Two-for-one metal shows reviewed: High On Fire and Red Fang

Here are my thoughts on two heavy metal shows I attended to check out two West Coast bands who recently came through Chicago: Oakland's legendary High On Fire and Portland's upstart Red Fang. I had seen High On Fire twice before, once at Lincoln Hall and once at the Aragon Ballroom as the opener to a Mastodon and Dethklok bill. They are not to be missed. It was a first time for Red Fang. I enjoyed both shows.

Matt Pike of High On Fire at the Empty Bottle

HIGH ON FIRE
May 31, 2014
Empty Bottle, Chicago
Seeing this band at this venue was like watching a dinosaur stomp through your basement. In particular, iconic singer-guitarist-songwriter Matt Pike commanded the stage like few other metal frontmen can. Shirtless and tattooed, he wielded his axe while gruffly declaring his fantasy-laden lyrics: it's like a heavy metal pep rally for the Orcs of Mordor. Highlights included the following tracks from the band's past few albums: "Fury Whip," "Fertile Green" and "Frost Hammer." The low-ceiling, intimate space of the Empty Bottle was filled for the 90-minute, late-night set.
That same weekend, the band took the stage at the Do Division street fest as well as another gig at the Bottle, so you had plenty of opportunity to see the three-piece destroy.
BITE CAFE, an eatery next door affiliated with the Bottle, is in fact a great place for a bite to eat before a show. I highly recommend the bacon gravy poutine and the fried oysters and grits. You can also get the poutine with a mushroom-based gravy. Heads-up: the restaurant is BYO, so come prepared (like I didn't).

Red Fang at The Wire

RED FANG
June 3, 2014
The Wire, Berwyn, IL
This sleek, relatively new venue was the perfect spot for Red Fang, who was touring to support new album “Whales And Leeches” (see separate blog entry for review of that album). The brick-walled, open-air space was packed with fans eager to see and hear this Portland band’s take on grungy stoner rock, similar to harder-edged Queens Of The Stone Age offerings.  The four-piece band was tight, especially on the following tracks: “Crows In Swine,” “Blood Like Cream, “No Hope,” and “DOEN.” 
A small mosh pit developed early in the band’s set and continued throughout, only to lose steam once when someone puked. An employee with a mop bucket quickly took care of the mess.
Like the Empty Bottle, The Wire is small. Unlike the Bottle, it is airy and modern, if also simplistic in design and comforts: a few high top tables are scattered in the front space in addition to bar seating. There appeared to be a small balcony section, but I didn’t look hard enough to find the stairs up there. In general, the place had good sound and is easily accessible off 290 from city and suburbs.