Joliet, Illinois, became ground zero for an unforgettable thrash metal onslaught, with a lineup that both brought the venue to life, and took the breath away from fans. The night kicked off with Dead Heat, who set the tone swimmingly, bringing a next level amount of heavy to the show. There simply was no warming up for this event.
Dead Heat hit the stage first, and it was clear they brought that Oxnard, California, heat with them. Wasting no time, moshers and crowd surfers were just as present and upfront as this band. Next up was Candy, but with an ironic name the only thing sweet they brought to the table were violent vocals, and fast double bass riffs. Candy blends hardcore and classic punk together, giving fans and fellow musicians a euphoric out of body moment. Majority of their songs were rapid fire and breathless.
When Havok took the stage, the intensity was dialed to an ungodly level. The razor sharp vocals, tight guitar harmonies, and fan interaction transformed the venue into a war zone. Havok brought an all natural, 100% classic thrash fury and a perfect performance to this very grateful group of fans. The attitude that came from the unapologetic tone, and screaming fans left bystanders outside the venue in question of the room’s safety. Havok is the perfect example of a band who knew their lane, and perfected their craft.
The night truly reached its peak when Exodus stormed the stage. As one of the defining bands of the thrash metal scene, Exodus did not disappoint. The sold-out crowd was already primed for mayhem, and the band delivered with their iconic songs with a stage presence that was nothing short of electric. Fans roared along to every single song and melody. There were more crowd surfers than I’ve ever seen, with bodies flying over the barricade nonstop. The atmosphere was pure chaos in the best possible way.
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