Formed in 2014 in Melbourne, Florida, Bodysnatcher has been making waves in the heavy-metal scene since 2014. Their music flourishes with darkness, brutality, and aggression–despite also being some of the nicest guys in the industry–with a furious, extreme sound that combines crushing breakdowns with eerie ambience and grisly grooves. 

The band currently features Chris Whited (King Conquer, 1776 Recordings) as percussionist and producer alongside Kyle Carter (Beacons) and Kyle Shope (Float Face Down) on guitar and bass respectively, and Kyle Medina as lead vocalist. 

Since 2022, Bodysnatcher have tirelessly toured across the country with a handful of notable names, like Hatebreed, Dying Fetus, and We Came as Romans, and are currently joining Fit For An Autopsy on the US leg of their “The Nothing That Is” tour.” 

Supporting Fit For An Autopsy and Bodysnatcher is Distant, Sylosis, and Judiciary–three more heavy-metal bands that fit the bill perfectly. 

I caught the end of Judiciary and they did a wonderful job getting the crowd excited for a rowdy night. Toward the end of the set, lead singer Jake Collinson described the show as the band’s “homecoming party” since they’ll be moving from Texas to New York City soon. The crowd remained open throughout their entire set, letting through dancing fans who two-stepped and did the worm (yes, really) until the very last song. 

Distant and Sylosis, respectively, performed next and by this point, the venue began to fill with metalheads from all over the tristate area. By the time Bodysnatcher took the stage, surfers were flying over the barricade every second, a giant mosh pit remained open in the back, and fans headbanged in sync. Bodysnatcher’s performance was filled with energy and heaviness, proving true to their roots. Their lighting was amazing, filled with bright colors, awesome effects, and spotlights to help the crowd see each individual member of the band. 

The second they left the stage, fans booked it downstairs to the merch table to support the band and get a chance to say hi to them. Kyle Medina hung around the merch area through the end of the night, making conversation with anyone and everyone.  

Finally, Fit For An Autopsy took the stage and finished the show vibrantly. The crowd was alive with energy, jumping up and down so hard that the walls of Irving Plaza shook. My friend Ben caught the band after the show and lead vocalist Joe Badolato shared how grateful he was that people came out to see them perform, especially since he’s not the original singer of the band. 

As I walked away from the venue, the street was alive with the concert inside. A few metal fans who didn’t make it into the show sat on the curb to listen to their favorite bands and the notorious screeches and scathing riffs carried all the way down the road. 

Check out the rest of the tour here.