CONCERT PREVIEW: Lamb Of God / Anthrax / Deafheaven
Aragon Ballroom, Chicago
Jan. 30, 2016
The first significant heavy metal tour to come through Chicago in 2016 caters to a wide range of head-bangers. Thrash titans Lamb Of God are headlining this bill in support of last summer’s release of “VII: Sturm Und Drang.” This is the first opportunity for local fans to hear songs from this album live, including tracks “512” (nominated for a Grammy for Best Metal Performance) and “Still Echoes,” which shed light on singer Randy Blythe’s stint in a Czech prison.
Original “Big Four” member Anthrax open, no doubt to drum up interest in upcoming album “For All Kings,” to be released on Feb. 26. These legends, who built their reputation in the early days of thrash (late 1980s) competing with Metallica, Megadeth and Slayer, may take a slight backseat to more relevant L.O.G., but the NYC crew will be sure to bring the “Madhouse” to the Aragon. “Evil Twin,” the first single from the new album, continues in the hard-rocking vein of the last album, 2011’s “Worship Music.”
Pitchfork-endorsed hipsters Deafheaven also appear, rounding out a line-up of current and future legends. These death metal shoegazers, the most alternative of the three, are the most intriguing on the bill, especially as 2015’s release of “New Bermuda” showed more polish and focus compared to 2013’s jaw-dropping effort “Sunbather.” How will their brutal-beautiful dichotomy be accepted by fans of the other bands? That’s just one reason this show is a must-see for metalheads.
