Live Review: EXODUS, HAVOK, and MISFIRE – The Truman, Kansas City, MO – May 3, 2025
Swarm of Horror Tour
Kansas City was a battleground of thrash on Saturday night as the Swarm of Horror tour stormed into The Truman, headlined by none other than Bay Area legends EXODUS. What was originally billed to include death-thrash pioneers POSSESSED saw a mid-tour pivot due to frontman Jeff Becerra’s medical limitations, but HAVOK stepped into the slot with a vengeance. Kicking off the night was Chicago’s MISFIRE, and from the opening riff to the final dive bomb, the show was a relentless celebration of old-school aggression and modern intensity.
Chicago trio MISFIRE opened the night with a raw, muscular sound that set the tone for the evening. They quickly won over early arrivals by blending groove-heavy riffage with a distinctly classic thrash sensibility. With no gimmicks and minimal banter, MISFIRE let the riffs speak for themselves, delivering a concise, hard-hitting set that proved why they’re a rising force in the underground. Their performance was both a nod to their influences and a warning shot to anyone sleeping on the next generation of thrash.
Replacing POSSESSED was no easy task, but HAVOK didn’t just fill the gap—they detonated it. The Denver-based quartet came out swinging with “Point of No Return” and didn’t let up. Frontman David Sanchez’s razor-sharp vocals cut through a barrage of syncopated riffs and jackhammer drumming, especially on standouts like “Fear Campaign” and “Phantom Force.” Politically charged and musically intricate, HAVOK’s set was both a pit-starter and a brain-stirrer. By the time they closed with the twin assault of “Give Me Liberty…or Give Me Death” and “From the Cradle to the Grave,” the crowd was thoroughly thrashed, physically and philosophically.
EXODUS: 40 Years of Blood, Sweat, and Thrash
As the stage lights dimmed and the opening notes of “Bonded by Blood” rang out, EXODUS reminded everyone exactly why they’re thrash royalty. Celebrating the 40th anniversary of their landmark debut, the band ripped through a career-spanning set that merged classic anthems with crushing newer material. Rob Dukes’s venomous delivery was as potent as ever, snarling through “Fabulous Disaster,” “Blacklist,” and the newer “Prescribing Horror” with equal conviction.
The crowd erupted into circle pits during “The Toxic Waltz” and “Strike of the Beast,” the latter capping off a blistering finale that felt both celebratory and savage. Guitarist Gary Holt was in top form, effortlessly ripping through riff after riff with his trademark blend of precision and chaos, while drummer Tom Hunting delivered punishing rhythms that drove each track home like a nail through concrete.
Despite lineup changes and time’s relentless march, EXODUS sounded as vital and dangerous as ever. The bond between the band and their fans—built on four decades of sweat-drenched shows like this one—was on full display, roaring louder than ever from the floor of The Truman.
The Swarm of Horror may have lost one of its original soldiers in POSSESSED, but the Kansas City stop proved that the battle cry of thrash metal still rings loud and clear. With MISFIRE laying the groundwork, HAVOK igniting the middle, and EXODUS delivering the killing blow, this was more than just a concert—it was a declaration of thrash’s continued domination.
“EXODUS sounded as vital and dangerous as ever—four decades in, and still leading the charge.”
Photos by Thomas Woroniak Photography
Exodus
Havok
Misfire
