“When Two Tours Collide, The House of Blues Scores Big With This Extreme Anomaly.”

Today’s extreme mini-fest of aggression was a meld of hardcore and a metal du jour. This melting pot of genres (thrash, death metal, and hardcore) was the result of two separate tours that combined to join forces under one roof. The Enemy of God Tour (Kreator, Vader, Pro-Pain, and The Autumn Offering) amalgamated with the Strapping Young Lad headlining tour (with Misery Signals, Reflux, and The Agony Scene). By merging these two events, one could say this occurrence was stranger than fiction but in this case, it became a necessity. Due to poor ticket sales, it forced competing venue, Joe’s on Weed Street, to up their show to the House of Blues.

In spite of the strange events of the day and weirdness surrounding this gathering, it was a damn good show. To add to the peculiarity factor, immediately after Misery Signals’ set, there was a mass exodus of hardcore kids followed by an influx of old school metalheads, which entered the venue concurrently. Now is probably as good as time as any to explain Pro-Pain’s (replacement for the originally scheduled openers Death Angel) absence from the bill. The band was forced to drop off the tour as well due to a death in the family. We extend our condolences to Pro-Pain and their families in this most difficult time. The band just completed Candlelight Records’ first tour with labelmates: Entombed, Crowbar, and The Mighty Nimbus.

Lineup: Michael Williams - Vocals; Chris Emmons - Guitar; Brent Masters - Drums; Steven Kaye - Guitar; Brian Hodges – Bass

This co-headlining, energetic five-piece were on fire as opposed to the lukewarm reception that the Chicago audience gave. Coming off the heels of their successful run on this years’ Road Rage Tour with labelmates 3 Inches of Blood, Trivium, and Still Remains a mere month and a half prior, the band gave a stellar performance with their hardcore/Swedish metal infused sound. Speaking of Still Remains, Zachary Roth, the band's keyboardist and friends drove in from Grand Rapids to support their boys. Now that's loyalty!! Having said all of this, tonight’s showing or lack there of had to have been disheartening to the band nonetheless. Again, Chicago never ceases to fail living up to the tough as nails reputation that has been given to our audiences, never really giving just do to opening acts…and this is surprising why again? Back to the band, these Oklahoma boys seemed unfazed by the blank stares from the lifeless audience.

The real star of the performance was Brent McMasters, with his double bass kicks and crashing cymbalry; he is truly really one hell of a drummer and most underrated at that. The band’s newest addition, bassist Brian Hodges has seemingly settled in rather well. Mike Williams’ vocals were fiery as well as his on stage presence. Guitarists Steven Kaye and Chris Emmons aural attack was more than sweet. By the time the band ripped through their single “Scapegoat” from their forthcoming (which will be available May 24^th, via Roadrunner Records) release, The Darkest Red, the crowd started to fill in more and began to get into TAS’s performance. Unfortunately, it was a skosh to late, for there was one song left in the set. Before the conclusion of the band’s set, a pit did erupt. The Agony Scene put on a more than credible performance; too bad it went unappreciated by their audience this evening.

Setlist: Lines of Suicide; Scars of Your Disease; Habeas Corpus; Scapegoat; Prey; We Bury Our Dead At Dawn.

Click here for interview with Steven Kaye

here for live photos of the band during Road Rage

Lineup: Kyle Johnson - Bass; Jesse Zaraska - Vocals; Ryan Morgan - Guitar; Branden Morgan - Drums; Stuart Ross - Guitar

In support of their 2004 Ferret Records release, Of Malice and the Magnum Heart, (of which was produced by one Devin Townsend of Strapping Young Lad himself), Misery Signals tore it up; they hammered the crowd! The band opened in a good time slot as the venue started to fill up as the audience wanted to make sure they had a good spot for the next band up, Vader. Vocalist Jesse Zaraska managed to get the crowd involved in their twenty-five minute set very early on. Ensnaring his audience displaying top-notch frontman skills, his vocals were smooth like a chocolate covered double-edged sword, sweet and sharp! You could definitely tell the band was happy to be there; it showed through their performance. The audience was obviously happy to see them too, minor pit action did occur.

