Macabre - Reggies, Chicago, IL 12/22/18 (words and images by Mark Kadzielawa)

Holiday of Horror is a yearly show that takes place around the Christmas time.  This happened to be its 21st edition, and it turned out to be a completely sold out show.  The show is based around the annual Macabre concerts, and a long list of  changing local acts.  It's a great place to be seen, or simply to re-launch your career again.

Over the years, Holiday of Horror, had become something more than just an annual concert by Macabre.  It's a place where friends meet, socialize, and are happy to see each other.  And it's mostly friends you don't see for a while, so it's great to catch up, have fun, and enjoy a great show!

Macabre always puts on a great show.  They are one of a kind.  There isn't anything like Macabre anywhere else in the world, but then gain there really isn't anything like Chicago and its scene anywhere else in the world!  The band took the stage by storm and delivered its dose of murder metal in many acts.  The trio was fun and enigmatic to watch.  They were enjoying themselves and so was the audience.  A truly a feat of friends on both sides.

The band was extremely tight.  All three members of Macabre are extremely proficient in their instruments, and it's a pure joy to watch them perform with such attention to detail at an enormous speed.  For most of the time, Macabre gets a lot of recognition for its grim image, but they are fabulous virtuosos at their craft.  The show was also enhanced by a lot of appearances by the very characters they sing about to add to the overall mystique.

Macabre managed to use burlesque to display their grotesque, but once again, they left everyone speechless.  This was an amazing evening, and after 21 years of Holiday of Horror shows this is now a Chicago metal tradition.  Big thanks to the members of Macabre, supporting bands, and to Rodney Pawlak (Macabre's animated manager) for finding the will, persevering, and going on with the show!  And of course to all the people who decide to show up years after year to make this such a great and anticipated event.  Thumbs up to you all!!!

And if that wasn't enough, the after show included a special performance from Dave Hornyak and his Motorhead tribute band, and they smoked too!!!  Things simply couldn't get any better!!!


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Greta Van Fleet - Aragon Ballroom, Chicago, IL 12/14/18 (words and images by Mark Kadzielawa)

Great Van Fleet is a very exciting new band with a great feel for classic rock sound.  Yes, many compare this young band to Led Zeppelin, but at the end of the day it all comes down to music and the songs.  Greta Van Fleet has great songs, and the public is clearly responding to that.  Before you decide to slap a label, listen with clear mind, and then form your own opinion.  This happened to be one of the three nights the band sold out at the Aragon Ballroom.  They must be doing something right in order to do that, and they certainly are.

The band took the stage with a fury opening with Brave New World off the newly released Anthem of The Peaceful Army.  And it just got progressively better with each track.  Vocalist, Joshua Kiszka, felt like he's spent a lifetime on stage.  He was nailing every note at ease, and looked like he really enjoyed himself.  As was the rest of the band.  Great Van Fleet was truly having great time.  They looked hungry, excited, and simply went for it.  The band took chances with every track, improvising, and having fun with the music.

Guitarist, Jacob Kiszka, approached his instrument as if it was part of him.  He meant business from the moment he stepped on the stage.  Jacob is certainly a very intense player, and he knows how to channel electricity on stage.  The rhythm section, Samuel Kiszka and Daniel Wagner provided a solid backdrop for Jacob and Joshua to shine.  And they deserve as much credit.

As a whole band, Greta Van Fleet showed incredible amount of spirit and excitement of stage.  There was a lot of joy among the players, and it spilled onto the audience.  It was great to see a band so much into what they are doing.  It's been a while since I was excited about any new music lately, but Greta Van Fleet may just be the band that will take classic rock into the new century.

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