Formed in 1985: vocalist/guitarist Corporate Death (Lance Lencioni), bassist/vocalist Nefarious (Charles Lescewicz), and drummer Dennis the Menace (Dennis Ritchie). The trio is a vanguard of the style they’ve come to describe as “murder metal,” a ferocious mix of death metal, punk rock, grind, jazz fusion, thrash and folk melodies among other sounds with lyrics examining real-life stories of serial killers, mass murderers and more.

Pus-Riddled Death Metal from Joliet, Illinois. Lnk.to/Molder Prosthetic Records/Headsplit Records. Aaren Pantke- Vocals/Guitar Carlos Santini- Guitar Dominic Vaia- Bass Kyle Pooley- Drums

Through N Through is a Heavy Metal and Hardcore band from Chicago’s Southside neighborhood known as Little Village. With their brand of heavy music, they have been able to reflect on where they grew up, their culture, social unrest and street politics.

Advorsa is a formidable American death metal powerhouse hailing from the heart of Chicago, Illinois. Established in 2013, Advorsa imbues each of their creations with a distinctive essence, crafting a captivating narrative that stands apart in the metal landscape. From blood-pumping homages to "The Evil Dead" to dark and eldritch odes inspired by H.P. Lovecraft, their lyrical themes are as diverse as they are bone-chilling.

NEQUIENT is a metallic hardcore band from Chicago. Building on a foundation of thrashing d-beat, they draw influences from a broad spectrum of aggressive styles including grindcore, crust, sludge, death metal, black metal, and noise rock. The result is a uniquely punishing sound that emphasizes percussive intensity and razor-sharp hooks. Formed in 2014, NEQUIENT’s first official release was 2015’s Infinite Regress EP, the start of a longstanding collaboration with producer Pete Grossmann (Immortal Bird, Warforged) at Bricktop Recording in Chicago. Following a few personnel shifts, the group settled on its four-piece configuration and forged a debut full-length, Wolves at the Door, issued in 2018 by Nefarious Industries. On their second album, Darker Than Death or Night, NEQUIENT set out to embrace even more diverse sounds than before without sacrificing their tightly honed focus or capacity for vicious sensory assault. This is a singular breed of heavy music: tightly controlled yet satisfyingly grimy, attuned to the anxieties of an uneasy era and unconcerned about fitting into the preconceived boundaries of subgenre. Produced by Grossmann, mixed by Sanford Parker (Voivod, Yob, Eyehategod) and mastered by Collin Jordan (Harm’s Way, Windhand), the album features artwork and design by Scott Shellhamer as well as a guest vocal turn from Eddie Gobbo of Something is Waiting.

Chicago Thrash Metal

Death Thrash