Lorna Shore fall headliner kicked off its second date of tour this Friday, with a sold out night at History in Toronto. Arguably one of the heaviest lineups we’ve seen all year, this night was a call to all metal and death-core fans. Playing the entire ‘Pain Remains’ album, Lorna Shore was supported by Sanguisugabogg, Kublai Khan, and Whitechapel. Sanguisugabogg kicked off the night full-swing! Despite the band’s sound being more on the gory & grotesque side, they undeniably put on an entertaining show. A few songs into their set, the crowd was invited to play “Murderball”. A tradition which involves throwing a football into the pit, with the last person holding it winning a free shirt. This is a classic part of any Sanguisigabogg concert and an awesome way to get to know the band for newer fans. We’re still awaiting confirmation on that night’s victor. 
Next up, Texan metalcore legends, Kublai Khan, who just headlined their own tour earlier this year in April. Front-man Matt Honeycutt engaged the crowd with a dynamic performance, as songs delivered on themes of social injustice, brotherhood, and resilience. The energy was unrelenting, and authentic as the crowd danced and two stepped throughout the night. This band should definitely be on everyone’s radar, with heavy breakdowns aligned closer to a hardcore sound, they bring an element of grooviness that makes them unique. Of course, towards the end of their performance playing not only “Antpile”, but also “Antpile 2” the crowd united in a salute to Texas with Honeycutt. Co-headliners, Tennessee’s Whitechapel, brought us back to the early 2000s death-core world, with their sound involving a cohesive mix of heavy riffs, metal-core tones, otherworldly vocals and technical mastery. This band is a staple in any metal playlist, and they were sure to bring their best. Performing classics like “This is Exile” and “The Saw is the Law”, fans also got to experience the debut of new songs “Hymns of Dissonance” and their latest single release “A Visceral Retch”. This band has been in the scene for a long time, and they’ve been able to truly evolve their sound, while still sticking to their traditional death-core roots. This was the perfect co-headliner to prepare the crowd for what was next. 
Last but not least, the much anticipated Lorna Shore, coming out of New Jersey. This band has become a household name, growing increasingly popular for vocalist Will Ramos’ snarls and remarkable vocal range. This group really pushes the boundaries of death-core, creating tunes that ignite emotion from fans, while simultaneously hitting them with aggressive and melodic tunes. Lorna Shore walks the walk, incorporating theatrics, charisma, and raw talent during their performances – Toronto was no exception to this. Playing the entirety of their 2022 popular album “Pain Remains”, fans were reminded of the band’s unique sound, passion, and lyrical depth. One fun highlight of the show was actually at the beginning of their set, after wrapping up the song “Welcome Back, O’ Sleeping Dreamer” the group felt that slight technical issues impacted their ability to give fans their best. They agreed on a re-do and replayed the song again which fans were not opposed to at all. It was a fun bonus and really spoke true to the band’s dedication of quality to their fans. The night continued with high energy, crowd surfing, and excitement as fans sang along to some of their favourite songs from the band. 
The tour is scheduled to continue as it’s only in its first leg of the run, with almost all dates selling out fast across the US. For anyone who wasn’t able to attend, or is just looking to relive this unforgettable night – we were sure to capture all of the highlights in the below photo gallery from History in Toronto on September 20th, 2024 featuring all four bands. For additional photos and future updates on the band, you can follow them on Instagram @LornaShore.
Article & Photos By Claudia K (@ThinkTwicePhoto)
