NEQUIENT
NEQUIENT Grinding metallic hardcore chaos – Crust / dbeat / hardcore / punk from Chicago https://nequient.bandcamp.com/ BLACK CROSS HOTEL Black Cross Hotel’s brand of industrial-strength post-punk stands firmly on sweat-soaked leather and concrete floors. The five-piece’s aesthetic effortlessly blends raw aggression with nuanced atmospheric layers, drawing influences from the golden days of neon, mighty riffs, and “trax made of wax.” ebm / goth / horror / industrial from Chicago https://blackcrosshotel.bandcamp.com/ EPIMELIDES We draw in inspiration from gothic, melodic death, symphonic, doom and industrial music https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567600520062 MOON PIGEONS Goth Rock / Alt / Dark Wave band from Omaha https://www.instagram.com/moonpigeonsomaha/
WEEDEATER
The Koffin Kats
The Koffin Kats Koffin Kats are a psychobilly trio from Detroit, Michigan. Fusing the swing of classic rockabilly with the hot-wired energy and ghoulish imagery of Misfits, this band proves that high-octane psychobilly is still alive and kicking in the American midwest. Koffin Kats were formed in 2003 by lead singer and upright bassist Vic Victor and guitarist/vocalist Tommy Koffin, who had been part of the Motor City punk scene for some time before trying their hands at the doom-struck twang of their punk-rockabilly fusion. The trio released their first album, simply titled “Koffin Kats”, in 2004, and hit the road in support of the record. Since then, the Koffin Kats have maintained a busy tour schedule, frequently gigging on the West Coast as well as closer to home, and have released 10 full length albums and 2 EP’s, the latest of which was 2024’s “Higher Lows”. https://www.facebook.com/koffinkats/ The Rumours – (rock n roll / punk rock from Waterloo, IA) https://therumours.bandcamp.com/ Carrie Nation & the Speakeasy – (dark-psychedelic-speedfolk band from Wichita, KS) https://carrienationandthespeakeasy.bandcamp.com/
Chasing Chance
In January 2019, two Omaha-based bands crumbled. In the vacuum that followed, two members of those fallen bands, John Faist (drums) and Parker Cundall (vocals/energy), reached out to Drake Rader (left guitar) with a goal: create a 5-piece band that simultaneously could be played on radio stations around the world and would not compromise the quality of music each of the members wanted. Their collective vision was one of thousands of fans screaming their lyrics back at them. Thus, Chasing Chance was born. Each of the members wanted so badly for this to be a reality that they patiently wrote music for the entire year while waiting for the right band members to join their cause. As they built up enough material for their first EP, they found time and again that potential band members did not share their commitment – did not share their energy – did not share their vision on what their music should be. After trying out several guitarists, frustration began to set in and they considered a number of paths forward to include biting the bullet and keeping Drake alone on guitar. Enter Robert Klingsporn (right guitar). Having just left a musical project into which he had poured 4 years of his life, he was hesitant to begin anew with band mates that he did not trust. He decided to try out on a whim and reached out to John, with whom he had played shows in previous musical ventures. After seeing the material Chasing Chance had written and after seeing the (frankly) alarming amount of commitment they had, he decided that this was a project worth investing in, and joined on as the second guitarist. The band still lacked a dedicated bassist, though, and despite the band championing to all their musician friends, they found it difficult to find one with both skill and commitment. Enter Pat Austin: Pat is a seasoned musician who was out astray looking for the right fit for such an awesome talent. Pat was introduced to the band when he saw Chasing Chance play their first show. Pat was a later addition, added to the line up after Chasing Chance’s first public outing. CC had a fill in bassist (good friend to the band, Gabriel Prado), but was still looking for someone to fill the position permanently. Pat reached out the band, auditioned, became the best member of the band…the rest is history. Characterized by a sonic hurricane of powerful, pop-punk influenced guitar and drums, Chasing Chance’s music is tempered by catchy vocal melodies that leave listeners humming the songs for days afterwards. One thing is for sure: their music burns with an unerring and infectious passion that will leave you begging for more. Chasing Chance is a band about energy; the band members thrive on feeling music — on thundering drums, chanting vocals, and bass so heavy it shakes your chest. Live shows should be a perfect and elegant performance, not a rote presentation of what you hear on the radio. What better place to experience that with us than at a gig?
