Deathcore is alive and well in the city of Dallas, TX. Don’t believe me? Well you should have been at RBC on March 11th to experience Traitors on the Phobias Tour 2025. Joined by Crown Magnetar and Yosemite in Black, the bands proved that the genre is better than ever and all three are a force not to be reckoned with in the world of heavy music.
After the local bands got the crowd ready for the night, Yosemite in Black took the stage with an electrifying stage presence. If you’re unfamiliar with the band, fear not because I was in the same boat until I heard their sound shake me to my core from the PA speakers. While the band has been grinding away over the years, one could argue that they skyrocketed into popularity after their music video from LCY Uncut was released. LCY Uncut is essentially the Lyrical Lemonade for hardcore and heavy bands. Yosemite in Black encapsulates everything that many bands are missing: having fun with it. While the band’s ability to effortlessly blend the best components of hardcore, deathcore, and good ol’ fashion beatdown music, their claim for making the venue a safe space for the LBTQIA+ community really solidified my thought that “this band talks the talk and walks the walk”. Ending their set with “Robber Baron” was exactly the cherry on this hardcore sundae that the city of Dallas needed.
As Crown Magnetar took the stage to a roar of deafening applause, it was time to up the heaviness. Oh, you don’t know of Crown Magnetar? Have you been living under a rock? Do you just hate expertly crafted and executed deathcore with blast beats that rearrange your guts and vocals stripped right from the Gates of Hell? Let’s fix that! Hailing from Denver, CO, the band has been making a name for themselves for years and continued to do especially with 2023’s Everything Bleeds. The band has also had some huge tour success as they have opened for the likes of Carnifex, Paleface Swiss, Traitors, and their own headline tour this past 2024. Magnetar have just released their newest EP, Punishment, and if this release doesn’t solidify their place as deathcore royalty, nothing will. I don’t think this band has ever released a bad song and obviously the fans at RBC agreed because it’s not easy to mosh to almost 35 minutes of blast beats, but I saw countless fans take on that challenge. Bringing this heaviness to Dallas was exactly what the doctor ordered as they unveiled a relentless barrage of deathcore to fans in attendance.
After much moshing, two-stepping, and partying, it was finally time for the almighty Traitors to take the stage. It would be fair to say that some of us here at Music Scene Media are huge Traitors fans as we have reviewed their newest album, Phobias, and talked to the Prince of Deathcore himself, Tyler Shelton, about Phobias as well. How could anyone not like this band? They’ve been consistently raising the bar for that deep-south beatdown music since the release of their first EP back in 2014 and I would even argue from their first ever single release the year prior. 11 years in the deathcore game and only getting better with each release is not something many bands can claim.
Everything about the band’s set was nothing short of perfection as I couldn’t tell who was going more apeshit: the band or fans. Plus, Shelton’s ability to interact with the crowd is unmatched with his level of charisma and stage charm. If you doubt me, you can. You’re wrong, but you can doubt me. I mean, c’mon. Did you hear that flawless impression of the Texas Rattlesnake, Stone Cold Steve Austin? Chef’s kiss. Multiple times through the set, Shelton ensured to stop and thank the crowd over and over again for their support of the years. One could argue that these aren’t just fans anymore, but a big ol’ deathcore family. While the entire night was as close to perfect as possible, there was one moment that easily took the cake: hearing “Menace to Society” live. From that intro to the breakdown to the fans in the crowd screaming the lyrics back louder than the PA speakers… It reminds me why we love this genre.
Fans are in luck because the Phobias Tour has all but just begun so there are plenty more dates and chances to see this tour package live.
