Manila Metal Maniacs witnessed yet another unforgettable night of headbanging mayhem as The Bay Strikes Back brought together three Titans of Thrash Metal – Testament, Exodus, and Death Angel.

With a career spanning four decades of music aggression, these lords of metal show no signs of waning and it exceeded expectations at every level with The Bay Strikes Back as their witness.

Kicking the night with a blistering set was Death Angel. The crowd erupted as frontman, Mark Osegueda took the stage, with the twin guitar attack of Rob Cavestany and Ted Aguilar along with Will Carroll’s thunderous drumming, the band shook the very foundation of the SM Skydome.

Opening with “The Ultra Violence and Mistress of Pain” and then continuing with their barrage of sonic onslaught “Seemingly Endless Time”, “The Moth” and “Thrown to the Wolves” The mosh pit swirled into a vortex of chaos. Setting the tone for an unforgettable evening.

As the venue continued to pulsate with adrenaline, Exodus took the stage like a storm. With frontman Steve “Zetro” Souza leading the charge, the band launched into classics like “Bonded by Blood,” and “Toxic Waltz,” and finished with “Prescribing Horror” from their latest album “Persona Non Grata” with fans forming a whirlwind of bodies in the pit. The sheer intensity of Gary Holt and Lee Altus’s guitar work combined with Tom Hunting’s relentless drumming showcased their unwavering prowess. It only proves why they are true thrash metal legends.

Closing out the night, the anticipation for Testament reached its zenith, Chuck Billy’s menacing presence and ferocious vocals were nothing short of awe-inspiring. The band’s tight performance, fueled by Alex Skolnick’s virtuosic guitar work and Chris Dovas’ brutal drumming, sent shockwaves through the audience.

Classics like “Into the Pit” and “Over the Wall” left fans in a frenzy, and newer tracks like “Children of the Next Level” from their last album “Titans of Creation” showcased the band’s enduring creativity. Proving that after all these years, they still stand as one of the Gods of Heavy Metal.

In conclusion, The Bay Strikes Back tour was a triumph for the bands and the local metal scene. Testament, Exodus, and Death Angel proved once again why they are revered as thrash metal royalty and that the metal scene here in the country is still thriving, no matter how the musical landscape evolves over time. The unbridled energy shown by the fans and the sheer musical mastery displayed by these bands will undoubtedly be remembered as a testament to the enduring power of metal music.

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THE BAY STRIKES BACK was presented by PULP Live World. Special thanks to PULP Live World for the invitation.