Speaking of sharp, guitarists Ryan Morgan and Stuart Ross’ melodious and savage riffs were an immense treat to the ears. Rhythm section Branden Morgan and bassist Kyle Johnson drove the point home. The arrangement of their tunes entrances you with melody and pummeling beats. It was one hell of a showing; Misery Signals properly warmed the crowd for their beloved Vader. Who knew misery could be so satiating!

Setlist: A Victim, A Target; Summary of What I Am; Murder; World And Dreams; The Stinging Rain; The Year Summer Ended In June.

Click here for interview with Jesse Zaraska & Stuart Ross

Lineup: Piotr 'Peter' Wiwczarek - Vocals, Guitar; Maurycy 'Mauser' Stefanowicz – Guitar; Marcin 'Novy' Nowak – Bass; Darek 'Daray' Brzozowski - Drums

The beast (also the name of was their latest release) definitely unleashed this evening by one of Metal Blade’s finest acts, Polish metal masters Vader. Their cult following precedes them as the band masterfully yet magickally cast their spell onto their minion. This band has warmed the cuckolds of a many heart since forming in 1986. They are also the first band from the Iron Curtain to sign a deal with their third demo Morbid Reich to a label, in 1990…thus thrilling audiences worldwide ever since. Their sound is indigenous to them, a luxury they possess from honing their skills after years of practice.

Tonight they were devastatingly fast, furious, and abrasive! This was our first encounter with the band and a pleasure it was. The venue was filled to capacity by the time Vader took the stage. Before the band stormed the stage, the crowd chanted, “Vader, Vader, Vader…”. There was a strong Polish presence (of course, Chicago has one of the highest populations outside of Poland…how cool is that?). Many fans in the audience brandished Behemoth and Vader tees and the flags (Poland’s) were flying high in the pit. As soon as Vader hit the stage, the crowd went mad! Vocalist/guitarist, Peter Wiwczarek immediately addressed the crowd in Polish…now for those of us that do not speak the language, we were left out of the loop.

The intense level of excitement reached a fevered pitch by the second song. The rhythm section, bassist Novy (ex-Behemoth) and Daray Brzozowski on drums sound was punishing and sinfully rich. The dual assault from guitarists Wiwczarek and Mauser Stefanowiz senselessly battered the onlookers. No on to the vocals from Wiwczarek, not only were they crystal clear but caused spine shivering boot quaking. It was definitely a superior sound and light night for the guys at the HOB. You could every distinct instrument as well as the lights adding to the experience. It was delight to the auditory senses. Speaking of aural delights, the band concluded their set with a classic Slayer cover, “Raining Blood”.

Vader took no prisoners; there was not one soul in the house without a horn extended to the band. This band does not descend upon our shores often, however whenever they do, you had better catch them while you can…because just like that…poof, they’ll be gone and you should be flogged for missing their majesty!

Partial setlist (not in order): Carnal; Sothis; Silent Empire; Dark Transmission; Epitaph; Decapitated Saints; Raining Blood.

Click here for more photos of the band during their headlining tour

Lineup: Devin Townsend – Vocals; Byron Stroud – Bass; Jed Simon – Guitar; Gene Hoglan – Drums; Will Campagna – Live Keyboards 

Canada’s extreme metallers Strapping Young Lad are blessed with a mad scientist of sorts; they have one of the most colorful frontmen in metal today, Devin Townsend (a.k.a. Hevy Devy). Not only is this man utterly entertaining but insanely talented as well. More than credible guitarist/vocalist, he is also a highly sought after master producer working with bands like Soilwork, Lamb of God, Misery Signals, Darkest Hour…not to mention his own band(s). To add to his mounting credits, this genius perfected the infamous “Wall-of-Sound” effect too. Whew, that was a mouthful.

