Eyehategod et Dwarves

Sludge metal is a genre that requires an acquired taste, but in my opinion Eyehategod are relatively versatile, mainly due to their status as one of the most well known and prestigious bands of the genre. The lights were out, and the feedback from the guitar washed over the auditorium before the band ran onstage with their instruments, ready to bring the house down.
They opened the show with a lengthy instrumental track, that demonstrated the sheer talent of every musician in the band, as they powered through complex guitar solos, challenging time signatures, and incredibly fast beats, whilst staying tight as a unit. It was evident that they’ve been playing together for years through their tight format, and their communication on stage.
They played through a variety of their hits from their older material, and journeyed right through to their self titled album from 2014. Their performance value was great, jumping, running, and head banging across the stage, despite their age. They put on an incredible show, and interacted well with us in the crowd, shouting to sing and dance along, and they even took song requests towards the end of the show. It really was a wonderful presentation of talented musicians and great writing.

Chicago punk rock band, The Dwarves, is not a one trick pony type of band. Originally they started as a garage band under the name The Suburban Nightmare, but like any good band, they moved forward and grew into the punk rock/ hardcore punk band that they are now.

To say that watching The Dwarves live set is interesting is a bit understated. On top of their already in your face music with lyrics that have no bounds, the band members are extremely interesting themselves. Drummer, Gregory Pecker (or as he likes to be referred to as Gnarlie Watts) performs with a clown wig, and pants, while guitarist Pete Vietnamcheque, or better HeWhoCannotBeNamed, performs with a wrestling mask and nothing else (although he has been known to sport a jockstrap in place of his birthday suit). They are highly energetic and play whatever they want, which is the appeal of the band. Vocalist Julius Seizure, better known as Blag Dahlia has an in-your-face energy that only adds to the no holds lyrics that the band is known for. A true punk band that resists anything mainstream, and because of it, they are widely popular; and a seriously great band worth checking out.