groove sound over here. (When I say that I’m talking about myself. I love the southern groove.)

Check out their latest record, “Boundless Domain” (2023) which is their second self released album.

Torture

I’m going to say right out the gate that I’m not super big on this particular brand of experimental death metal sound that Chicago’s Torture embodies. They took the stage as a three piece, with the drummer taking on vocal duties- a feat that I am always admired by. Torture uses their craft to talk about themes of war crimes and anti-imperialism, something that feels very refreshing given the state of our current landscape. These guys let you know where they stand right away, there is no confusion. Which, again, I appreciate, though their sound isn’t really for me. 

Torture’s last record was released independently in November 2025, and is titled “War Crime 2: Genocidal Protocol” and takes a huge leap in production quality in comparison to their 2023 release, “Enduring Freedom.” Definitely worth checking out if you’re in the realm of more raw, and very heavy energy charged brutality.

Gates to Hell

Coming to us from Kentucky, Gates to Hell exploded onto the stage, adding a bit more of a hardcore vibe to their brand of metal. But I wouldn’t consider these guys to be a version of metalcore, or deathcore for that matter. Though I think a chunk of those bases could definitely find something to like about these guys. Their brand of metal brings shorter songs that pack a real punch, which is something I always look for when I’m looking at anything that has a base in hardcore. That shit has to be absolutely gnarly for me to get into it and these guys definitely sufficed there. Just enough melody to keep you swaying, and heavy enough to keep your head banging. 

Gates to Hell released “Death Comes to All” back in March of 2025 via Nuclear Blast Records. (Little sidenote, I fucking love the bands that Nuclear Blast puts out, always hits just the right spot in my psyche so go check this one out if you haven’t already.)

Incantation

I caught the heavyweight east coast death metal dudes in Incantation for the first time last year when they opened up for Decapitated. I still am not overtly versed in the realm of death metal, (by all means, go talk to my husband about it, he’ll talk about death and black metal until the cows come home) but I definitely have a deepened appreciation for Incantation now having seen them perform a more varied setlist. Last time they played their 1994 record, Mortal Throne of Nazarene in its entirety, and while that was a really cool set, I very much enjoyed hearing what else they have to offer. Concordat (The Pact) I off of 2023’s “Unholy Deification” is a track that I think could catapult my likings more into the realm of death metal as a whole, and I think that kind of says a lot. 

Incantation seemed a little out of place for me on this bill, everyone else had more roots in hardcore, but they definitely brought a really cool element of diversity, and that was always something I enjoyed about the Summer Slaughter series back in the day. 

Terror

Our neighbors to the west are home to some of the most important names in hardcore and crossover/thrash. Terror hails from Los Angeles and are probably one of the most important bands in modern hardcore. Their history spans extensively over more than two decades, and they are still bringing out the young fans and are an obvious influence to the newer waves in the genre. This is the first time I am able to remember seeing Terror, and I say “remember” because they performed at a little hole in the wall venue out here in 2009 with Emmure and Winds of Plague and while I was at that show, I do not remember any of it due to a head injury after someone intentionally hit me twice. (Fuck you, whoever you are.) 

Terror is easily one of the most intense and raw bands I’ve ever been able to see live. The entire set you saw bodies flying over the barricade at the request of frontman Scott Vogel, and us photographers were not downplaying it in the slightest when we told security to be prepared. They weren’t at first, but they held it together pretty good after they realized how raw this energy is.

One of the coolest parts of this set was the amount of kids in the crowd, both moshing and crowd surfing. TERROR IS FOR THE KIDS! But it wouldn’t be a hardcore set if someone didn’t get knocked completely out. Halfway through security pulled a body through the crowd and out of the side door. Also can we talk about the fact that Terror has hit Vegas like, five times in the last two or three years? These guys are road dogs and don’t give a shit about the standard touring rules, and I commend them for that. Vegas loves them, and from all I’ve seen, the crowd comes out and gives them all they’ve got. Closing out with one of their most popular songs, (also one of the first I had heard from them years ago) “Keepers of the Faith,” there couldn’t have been a single non-raw set of vocal chords in the building. 

Terror released their latest in April of this year (2026). STILL SUFFER, released on Flatspot Records brings you all of the elements you love about Terror and hardcore in general. 

Hatebreed

Connecticut’s Hatebreed have been a staple in my journey as a metal fan. While their existence spans over the last 30 years, my fandom with them started sometime around 2005 at the ripe age of 16. The entire Rise of Brutality record spoke to a very tormented and bullied teenage Courtney. Music like this helped me really pivot into who I am today. When I explain Hatebreed to people who are unfamiliar, I often tell them not to let the Hatebreed name confuse them, this music is some of the most positive music in my collection. The message of perseverance and fighting through your shit is ever present from album to album and it’s one of the reasons I love them so much. Oh, and they’re also just catchy as fuck. (Ask my kids how many times I tell them not to DESTROY EVERYTHING, saying it enthusiastically while pumping my arms up and down, or that this isn’t a Hatebreed music video, you don’t need to Destroy Everything. Hard not to make things fun like that when you like music like this!)

I’ve spoken about this before with Hatebreed, it is really difficult for me to be objective with this band. I have the chorus for “In Ashes they Shall Reap” tattooed on my thigh for fuck’s sake. But they really are just THAT good. On this night they went through all their big heavy hitter songs, Live for This, To the Threshold, I Will Be Heard, and the list just goes on and on. We also got to hear Make the Demons Obey, their most recent single that was released last year, and words about a new album coming soon! So that’s exciting. Some cheeky remarks about packing the floor while Guns & Roses performed across the street had me giggling a little bit as well. 

Can we also just mention how much of an absolute warrior guitarist Wayne Lozniak is though? He received a brain tumor diagnosis last year and that shit didn’t stop him for very long. Jamey praised him for asking his doctors how soon he’d be able to hit the stage and here he is. Kicking ass and taking names. 

Another notable difference in this set compared to years in the past is the addition to First Blood vocalist Carl Schwartz on bass. First Blood is another band I had dipped into around the same time as when I found Hatebreed so it was pretty cool to see him add his brand of energy to the stage alongside the rest of the guys. Carl has a pretty cool history in the hardcore scene in general so go do some digging on that if you feel inclined to. All these scenes intertwine and it’s one of the coolest things about it. 

I could go on and on about things I love about Hatebreed. Their shows are always uplifting and powerful, and I’m just going to tell you to go see them. After 30 years they’re still bringing the beatdown that continues to be a force in the scene, and definitely go pick up their next release when it comes out. 

Summer Slaughter 2026 Part 2 Conclusions:

The first Summer Slaughter I attended was in 2009, at this same venue. I remember the doors opening at about 2pm, and there were TWELVE bands on the bill. So, double the amount that’s performing on this run. I can’t be mad at the bills being smaller, I know touring and booking this sort of stuff can be complicated. When I compare this night to years past, I get the same feeling now that I did back then, though. All of these bands hit me right in the gut with all the nostalgia, running around this city chasing the next show. Summer Slaughter, for me, brought all of the things it’s supposed to. A good mix of bands, and pits that leave you either out of breath or on the fucking floor. 

Was it worth it?

Yes. 

Until next time… 

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