Watch Berklee Ensemble Perform NECROPHAGIST's Epitaph In Full At Halloween Concert

Necrophagist's legendary 2004 technical death metal album Epitaph received a rare full-album live performance courtesy of the Berklee Necrophagist-directed study ensemble on October 31, 2025, at Oliver Colvin Recital Hall.

The ensemble performed the album front to back, faithfully recreating one of the most influential and technically demanding records in extreme metal history. The performance was part of Berklee's directed study program and showcased both precision musicianship and deep reverence for Necrophagist's legacy. The full ensemble is:

• Guitar / Vocals: Thomas Frazier
• Guitar: Matt Schneider
• Guitar: Jesse Chalif
• Bass: Joe Cooper
• Drums: Erik Edmondson

Following the release of Epitaph, Necrophagist began work in 2008 on what was intended to be their third full-length album, this time with drummer Romain Goulon. Rumored working titles included The Path To Naught and Death To The Faithful. Guitarist and band founder Muhammed Suiçmez confirmed plans to use seven-string guitars, including a custom Ibanez Xiphos with 27 frets. Guitarist Sami Raatikainen also performed live with Ibanez seven-string RG models.

Despite years of speculation, progress on the album remained unclear. On September 11, 2013, Goulon stated that Necrophagist were still active and attempting to record, though no release timeline was provided. That hope was ultimately extinguished on April 4, 2016, when Goulon publicly confirmed the band's dissolution, writing: "We're looking for a coffin to mourn the death."

Since then, Epitaph has only grown in stature, widely regarded as one of the most important technical death metal albums ever recorded.