By: Jay Broderick

Oshawa, ON – The Atria in Oshawa, known for its relentless dedication to live music
seven nights a week, was the battleground for the Zero Tolerance Death by Thrash
Tour, and it did not disappoint. Presented by Toronto’s live music promoter Neurotic
Entertainment, and despite a modest turnout, the energy inside was volcanic, with
three bands delivering a full-throttle metal experience that proved the genre is alive and
thrashing in Toronto’s backyard.

Vesper

First Show, First Victory! Opening the night was Vesper, a fresh-faced local act playing
their first-ever live show. Ahead of the show, guitarist Owen Schoch shared the band’s
origins, having met at open mic jams at Oshawa’s newest live music venue Bond|St,
mere months ago. With 14 year old fill-in guitarist Milan Pankratsenka joining Schoch,
Oliver Smith (bass/vocals), and Lukas Smith (drums), the band kicked things off with a
bold cover of Metallica’s “Am I Evil”, a nod to Diamond Head’s original.

Though all songs were covers, their execution was impressive, culminating in a
crushing rendition of Trivium’s “Rain” that had fans thrashing up front and headbanging
in the back. The band’s chemistry and raw talent shone through. For a debut, this was a
triumph. WELL DONE!

Zero Tolerance

The crowd’s anticipation peaked for Zero Tolerance, the band many had come
specifically to see, including myself after reading Dan Duffin’s rave review from the
band’s show in The Hammer last year.

A thunderous drum intro led into their explosive opener, followed by “Hellion,” a track
from their debut EP Tender is the Flesh, released exactly one year ago. Vocalist Nate

Yarrow channeled early Quorthon, the legendary vocalist for Sweden’s Metal Gods
Bathory, with gritty, old-school vocals reminiscent of the aforementioned band’s self
titled debut, and their 2nd release The Return. The band’s sound was pure 1980s
thrash, raw, fast, and furious.

“Kill The Colony” and “None of Your Concern” showcased new material from their
upcoming debut album, while “Written to Die” ignited a mosh pit at the bassist’s request.

Nate closed with a rallying cry: “DEATH BY THRASH!”, a chorus the crowd screamed
back with fervor. Five shows into their Quebec-Ontario tour, Zero Tolerance proved
they’re a force to be reckoned with. Metal World… LOOK OUT!

Black Absinthe

Toronto’s Power Trio Headliners Black Absinthe took the stage with theatrical flair!
Bassist Kyle Scarlett in iconic makeup, drummer Fernando Villalobos barefoot,
guitarist/vocalist Jack Cerre with his legendary heavy metal look of whip straight hair
and a ‘stache that Ron Jeremy would be proud of, blew out of the gates with a sound
check that quickly gave way to a blistering set. “Let’s not have them wait any longer,”
Cerre declared before launching into their first track.

Listen, I made the comment earlier that I was at this show specifically to catch Zero
Tolerance. While that is completely true, Black Absinthe are huge in the Toronto metal
scene. I first caught the band live during the Bastardane show at Sneaky Dee’s on
August 6, 2024, and I tell you, these guys are the real deal! So I was completely gassed
to stay for the full show, and check out these madmen from the big city.

Highlights included “Twisted Past,” a 13-year-old staple featuring a blistering solo and
synchronized thrashing from the 2 guys up front, and “Essentially Fucked,” which
opened with Slayer-esque cymbal chaos and another fiery solo from the singer-guitarist.
I’d also be remiss to call out the band’s performance of “Jean Lanfray”, the dark tale of
absinthe-fueled madness, while “Nobody Knows” teased an upcoming music video.

Despite being a three-piece, their sound was massive… raw yet full. The band also
played their iconic tribute to ‘Queen West’, their Toronto party stomping ground, before

thanking the crowd and fellow bands. Though the room wasn’t packed, Black Absinthe
gave it everything, proving once again that passion trumps numbers.

While the Death by Thrash Tour is Zero Tolerance’s 2025 Quebec-Ontario tour, Black
Absinthe performed headline duties at the Oshawa stop. It was a testament to metal’s
enduring spirit. From Vesper’s promising debut to Zero Tolerance’s thrash revival and
Black Absinthe’s seasoned power, the night was a celebration of grit, energy, and
community. And judging by the young fans in attendance, the future of metal, at least
here in Toronto, is in very good hands.

A variety of Images from the Atria:

show date: August 5, 2025