By: Altara Blakthorne

This was a two set show thing, First all ages then 21 and up. The bands played two sets. The schedule of who played when was all messed up, cause a lot of the bands were late. The band Skinless showed up really early like 12:30 pm, they must have not known how long it would take to drive from New York to Chicago. When they got to The Aftershock they started drinking, so by the time the show started they were pretty much drunk. All the bands were really great. The owner of the club was a total ASSHOLE. Everytime someone would go outside in the back he would tell them to go back inside or they would have to leave. He was freaking out cause there were people there that weren’t 21, but he had all the alcohol locked up and no one was drinking. So who knows what his problem was, no one was doing anything wrong. When I came in Skinless was playing. They came all the way from New York. Very brutal band and they put on an excellent show and you couldn’t even tell they were drunk. The vocals were awesome. They are just a really great band, very intense and tight. Now when Anal Blast played, it was insane. Don Decker is really crazy but a great guy and vocalist. He was already pissed off that night due to people not knowing how to give directions this place. This place was 5 minutes from his Chicago store and it took an hour to get there cause no one can give directions. So I wouldn’t have been surprised if he gave up and didn’t play, but they played anyways. They killed and everyone loved it, I love his vocal style. He would walk around in the crowd, since it was club he was able to do that. Then one point he went to an area no one was at and just laid down while he was singing, it was really awesome. All the other bands did perform the all ages show but Reprobation cause members were missing. After the all ages show they told everyone to go outside, so I guess they could everything ready for the 21 and up show. So when everyone went back in; we started drinking. Anal Blast left and didn’t do the 21 and over show. The owner basically told them they were kicked out. But they did come back to bring me my stuff since I came with them from Nightfall Records. Cumchrist wasn’t going to play the 2nd set cause all band members were pissed (And other bands were too) and Dan (vocals) was losing his voice. Things calmed down and everyone was getting drunk especially me. At one point I was told I fell in like slow motion and both Dan and Jim (Fleshgrind) looked at each other and laughed. Jim told me “it was quite funny.” Reprobation were able to play finally. I don’t remember watching them play, but of course I heard them and they are a great band. And Malignancy put on a killer show as well, that band is really great live. The band was really into it which made the crowd get into it more. If it wasn’t at this club I’m sure a mosh pit would have formed. Cephalic Carnage is absolutely a must see band. If you haven’t heard the band get the CD cause it is kick ass. And if you ever get the chance go see them live cause they put on a great show. I absolutely LOVE this band, they kill and are so tight and are really into their hydro grind style. They have finally have a bass player now, Jawsh, who joined the band in January. Steve is awesome, he kills on guitars and so does Zac. Jawsh, the new bass player is great as well and he also does some vocals. But of course we cant forgot the vocals Lenzig who is great as well. And the drummer John kicks major ass. You gotta love their grinding style. They really get into. Go see them live when you get the chance too. Cumchrist did end up playing this band kicks major ass, even though Dan was losing his voice, I think he did an awesome show. The first set he wore his gauntlets. While he sings or screams (whichever way you put it) he really gets into the music and you can tell by his face expressions. The song titles just fuckin Rule nothing better, he also sometimes looks like he’s really pissed off when he’s signing. I was really blown away by them when they played and really into this band. This is another tight band, that you got to see. They don’t use any types of props or stage performance. Just pure fucking Death Metal getting out all the anger, hatred and passion they feel for the love of their music. But you can tell this band just really gets into the music. After they played the drummer Garrett comes up to me and says “Well we made him play!” But of course after that Dan totally lost his voice. All bands killed and kept the metal alive. But they will NOT play at this club again. The owner will be disappointed cause we wont make that much money at any other shows that go on there since it’s usually blues. And after what happened I doubt any Chicago or IL band will book a show there. So it’s the owner’s loss for being an ASSHOLE at the BEST show at his club EVER. If you ever get the check out these bands live especially Cephalic Carnage, Anal Blast and Cumchrist!!!