INGESTED

Old Guard Out, New Blood In: Ingested’s Brutal Rebirth, but did Vancouver show up?

British death metal veterans Ingested entered a period of uncertainty in late 2024, following the departure of longtime vocalist Jason Evans. Evans, who fronted the band for years and delivered the vocals on The Tide of Death and Fractured Dreams (released January 2024), left under circumstances that remain unclear. For many fans, his exit raised doubts about whether the band could maintain its signature ferocity.

In November, guitarist Sean Hynes and drummer Lyn Jeffs announced a new roster: Andrew Virrueta on guitar, Josh Davies stepping in as lead vocalist, and—surprisingly—a bassist, Thomas O’Mailley. The addition of a bassist marks a notable shift, as Ingested have often performed without one on stage.

The personnel changes sparked skepticism among longtime followers, but the band now faces the ultimate test: the live arena. Tonight, Ingested headline a tour stop at Vancouver’s Rickshaw Theatre, joined by Distant, Ov Sulfur, Cell, and Crucifiction. For fans, the performance will serve as a litmus test for the band’s new era—whether the revamped lineup can uphold the crushing intensity that has defined Ingested’s career, or whether the departure of Evans marks the end of an era.

When Ingested stormed the stage, the lineup was immediately noticeable: four members, with no bassist in sight. Whether bassist Thomas O’Mailley is reserved strictly for studio work or simply absent from this run remains unclear, but the stripped-down setup didn’t dampen the impact.

The band wasted no time, launching into their newest track, “Nefarious Tongues.” The song hit with relentless force, setting the tone for the night and proving the revamped lineup could deliver the same crushing intensity fans expect.  This concert lineup had a few deathcore bands, but I am not entirely convinced Ingested are deathcore but more a modern death metal sound.

All eyes were on new frontman Josh Davies, and he did not disappoint. His performance was commanding, unleashing guttural growls and piercing shrieks with ease. Any doubts about whether Ingested could recover from the departure of longtime vocalist Jason Evans were quickly silenced—Davies showed he has the range and ferocity to carry the band forward.  Not that we didnt see some rookie mistakes as he put his foot on a floor monitor like Bruce Dickinson might and ended up on his ass on the stage.  I saw Sean had abit of chuckle as Josh layed on his back, but the show continued on thereafter.

While the absence of a bassist was noticeable, the overall impact wasn’t diminished. The mix had clearly been adjusted to compensate, though at times it leaned a little heavy in the high end. Still, the guitars carried the weight impressively, with Sean Hynes once again delivering the razor-sharp tones that have become a hallmark of Ingested’s live sound.

Visually, the band kept things stripped down. Without elaborate props or a traveling light rig, much of the atmosphere relied on the Rickshaw Theatre’s in-house setup. The minimal production placed the focus squarely on the music itself—raw, direct, and unrelenting.  Not much different when we saw them supporting Soulfly back in 2020.

Perhaps the most disappointing aspect of the evening had little to do with the performances themselves. The Vancouver audience was sparse, with roughly 250 fans filling the Rickshaw Theatre—a modest turnout for a headlining bill of this caliber. On a Tuesday night, the lack of support was noticeable, and it underscored a broader concern: 2025 has already been a slow year for touring metal acts making stops in Vancouver, and such thin attendance does little to encourage future bookings.

For a scene that thrives on energy and community, the subdued crowd presence was a reminder that even the strongest lineups can struggle without local support.

Some other hightlights this night in the way of songs are “Invidious”, “Impending Dominance”, “Better off Dead” and another new one that I haven’t previously heard with “Alter of Flesh”.  By the end of the show, it was “1 more left” and I still hadn’t heard my favourite as of yet.  BUT I was not to be disappointed as they played “Skinned and Fucked” to end the show.

The revamped lineup proved itself convincingly. Andrew Virrueta slotted in seamlessly, locking in tight backing vocals with Sean Hynes—a dynamic rarely highlighted in past Ingested performances but now adding welcome depth to the live sound. Meanwhile, new frontman Josh Davies delivered with authority. His range, from cavernous growls to piercing shrieks, left little doubt that he has the vocal chops to carry the band into its next chapter.

With fresh material already surfacing, the prospect of a new album feels imminent. If tonight’s performance is any indication, the infusion of new blood could mark an exciting evolution for Ingested. Coupled with a strong supporting lineup, the show hit hard and left fans eager to hear how these additions will shape the band’s future recordings.