Cannibal Corpse @ ABC, 31 Oct

Warming up a crowd almost entirely kitted out in Cannibal Corpse t-shirts doesn't seem to faze Dying Fetus, gladly seizing the opportunity to get everybody moving - even if they don't - whilst commanding some respectable circle pits in the process. The band's set is one of calculated brutality, with the long-winded Intentional Manslaughter proving the undisputed highlight that goes down surprisingly smooth.

However, as darkness falls, bathing the stage in blood-red light, anticipation turns to physical madness as Cannibal Corpse, led into battle by front man, George 'Corpsegrinder' Fisher, pulverise the hungry crowd with a thundering rendition of Evisceration Plague. Soon the floor becomes an open battleground as fans butt heads to a set spanning the band's entire career. Favourites like A Skull Full Of Maggots and Fucked with a Knife - which Corpsegrinder, with tongue firmly in cheek, dedicates to the modest female contingent in attendance - are delivered with impressive precision and force. As with many death metal bands, Cannibal Corpse's reputation for controversy and violent subject matter often undermines their collective talents, however, tonight's display of technical prowess proves sublime.

The rolling juggernaut of Hammer Smashed Face and Stripped, Raped and Strangled finishes the job in merciless style, rendering this quite some  Halloween to remember - that is if it hasn't already scarred the crowd for life. [Ryan Drever]