Fans of extreme metal will find plenty to enjoy in Paris. Every year, the city hosts numerous bands that pay tribute to heavy music. Coming up soon, names like Saxon, Iron Maiden, Machine Head, System of A Down, Guns N' Roses, and Behemoth are scheduled to perform in the City of Light. But in the meantime, metalheads gathered this Tuesday, March 24, 2026 for a triple-bill concert that truly shook the Zénith de La Villette. The lineup included the renowned German thrash band Kreator, the British death metal outfit Carcass, and the Californian act—once a member of Metallica's Kirk Hammett—Exodus. A fourth band, Nails (which we sadly missed), also featured in this Parisian night.
We arrive onsite just in time for the start of Exodus at 7:10 PM. The stage design is straightforward, featuring a simple backdrop emblazoned with "Goliath", their 13th and final studio album. Despite the minimalistic setup, the five members of the Californian band quickly get the Paris Zenith hall vibrating. Their powerful thrash metal tracks immediately spark a first circle pit, followed by many more as the show progresses. The crowd is already bubbling with energy, chanting Exodus repeatedly as the set comes to an end.
It must be said that Rob Dukes, who fronted Exodus from 2005 to 2014 and has reunited with his bandmates since 2025, displayed an impressive vocal power. Very comfortable on stage, Rob Dukes even went as far as strumming Gary Holt’s guitar strings for several seconds. The unbreakable bond between Exodus and their audience was unmistakably evident this Tuesday night, a joy to see and hear. Regarding the setlist, Exodus didn’t shy away from playing two tracks from their latest album but also, and most importantly, several classic hits—including the iconic "The Toxic Waltz", a song dating back to 1989!
Next up is Carcass! The British band hits the stage at the Zenith at 8:15 PM. Different vibe, another style. Dressed in a white shirt and sporting shorter hair, singer and bassist Jeff Walker stands out somewhat from the typical metal scene. Interactions with the audience are also more limited. We might have appreciated a bit more rapport between the band and the fans. But in the end, their performance feels well-polished, and the Liverpool quartet’s energy definitely delivers. Once again, the crowd in the pit goes wild, moshing and slam-dancing, as Jeff Walker’s distinctive voice echoes through La Villette’s Zenith. Even though the sound quality wasn’t perfect, we were hooked from start to finish!
Just before 9:30 p.m., the opening chords of Iron Maiden's "Run to the Hills" echo through the venue, signaling the imminent arrival of Kreator on stage. The energy surges immediately. Then, the lights go out. On a large white curtain, footage of combat, violence, and rebellion from antiquity is projected, while the haunting sounds of P.F. Sloan's "Eve of Destruction" fill the air. After just over three minutes, the curtain drops to reveal the four members of Kreator, showcased amidst an elaborate and meticulously crafted stage setup. Two enormous inflatable demons flank the stage, towering imposingly. Jürgen Reil’s drum kit is elevated, positioned between a pair of colossal horns and a smoking, red-eyed demon head. Scattered around are decapitated zombie heads and other undead remains on the drums and at the microphone stands of Mille Petrozza, Frédéric Leclercq, and Sami Yli-Sirniö. The dark, gory universe that is the signature of Kreator is alive and well on this Tuesday night in Paris!
Kreator wastes no time launching into a searing set, with flames bursting from the front of the stage, Co2 machines, and confetti jets filling the air, as the powerful "Seven Serpents" echoes through the venue. This track is taken from their latest album, "Krushers of the World." During "Enemy of God," the crowd executes an impressive wall of death, prompted by Mille Petrozza. As the founder and sole original member standing alongside drummer Jürgen Reil, Mille Petrozza maintains a palpable connection with the Parisian audience throughout the set. Notably, since 2019, the band has included French bassist and guitarist Frédéric Leclercq, known for his work with British power metal giants DragonForce and for his involvement in Sinsaenum.
On stage, the atmosphere is filled with good cheer, and the energy of the four members remains as intense as the minutes pass by. They deliver powerful performances with forceful tracks, including recent releases like "Satanic Anarchy", "Loyal to the Grave", and "Krushers of the World", alongside classic staples such as "Endless Pain", "Enemy of God", and the closing tune "Pleasure to Kill".
The devilish imagery propagated by Kreator continued throughout their nearly 90-minute set, featuring two masked monsters dressed as monks wielding torches, and even when Mille Petrozza stormed the stage clad in a Dracula cape.
Although Mille Petrozza occasionally stumbled with pitch issues, Kreator delivered an electrifying performance, thanks in part to their meticulously crafted stage setup and a powerhouse setlist. With only four tracks from their latest album played this Tuesday night, fans were eager for more new material; however, given their extensive discography—16 albums released since 1985—it's no surprise that not everyone could get all the fresh songs they hoped for.
