Celebrating Chuck Schuldiner's Legacy Live at Danforth Music Hall on the 2025 Death to All Symbolic Healing Tour
- jaybroderick
- 4 days ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
By: Jay Broderick
Toronto, Canada - Winter has gnashed its ugly teeth here in Toronto, the death of summer clearly not a dream. The biting cold and first snowfall outside felt ironic for tonight’s showcase, a night dedicated to the legacy of Chuck Schuldiner, one of the most influential figures in heavy metal history. Inside the Danforth Music Hall, however, warmth came not from heaters but from riffs, sweat, and the collective roar of 800 devoted fans, ready for another Death to All performance in Toronto for the band's 2025 'Symbolic Healing' Tour, This time, the band celebrates the anniversary of Death albums Spiritual Healing, and Symbolic.
Before doors opened, I spotted Shawn Stoneman of local band Skeleton Lake in the lineup. We chatted briefly about their support of Chris Holmes and the progress on Skeleton Lake’s new album. It's a reminder that Toronto’s underground scene continues to thrive alongside these legendary acts.
Phobophilic
The evening kicked off with Phobophilic, hailing from North Dakota. Vocalist/guitarist Josh Poer wasted no time introducing the band, and from the first note of "The Illusion of Self", the room was hit with a wall of sound that immediately evoked vibes of death metal legends Bolt Thrower.
By the second track "Nauseating Despair", the frontman challenged the Toronto crowd. “Are you alive out there?” He wanted more moshers, and he got them! A crushing drum breakdown during "Those Which Stare Back" about following darkness into the abyss, brought a deafening roar from the audience.
The band stood firm, headbanging in unison as they burned through their set. Closing with final track "Diminished to Unbeing", they somehow managed to get even heavier, leaving the crowd applauding enthusiastically. Phobophilic proved themselves a worthy opener, setting the tone for the night’s brutality.
Gorguts
Next came Gorguts, the legendary death metal outfit from Sherbrooke, Quebec. I’ll admit, I never realized the band's roots until tonight... for shame!!! Watching Luc Lemay, the grizzled guitarist/vocalist, and only original member, with his long grey hair and beard made me feel proud to be of the same generation... in fact, the same age! I may not exude the coolness of Lemay, but it's awesome to see there is still a boat load of relevance.
As the band kicked into opening track "Disincarnated", Lemay's guttural vocals and the band's pounding rhythms shook the hall. Ahead of the band's 4th track, a fan’s lone “Woooooo!” sparked a chant of “Gorguts! Gorguts!” Drummer Michel Bélanger kicked the bass drum in time, and the band launched into a crushing track, horns raised high.
Lemay addressed the crowd warmly. “How are you Toronto? Wow, this is fucking great! Thanks so much for coming out.” He shared that the track we just heard was a brand new song from their upcoming album, and then dove back into older material, opening a circle pit that swallowed half the floor.
Their set closed with ferocity on “Bodily Corrupted” as another pit erupted. The abrupt ending left the crowd exploding in applause. It was clear, Gorguts remain a force, both timeless and vital.
Death To All
Finally, the moment everyone had been waiting for... Death To All!!! Though the hall wasn’t sold out, the 800 strong in attendance were clearly diehards, ready to honor the band's late founder Chuck Schuldiner. As Celtic Frost's “Circle of the Tyrants” played over the speakers, anticipation built. Then the band stormed the stage.
The band kicked things off with "Living Monstrosity", the lead track from Death's 3rd album release Spiritual Healing. The album was released in 1990, making this the 35th anniversary and one of the album's that Death to All is celebrating on this current tour. The band played another track from the anniversary record, and then threw in the Human track “Lack of Comprehension” that sent the first body flying over the barricade.
The band’s energy was infectious. Photographers (myself included) had a field day as members leaned into the lenses, fully embracing the moment, and giving us some amazing footage. Any time I have covered Death to All, they have been an absolute treat! Easily one of my favourite bands, both through the stereo and in the live environment. Nobody readily comes to mind that is more fun to watch. It's only a few tracks into their set, but this is the tightest, and most inspired performance I have ever seen yet. They're on fire, and I'm giddy with excitement!
"Fucking right Toronto! What an amazing time to be back in TO!" As is the norm, bassist Steve DiGiorgio takes the duties of chatting with the fans. And I don't miss the fact that he actually uses the term "T.O." with perfect precision. With chants of “Chuck! Chuck! Chuck!” erupting through the music hall, the band tore into “Altering the Future”, another track from Healing.
From “Within the Mind” to “The Philosopher” and “Spiritual Healing”, the set was relentless. Phelps’ vocals carried Schuldiner’s spirit with uncanny precision as he and guitarist Bobby Koelble lock themselves in front of drumming legend Gene Hoglan. The 2 play off of each other, sharing leads back and forth. The pace was unmatched, fists pumping high as the band goofed around on stage, clearly having a blast.
With the band's set somewhat split in 2, DiGiorgio announced that they’d play Death's 6th studio album Symbolic in full, an in sequence, track by track. With this, the hall erupted as the band exploded into the first, and title track. White spotlights caught a crowd surfer mid-flight. It was a wicked visual from my position up in the balcony, where I chose to check out for a different vantage point than my regular spot on the floor stage right.
Death to All charged through the complete album with fury. During “Sacred Serenity”, the stage was bathed in red and blue lights, casting a purple glow over Phelps. Chant's of "Chuck" rang out during "Misanthrope" and as the album tracks came to a close with the epic “Perennial Quest” DiGiorgio thanked Toronto for their unwavering support. That was of course until the proverbial encore.
For two straight hours, the mosh pit never stopped, and neither did the band. Sweat poured, riffs soared, and Chuck’s legacy lived on in every note.
Set List
Living Monstrosity
Defensive Personalities
Lack of Comprehension
Altering the Future
Zombie Ritual
Within the Mind
The Philosopher
Spiritual Healing
Symbolic:
Symbolic
Zero Tolerance
Empty Words
Sacred Serenity
1,000 Eyes
Without Judgement
Crystal Mountain
Misanthrope
Perennial Quest
Encore:
Spirit Crusher
Pull the Plug
Walking out into the cold Toronto night, the heat and chaos inside the Danforth Music Hall spilled out onto Danforth Avenue. Death To All didn’t just perform, they resurrected. On Canadian Remembrance Day, we remembered the brave soldiers who died fighting for our freedom, and in Toronto, Death to All remembered their fallen brother Chuck Schuldiner. This show was a reminder that he lives on.
Concert Photo Gallery (all photos by Jay Broderick)
Death to All Online
Show Date: November 11, 2025
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