As far as tonight’s masterpiece, the rambunctious crowd impatiently awaited the arrival of SYL. Like a well-planned attack, Strapping maimed, annihilated, and left no unsatisfied witnesses! Mr. Townsend led off tonight’s with, “Come on you fucks, you know my line… get down there...” the audience finished Devin’s sentence in unison, “…and suck my buddy’s cock!” Their set officially commenced, the crowd went ballistic during “Imperial”, the rapacious level of energy never ceased. Even though he did provide the audience with a couple of entertaining anecdotes, Townsend wasn’t up to his usual outlandish over-the-top antics, as it turns out he was battling a nasty cold but despite Devin was simply outstanding even though his voice did crack a couple of times as it was most noticeable during “Love”. After the conclusion of “Shine”, Commander Townsend addressed the crowd, “We have two more songs, then it’s Kreator Ladies and Germs”! He went on to explain Pro-Pain’s disappearance from the bill. He then cracked a joke about Kreator being German, Vader Polish and that Strapping and TAO being the only two English-speaking bands on the bill.

Renowned drummer Gene Hoglan (Dark Angel, ex-Death, ex-Testament, ex-Old Man's Child…) was magnificent along with fellow rhythm-sectioner, bassist Byron Stroud (Fear Factory). The combined guitar wizardry betwixt Townsend and Jed Simon was astounding. On the outro, Townsend bellowed, “Then there was a storm…a big cloud of shit!” The crowd roared. He continued, “Thank you Chicago for being so cool, this is “Shitstorm”!” Strapping Young Lad never fails to entertain; they definitely got the crowd worked up for our evening’s closer, Kreator.

Setlist: Imperial; Skeksis; Velvet Kevorkian; All Hail the New Flesh; In the Rainy Season; Love, Relentless; Shine; Aftermath; Shitstorm.

Click here for interview with Devin Townsend

Lineup: Miland "Mille" Petrozza – Guitars, Vocals; Sami Yli-Sirniö – Guitars; Christian Giesler – Bass; Jürgen "Ventor" Reil – Drums, Vocals

By the time legendary German thrashers Kreator took the stage, the crowd was in a complete frenzy from Strapping Young Lad’s rousing performance. Once name Tormentor, this band have been rippin’ it up since their 1985 release, Endless Pain. For some strange reason Kreator has somehow managed to remain underneath the commercial success radar, however twenty plus years after the band’s inception, they boldly grace Chicago with their eminent presence. I mean how amazing is this? You could tell the band was more than happy to be performing for their adoring fans as well best told by the wide smiles on the faces of each member. This may not be metal, but it was sure nice to see from the classy old schoolers!

The crowd really lost it with the band kicking off the set with the title track from their latest offering “Enemy of God” as well as the name of the tour! The band then segued into “Impossible Brutality”. According to the rumor mill, guitarist/vocalist Mille Petrozza introed the next selection “Pleasure To Kill” relatively the same way nightly on this tour. This evening he personalized his shtick a bit, “The Creator has returned and asked if Chicago was ready to kill each other? This is “Pleasure to Kill”!” The crowd went wild as the pit of death resurrected itself turning into an all out cyclone, horns and fists began to fly almost to a riotous pitch. 

Not that three is a fair assessment of the entire ninety-minute set, but from what we could hear, the band just started to heat up. The light show reigned supreme, too bad we were not able to stick around for the entire set. Nevertheless, before our departure, we procured the setlist. Unfortunately folks, this is where the ride ends. Erika and I were worn-out from the long evening. Hate to leave you hanging, however fucking life sucks, don’t it! At least you have pictures, right? We didn’t completely leave you in the lurch! Here’s to hoping it will not take another 10+ years for the band to cross the Atlantic Ocean and grace our shores once again.

Setlist: Enemy of God; Impossible Brutality; Pleasure to Kill; Phobia; People of the Lie; Suicide Terrorist; World Anarchy; All of the Same Blood; Choir of the Damned; Terrible Certainty; Reconquering the Throne; Riot of Violence; Voices of the Dead; Violent Revolution; ***** Encore***** Flag of Hate; Tormentor.