Sunday, November 3, 2024

Heavy Chicago II – Day 2 – Avondale Music Hall, Chicago, Illinois 11/2/24 (words and images by Mark Kadzielawa)


Heavy Chicago II continued with another batch of exciting bands!  Once again, it was a very eclectic mix with different metal/hardcore genres crossing paths.  The audience had a lot of choices presented here.  They could see the bands they initially like and follow, but also be exposed to something completely new.  Heavy Chicago offers a great experience when it comes to covering a wide spectrum of underground bands.


Masonic Wave was a very strong starter, and got things going instantly.  It’s a new Chicago band that includes Bruce Lamont of Yakuza.  Lamont is a very charismatic vocalist, who is quite unpredictable on stage.  It makes him a very entertaining live performer to watch.  The band presented songs from their debut album, and managed to generate interest from the fans and bands alike.  Masonic Wave made a very strong impression with their very unusual approach, and musical bravery.


Usurper removed the light out of the venue, and bestowed instant darkness upon the unexpecting crowd.  Things got very heavy with Usurper unleashing one hellish track after another.  They were technically superb, a state of the art black/thrash metal band!  Usurper’s show caused some serious headbanging, and the horns were flying left and right.  Rick Scythe’s hectic riffing invoked total chaos, and his custom-made guitar was something to look at too.  Joe Schaeffer’s drumming is just pure joy to watch.  He takes it to a whole other level, it’s like he become one with his drum set.  Great bottom end from Scott Maelstrom, and fantastic vocal delivery from Dan Lawson!  Usurper took no prisoners this evening!


The Crosses were the only band who played the festival last year, and it was great to see them again!  The band includes vocalist, Dan Kubinski, of Die Kreuzen.  Their set was mostly comprised of Die Kreuzen tracks, and it was just incredible!  Kubinski becomes such a madman on stage.  His physical approach is spectacular, and as crazy as he gets, he never misses a single line.  It’s great to hear these songs again, and the live delivery is one of a kind.  The Crosses are truly fantastic band with means to carry out their own material as well as Die Kreuzen songs.  Once again, this showcase got a strong attention from other band members performing this evening.  Bring Kubinski and The Crosses back anytime!



Earthburner came down like freight train, and would not stop for anyone, they destroyed anything visible on the horizon, including the horizon!  This band includes Jeremy Wagner, and Mike Miczek from Broken Hope.  The group is completed by vocalist Devin Swank, and bassist, Tyler Affinito, who also happens to be Wagner’s stepson.  Earthburner played like a well-oiled machine, crushing and uncompromising in every step of the way.  Playing tracks from its debut, Permament Down, record, but also including a Broken Hope track in their set.  Earthburner didn’t just deliver a show, it was a battle, and they definitely left the audience punched up and bruised!



Legions of Doom is a new group combined from the former members of Trouble, The Skull, St. Vitus, and C.O.C. This isn’t just a band, it’s a celebration of music, passion, and life.  There is no doubt these guys simply love the music they play, and have an amazing time doing it.  Their concert showed different kind of heaviness from Earthburner or Usurper, equally as effective but on a completely different path.  There were moments there where things got absolutely spiritual, and you simply wanted to be on the same wavelength as the band.  Legions of Doom, include two vocalist, Karl Agell, and Scott Reagers.  It’s a fantastic mix of voices, deliveries, and styles.  Their show was incredibly balancing, and scheduled just at a perfect time.



Jasta band speed things up significantly, and pretty much kept their foot on the gas pedal throughout the entire show.  It was fast, catchy, and to the point.  Jamey Jasta is an incredible frontman who knows how to operate the crowd.  On top of it, the band was clearly having a great time on stage.  They were very well rehearsed, and their show was just pure electric energy.  Jasta band provided an incredible contrast to all other bands that came before them.  Their energy was certainly infectious!



Earth Crisis was the final band of the evening!  From the start, it was a very energetic dose of metallic hardcore.  The audience was quite pumped for Earth Crisis, and there were many that were singing every track with the band.  Earth Crisis was spreading a very positive message, and their straight-edge ideology.  They were convincing, and played their hearts out.  Even at this late hour, the room was jumping, as was the band on stage.  They were energetic, moved quickly, if not an easy task to capture if you were taking photos.  Great set to close the second night, if you weren't there, you wished you were....

Mark Kadzielawa

GALLERY

MASONIC WAVE










USURPER




































THE CROSSES
















EARTHBURNER















LEGIONS OF DOOM




























JASTA

















EARTH CRISIS
















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