Performer(s) – Xasthur, Temple of the Fuzz Witch, and Decay
Venue – Corktown Tavern
Location – Detroit, MI
Concert Date – July 5th, 2025
Author + Photographer – Porous
It’s not every day that a one-person black metal band dusts off their gear and graces their fans with a live musical performance. Xasthur is one such musician. In the nearly three decades this solo project has existed, he’s only played live a handful of times. I remember telling a friend that he would be playing in Detroit and she literally wept. Not the usual tears associated with Xasthur’s intense depressive style of black metal, but these were tears of joy.
Getting to experience this rare sighting of the notoriously reclusive one-man black metal artist at Detroit’s own Corktown Tavern was an incredible time. Before Xasthur serenaded us with his new acoustic doom folk songs, both of the openers blew our minds with their respective metal sets.
DECAY
Hailing from Nashville, Decay were the first of the evening, and set the bar super high. Their sound often blends metal and crust, which is especially apparent in their most recent single, “Slime”, and was a treat to see them do this one live. Decay’s vocalist, S. Kay was often performing from the floor and gave everything she had to every screamed word. Everyone in that band performed at their best though. Which is even more impressive after learning that the drummer and bassist had only recently joined (or were filling in)! Follow Decay on Instagram to see when they’ll be playing near you @decay.sucks
TEMPLE OF THE FUZZ WITCH
Next up were local favorites Temple of the Fuzz Witch. Just three fellas and they sounded huge. The venue was starting to fill up by this point and the entire crowd was entranced by this trio’s tight-as-hell performance. They’d fill the room with these super heavy doom riffs, just to cut them down with a barrage of beautifully blackened fast passages. I swear that every note from the bass guitar landed like a bomb. The drum hits were brutal and I’d have to remind myself to stop banging my head while trying to take photos. And then I don’t understand how he does it, but it was a joy seeing Noah shred away on that guitar while unleashing shrieks into the mic. Follow Temple of the Fuzz Witch on Instagram to see what all they’ve got coming up @templeofthefuzzwitch
XASTHUR
Shortly before he took the stage, I looked over at my fellow heathens to gauge the excitement, and it was palpable. This was something special. In talking with Xasthur before the show, he confirmed this was only the second time he’d ever performed in Michigan (first was in Lansing a decade prior). I do not know what that past performance entailed, but in this one Xasthur did not scream, nor play anything resembling the depressive suicidal black metal (dsbm) that he was known for during the 2000s. This set was made up entirely of newer instrumental material that he played on acoustic guitars to a pre-recorded bass and drums track he’d made. While most bands with longevity have been quick to cash-in on the nostalgia of playing their classic metal albums front-to-back, Xasthur went the “untrendy” route and played a set of completely new material and in a style that reflects how his creativity has evolved. And I love that.
While there were definitely moments that got my head banging, the performance overall had an ominously chill atmosphere to it. If I wasn’t shooting photos I might’ve sat down cross-legged directly in front of him to experience this doom folk serenade. He said very little while playing and focused on one of the three guitars he’d switch between, his smooth finger-picking entrancing me at times, creating a faux-tremolo feel to some of the chords. As I said before, this was mostly new and unrecorded material from him, so it felt like we were not only seeing, but also hearing new music from Xasthur that may never be heard again! But who knows what the future has in store, so follow him on Instagram at @xasthur_official1
Once the show ended, I don’t think any of us were ready to go home quite yet. I remember seeing an online description promoting the show earlier in the week that asserted there’d be “good vibes”. I jokingly scoffed at that with my friends, as “good vibes” are not often associated with Xasthur’s music. But (most) everyone evolves and musical tastes change over time. Although the music is definitely still quite dark, I am incredibly grateful to have experienced this alternative incarnation of Xasthur’s songwriting and to have shared some “good vibes” with him and everyone there.
Follow @porousphoto on Instagram to see more pics from the show!
Biography: Porous has been possessed by heavy music for the vast majority of his life. For a good chunk of it, that love was exorcised by playing metal, punk, and hardcore with other musicians. Nowadays Porous writes/records music mostly on his own, but engages with the community by supporting/encouraging other artists, and one of those ways is through writing! In early 2025 he joined MoshPitNation to contribute album/show reviews, concert photography, and hopefully an infectious love for sincere heavy music. For more photography, visit his digital portfolio.
