A hush of anticipation enveloped the crowd as a symphonic wave of sound crept up the walls of MGM Music Hall at Fenway. All eyes fell on the towering black stage curtain as the lights dimmed to darkness. “Lamb of God,” it read — menacing and monumental. As the music and tension swelled to a thrilling climax, the curtain dropped as the stage exploded into light and sound. Spotlights danced as the groove metal legends began their performance.

Hailing from Richmond, Virginia and formed in 1994, Lamb of God have long been a staple for any listener of heavy metal music, especially those with an affinity for groove metal, an innovative subgenre inspired by thrash and heavy syncopated riffs — creating that infectious groovy feel.

On April 26 at MGM, the band played the final headlining show of their “Into Oblivion Tour: North America 2026,” embodying their most recent album of the same name, released on March 13. Concluding six weeks on the road, they played tracks both old and new in a carefully curated set that showcased their evolution as a band, highlighting what fans love about their music. Hint: It’s all in the groove.

Supporting the metal heavyweights were Ohio death metal heavy-hitters Sanguisugabogg, New Jersey deathcore masters Fit For An Autopsy and Texas hardcore kings Kublai Khan TX — all of which could easily headline their own tours. The line-up was stacked and did not disappoint.

Sanguisugabogg kicked off the night with their crushing percussive riffs and growling vocals, followed by Fit For An Autopsy, who upped the intensity with their breakdown-laden intensity — breakdowns being heavy, slowed rhythmic sections, where palm-muted guitar chugs accompany a simplified cymbal-snare drum beat. Next were Kublai Khan TX, who delivered yet more breakdowns, with an emphasis on pinch harmonics (high-pitched guitar ‘squeals.’) By the time Lamb of God took to the stage, the crowd was more than ready to party.

They kicked off the set with the in-your-face aggression of “Ruin,” immediately reminding the crowd why they came, as the mosh pit exploded into action. Push pits, where bodies fly into each other in a chaotic scramble, and circle pits, where moshers run in a blood-rushing stream of traffic, ruled the night. Crowd-surfers of all shapes, sizes, and ages were also frequently seen, riding over a sea of waving hands.

The band played a 15-song set, featuring three from the new album: “Into Oblivion,” “Parasocial Christ,” and “Sepsis,” all of which were enthusiastically received. The sixth song of the set, “Grace,” featured a pulsating guitar-solo introduction, and the following song, “Desolation,” was introduced by a tasteful drum solo which oozed charisma, commanded expertly by drummer Art Cruz, as he showcased a versatile skillset to an enraptured audience.

Vocalist Randy Blythe, now aged 55, commanded the stage like a frontman half his age, strutting and stomping around with fervor. His harsh, domineering voice was similarly in peak condition, highlighting the wide vocal range that has fronted the band for over 30 years now. Mean, guttural lows were complemented by screeching highs which pierced through the room. His spoken vocals, used in a number of songs, added a thrilling ghostliness to the performance, which was concluded by fan-favorite “Redneck” and a circle pit that drew in a horde of people.

The lighting was also on point, with each song being accompanied by unique graphics on the screens towering behind the band. A flaming inferno, a searching eye, and a land of skulls and bones were just a few of the figures that were featured. The imagery supported their respective songs without being intrusive or overshadowing the band, who had a firm grip on the audience, swaying from front to back.

At the end of the night, Blythe wished the audience a heartfelt thanks and safe journey home, reflecting the sense of community among heavy metal listeners. When met with the cool spring breeze of the city upon departing the venue, it was easy to realize that Lamb of God did exactly what they said they were going to do: take the audience into oblivion, and beyond.

—Staff writer Rowan A.G. Whitworth can be reached at [email protected].