Oklahoma City threw down like the weekend never ended when LORNA SHORE brought their North American tour to The Criterion on a Monday night. Along for the ride were THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, SHADOW OF INTENT, and hometown heroes PEELINGFLESH. All of the bands wreaked havoc on the stage and left fans with a night they'll never forget.

Oklahoma absolutely loves LORNA SHORE, but PEELINGFLESH was the star of the night while opening the show in their hometown — with the fans that have supported them from their beginning and as they continue to reach new levels of metal fame. This is such an ideal tour for them to land as a band that is bringing something fresh to heavy music. They took time during their set to praise their tour mates for being so down-to-earth and supportive of them — the idea of the metal family is alive and well. PEELINGFLESH blends hip hop samples and culture with some of the heaviest music you've ever heard, and they put their money where their mouth is during their performance. They're creating a movement where they can introduce hip hop fans to metal and vice versa. And while they may not be the first band to mash up metal and hip hop, they may very well be the best — and the heaviest. They had the Oklahoma City crowd in the palm of their hands, shouting the lyrics back at them at the top of their lungs. There's no doubt they have made a lasting impression on crowds in other cities on this tour. If you're one to typically miss the opening band at shows, you'd be a fool to miss this one.

SHADOW OF INTENT put the pedal to the metal when they took the stage next, despite not having their vocalist Ben Duerr due to his wife having a baby. The didn't band didn't hold back at all and bassist Andrew Monias took over vocals for a few of the shows, including this one. They performed as if it had always been this way and certainly they made their fans and Ben proud. It can't be an easy task to keep the show going without a vital member of the band, but SHADOW OF INTENT nailed it. They have one of the most intense light shows, matching the band's electric stage energy.

If you ever want to see a crowd go absolutely ballistic, go see THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER. Crowd surfers did not stop pouring over the barricade one right after the other like a flood and the mosh pits were ludicrous. After the tragic passing of vocalist Trevor Strnad in 2022, the band decided to keep going with guitarist Brian Eschbach taking over on vocals. Fans have as much love for the band as ever and their energy during this set makes it evident that continuing THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER was the right choice and the best way to honor Trevor. The crowd went completely feral during their set and it was as much fun to watch them as it was to see the band on stage killing it.  This band has influenced many in the metal world, including members of LORNA SHORE, and its incredible to see them thriving after the devastation of losing one of their own.

LORNA SHORE have become the kings of deathcore since Will Ramos took over vocals, even though their musicianship was impressive far before that. Finding the perfect fit vocally has only skyrocketed them to the next level, making them a force to be reckoned with. They're selling out headlining shows on their own tour and their music is consistently recognized as the future of heavy music. Seeing them on stage is a powerful experience, as it's remarkable to hear Will's screams and gutturals in real life and witness him execute these surreal sounds backed by the brutality of the band's sound. They have solidified themselves as one of modern metal's top players and hopefully they're not going anywhere soon. Any time they play an Oklahoma venue, it will be sure to sell out whether they're opening or headlining, because they have the talent and the showmanship it takes to keep bringing in crowds and keep them wanting more.