Vintage Industrial Bar hosted an unforgettable evening of uncompromising brutality as Abyssal Booking and Nasty Events joined forces to present one of the strongest brutal death metal lineups of the year. Featuring Turkish veterans Cenotaph, Croatian rising force Mazuku and local goregrind/death metal crushers Gutswamp, the event delivered everything fans of extreme music could hope for.
The night opened with Gutswamp, who immediately set the tone with their filthy blend of death metal and goregrind. Their crushing riffs, relentless drumming, and raw, rotten sound created an intense atmosphere from the very first song. The band demonstrated noticeable growth since the release of Virulent Pleasures, delivering a confident and energetic performance that earned an enthusiastic response from the crowd.
Making their Zagreb debut, Mazuku proved exactly why they have quickly gained a reputation as one of Croatia’s fastest and most brutal death metal acts. Their material from Erosive Peristaltic Atrocity translated perfectly to the live stage, combining technical precision with overwhelming aggression. Every song hit with incredible force and the audience responded with constant movement, headbanging and loud applause throughout their set. Their first appearance in Zagreb was an undeniable success.
The evening culminated with the long-awaited return of Turkish brutal death metal pioneers Cenotaph, performing in Zagreb for the first time in seven years. The band lived up to their legendary status, delivering a masterclass in technical brutality. Their performance showcased over three decades of experience, seamlessly blending crushing heaviness, blistering speed and surgical precision. Songs from across their extensive discography, including material from Precognition to Eradicate, were met with overwhelming enthusiasm from fans who had eagerly awaited their return.
The atmosphere throughout the evening was exceptional. The audience packed the venue, creating an energetic yet respectful environment that perfectly reflected the strong sense of community within the underground extreme metal scene. Fans supported every band with relentless energy, loud cheers and continuous participation from the first performance to the final encore-worthy moments.
Special praise goes to all three bands for delivering outstanding performances that highlighted the diversity and strength of today’s brutal death metal scene. Gutswamp showcased the power of the local underground, Mazuku confirmed their status as one of Croatia’s most exciting extreme metal acts and Cenotaph reminded everyone why they remain one of the genre’s most respected pioneers.
The overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees after the show confirmed what everyone inside Vintage Industrial Bar had experienced—a professionally organized event, exceptional performances, excellent sound and an unforgettable atmosphere. It was a night that celebrated extreme music at its finest and left fans eagerly anticipating the next collaboration between Abyssal Booking, Nasty Events and Vintage Industrial Bar.
Photography: private archive
