Kristin Lockhart
Audio By Carbonatix
“We have a deal, no voices tomorrow!” shouted Hatebreed frontman Jamey Jasta during the last portion of the band’s performance at The Bomb Factory on Sunday, July 13. Indeed, there will be many metalheads with a sore throat the morning after, as both the band and the fans gave it their all.
To a certain extent, you know what to expect at a Hatebreed show: moshing, meaty riffs and lots of cargo pants.
However, no matter how many tours the band cycles through, they still manage to summon the palpable energy needed for an unforgettable show after more than 30 years together. This stop was part of the Summer Slaughter Tour, which began on July 8 in St. Petersburg, Florida, and runs through July 28 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. On Sunday, Dallas witnessed the new era of Summer Slaughter.
Sumerian Records’ annual Summer Slaughter Tour came to a halt in 2020 during the pandemic before being resurrected last year. After backlash about the 2024 lineup choices, Jamey Jasta took part in the decision-making for bands on the roster in 2025.
The result is that subgenres from grindcore to crossover thrash are represented. Incite, Escuela Grind, Gridiron, Creeping Death and Fugitive all brought their own blend of hardcore and metal influences into a well-rounded night.
Leading up to Hatebreed, prominent local metal groups Fugitive and Creeping Death both tore through short but blistering sets to warm up the crowd. They expressed their gratitude for being on the bill for such an influential band, yet also reminded everyone that the local metal scene is standing strong.
Surprisingly, Hatebreed didn’t play any material from 2020’s excellent Weight of the False Self, but the group mixed in crowd favorites and kicked off the set with the hard-hitting “I Will Be Heard.”
The four-piece didn’t need a hefty production for an effective show but did blast the stage with CO2 cannons and also implemented a large, presumably evil character to loom over the band.
At the center of it all were simply the songs. They didn’t need the pomp and circumstance as the crowd reciprocated the band’s energy. As Jasta himself said, “Best Sunday night that I can remember!”
See more photos from Sunday at The Bomb Factory:
Incite started off the night at The Bomb Factory.
Kristin Lockhart
Incite brought thrash to the incoming crowd.
Kristin Lockhart
Escuela Grind brought grindcore into the mix.
Kristin Lockhart
Katerina Economou of Escuela Grind didn’t stop moving for the whole performance.
Kristin Lockhart
Gridiron brought its unique hardcore sound.
Kristin Lockhart
Gridiron guitarist Xavier Wilson was lively from start to finish.
Kristin Lockhart
Creeping Death guitarist Trey Pemberton displayed skills other than just riffing.
Kristin Lockhart
Creeping Death were the representatives of the night for DFW death metal.
Kristin Lockhart
Creeping Death observes the moshers.
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The circle pit enjoying Creeping Death.
Kristin Lockhart
Fugitive opened its set with 100% energy.
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Fugitive’s Blake Ibanez is getting in a good headbang.
Kristin Lockhart
Fugitive vocalist Seth Gilmore during a performance of “Neutralized.”
Kristin Lockhart
A crowd surfer enjoys the view.
Kristin Lockhart
Hatebreed opens its set with “I Will Be Heard.”
Kristin Lockhart
Hatebreed riffing away at The Bomb Factory.
Kristin Lockhart
Jamey Jasta gets the crowd going with CO2 cannons galore.
Kristin Lockhart
Hatebreed performing “Before Dishonor.”
Kristin Lockhart
Fans toss around the gigantic “Ball of Death” that this writer absolutely did not get hit in the head with.
Kristin Lockhart
The crowd showing its appreciation after Hatebreed ends with “Looking Down the Barrel of Today.”
Kristin Lockhart
