A lot can happen in the mosh pit. Fans are subject to shoving, slamming, windmills, and other, usually good-natured horseplay. Recently, a couple added “getting married” to pit activities during a metal show in Pittsburgh.
As reported by Stereogum and other music news outlets, Christopher and Erica Curtis exchanged vows in the pit at Stage AE on April 22 as fellow metal fans circled them. The ceremony happened during the set of death metal band Cannibal Corpse, who was performing on a bill with Meshuggah and Carcass.
“Honestly, we were tired of trying to plan a wedding that ended up being about everything else. Not to mention the cost,” Erica tells Pittsburgh City Paper. “We had thought about the [justice of the peace] and that didn’t quite sit well with us. It just wasn’t our style. Once this tour was announced the first thought I had was to say our vows in the pit. Carcass, Cannibal Corpse, and Meshuggah … it’s an epic lineup! Three of our favorite bands.”
She adds that when she mentioned it to Christopher, he “responded ‘fuck yea'” and started a Facebook event titled “Corrupted Nuptials” to announce the knot-tying.
The choice to marry at a Cannibal Corpse show seems natural for the couple, who have been together since December 2020. “The first song I had listened to was ‘Hammer Smashed Face.’ Been hooked ever since!” Christopher, who has been a fan since of the band since was 16 years old, tells City Paper.
The couple says a musician friend was even able to convince Cannibal Corpse bassist, Alex Webster, to meet them and sign their marriage certificate.
Coordinating such a an event in the midst of controlled chaos required some help from friends, whom Erica says “told everyone in the direct area of where we were on what was about to happen.”
“They surrounded us, protecting us from the pit,” says Erica. “As soon as we notified them of the plan, they went as far out as reaching out to the venue and bands to make them aware or at least try to get their attention. Our good friend Michael ‘Doc’ Daugherty wrote the nuptials that could not have been more perfect! We had only expected a quick ‘do you and do you’ and then get pulverized in the pit!”
Erica says the publicity they received for the stunt has been “completely overwhelming.”
“We never in a million years thought it would get the attention it has,” she says. “We honestly just wanted something that is ‘us’ and fun! Heavy metal music is at the core of who we are.”
Christopher adds, “The support and generosity from friends and family to the venue itself it has just been epic! To be fans of Loudwire, Metal Injection, and even Revolver for heavy metal news and then to see them put articles out on our event was wild!”
This article appears in Apr 23-29, 2025.