Snooze
Snooze: happy heavy mathy band from Chicago Spotify | Instagram | Facebook
Crazy & the Brains
Crazy & the Brains is an American punk band. The band was originally Chrisoph Jesus’ solo project at The Sidewalk Cafe in New York, New York in 2013 (though most of the members are originally from Bayonne, New Jersey). They have toured with Gogol Bordello,The Bouncing Souls, The Bridge City Sinners, Days N Daze, Negative Approach, & The Slackers. Vice has compared them to Rancid and The Ramones. Earlier press also made mention of their use of xylophone in songs, referring to them as “xylo-punks” and noting ” There aren’t a whole lot of punk bands that feature the xylophone”
Ungoliant
Ungoliant – Ungoliant is a 4-piece black metal band from Omaha, NE. Formed in 2018, they have been bringing an old-school black metal approach to venues across the Midwest, opening for bands such as Warbringer, Uada, Panzerfaust, Jungle Rot, Hulder, and more. https://ungoliantamerica.bandcamp.com/VolsungaSaga – Pagan/Viking/Folk Metal from St Paul, MNhttps://volsungasaga.bandcamp.com/Rahvn – Blackened death metal from St Cloud, MNhttps://rahvn.bandcamp.com/Manson Lamps – Bog sludge doom stoner rock from Omaha feat. former members of Orpheus, Scabby Ghouls & Super Moon!https://www.facebook.com/people/Manson-Lamps/61571125720677/
VentanA
Rivers of Nihil
Sixteen years and five albums after the Pennsylvania band’s formation, progressive death metal progenitors Rivers of Nihil are upping the ante with their 2025 self-titled album Rivers of Nihil. Traditionally, a self-titled record can signal a return to basics and/or a fresh beginning, and in 10 powerful songs, it’s clear that both those factors are in play. Founding bassist Adam Biggs became the band’s new lead vocalist/bassist in 2023; the same year marked the appearance of additional guitarist Andy Thomas (ex-Black Crown Initiate), whose vocals also play prominently on Rivers of Nihil. Producers Carson Slovak and Grant McFarland at Atrium Audio captured the new dynamics across more than 50 minutes of music. On June 15, 2023, the band released a new single, “The Sub-Orbital Blues,” the first track with Biggs handling lead vocals (following the 2022 departure of singer Jake Dieffenbach, and also their first featuring Thomas). A second single, “Hellbirds,” dropped on October 19 of that year. On April 29, 2024, the band released the cut “Criminals” and an accompanying music video. Both “Criminals” and “The Sub-Orbital Blues” appear on Rivers of Nihil. The new album’s first single of 2025, “House of Light,” is a track the band believes “encapsulates the nature of what it is that we do perfectly while offering a different perspective on the sound with the new lineup,” explains founding member/guitarist Brody Uttley, who also plays piano and does the programming in the band. “Everything that our fans have come to love about our sound is demonstrated in this song with the new addition of Andy singing and Biggs on main vocals. It has the riffs, it has the big chorus, it has the prog, it has the solos, it has the sax. Just a real classic example of what we will do as a band in 2025.” Rivers of Nihil also showcases additional musicians, including Patrick Corona on alto saxophone; Stephan Lopez on banjo; McFarland on cello; and a slate of other guest vocalists. Further singles include “American Death,” a true-to-form beater that’s sure to slay live, and “Water & Time,” which Uttley says is Rivers’ “stab at writing a big chorus style synth-laden song. The main melody on synth came out so cool the band filled out the song with “metal band stuff” for the potent final version heard on Rivers of Nihil. Despite the fresh approach on Rivers of Nihil, the album fits neatly into the band’s discography. With Where Owls Know My Name (2018), Rivers of Nihil transcended all labels applied to them, and with its 2021 follow-up, The Work, they forged further into new territory. Metal Injection calling the latter album “by far the group’s most cohesive, ambitious, meditative, and varied effort, with greater uses of philosophical significance and transcendental respites.” The quartet’s musicianship has been honed to a fine point thanks to an unrelenting touring schedule over the past few years, including headline tours of the U.S. and EU/UK, as well as support slots on the Chaos and Carnage Tour (Cattle Decapitation, Carnifex, etc.), Lorna Shore, Between the Buried and Me, and shows with Killswitch Engage.
Castrator
Three years after their crushing debut Defiled in Oblivion, CASTRATOR returns with Coronation of the Grotesque, an album that not only exceeds all expectations but leaves them shattered in its wake, firmly cementing the band among the North American death metal elite. Touring with the likes of Immolation, Exhumed, and Cattle Decapitation has cemented CASTRATOR’s reputation as a commanding live force, and concert announcements in support of Coronation of the Grotesque are imminent.
