In January, a Grindcore high mass took place in Gentbrugge, The Czech gore grind unit Gutalax visited Belgium on tour accompanied by Birdflesh and Brutal Sphincter. The local support band was Volière. Due to unforeseen circumstances, I missed the performance of the first band Volière.

Brutal Sphincter is a Belgian goregrind band known for their intense live performances and politically charged, satirical lyrics. Their concerts are characterized by high energy, heavy bass lines, and rapid blast beats, often accompanied by crowd surfing and moshing. They have performed at major European festivals such as Hellfest and Alcatraz. The band, known for their mix of humor, political satire, and intense grindcore, lived up to expectations with a show that was both deafening and hilarious. Brutal Sphincter proved once again why they are one of the most talked-about and energetic live acts in the grindcore scene. It was a perfect balance of aggression, humor and social criticism, all wrapped up in a whirlwind of chaos.

Birdflesh is a Swedish grindcore band known for their chaotic and energetic performances. Birdflesh is everything a grindcore band should be — loud, chaotic, and full of energy. But it’s their ability to inject humor and absurdity into their set that elevates them from just another blastbeat-heavy band to something truly unique. They’re not just playing music; they’re creating an experience that leaves you grinning, covered in sweat, and utterly exhausted.

When it comes to a band that can deliver a ferocious, gut-wrenching live show packed with both intensity and a twisted sense of humor, Gutalax is second to none. Known for their over-the-top grindcore and their unapologetic use of scatological themes, the Czech deathgrind act tore through their set, leaving the crowd in a frenzy of moshing, laughter, and pure chaos. There’s also the signature Gutalax humor, which permeated every moment of the show. With their over-the-top lyrics about bodily functions, excrement, and the grotesque, they bring a level of absurdity to grindcore that feels oddly charming. Between songs, they cracked jokes and poked fun at the seriousness of the grindcore scene, keeping the vibe light and absurd. It was grindcore with a sense of humor — and let’s face it, after all the blasting and gnarly growls, a little bit of humor was exactly what the crowd needed. The crowd absolutely loved it. The pit was a whirlwind of activity — from wall-of-death segments to crowdsurfing and moshing. Gutalax fans are some of the most dedicated and wildest in the scene, and it showed during this performance. By the end of the set, the audience was a sweaty, chaotic mess, and Gutalax walked off stage leaving nothing but destruction and a trail of laughter behind.