(Live Review) ARCH ENEMY + SUPPORT - Chicago, IL (4/29/25)
- Mark McQueen
- May 6
- 6 min read
Welcome friends, fans and followers to Episode #35 of Beard Reviews.
Today we headed to the Vic Theater in suburban Chicago for Swedish melodic death metal act Arch Enemy, with guests American deathcore act Fit for an Autopsy, Danish death metal act Baest, and West coast metalcore from Thrown into Exile.
As you can imagine with that lineup, Little Johnny was like a kid the night before Christmas. “Awesome booking Beardo. We are gonna bleed tonight.” “Uhh..my ass will be in the balcony little dude. Knock yourself out. Quite possibly that isn’t even a figurative statement.”
The Vic Theater holds about 1400 and attendance looked to be around 750 (which wasn’t bad for a Tuesday night metal show.) The main floor and lower balcony were pretty full. The upper balcony was mostly empty. Not feeling into paying twelve dollars for a can of Miller Lite, the Beard skipped the bar and just headed up to his front row balcony seat while Little Johnny almost ran to stage front.
THROWN INTO EXILE
Even though they had only released two albums in ten years, Thrown into Exile was not unknown to me. This five-piece act led by originals (guitarist) Mario Rubio and (singer) Evan Seidlitz, have had a lot of lineup changes running a dozen or so musicians through their ranks.
Band stability might be their weak point, but over the years they have played on several major tours including the Mayhem Fest with Slayer & Motorhead. They have also performed in opening slots with Sepultura and Morbid Angel, so being on national tours is not new to these LA metalers.
Indistinguishable vocals with medium fast tempo. Both guitarists really headbang though so there was certainly commitment from this band, (along with a potential standing appointment with a chiropractor coming soon for most of them.)
Early on in the set, there were no pits for these guys and initially I thought “Well, I will give effort points, but I can see why they are a long-time tour opening act.” Happily, though, their new song “Eternal Nothingness” was good. In fact, that was my favorite one of their set, although I also dug their final song which generated the first legitimate pit of the night. Opening band, so I am going a generous 78/100.
Thoughts Johnny? “It was a good start Beard. My neck is loosened up. Now let’s hear what those doughnut guys sound like.” “They’re Danish Johnny.” “Right Beard, that’s what I said!” (Ed: Mmm, donuts!)
BAEST
Danish band Baest was unknown to me. This five piece death act (named after the Danish word for Beast) was touring behind their fourth release 2025’s Colossal.
Another five piece death act that started with something more akin to death doom with a slightly slower pace. They were fronted by the big-lunged Simon Olsen on vocals who made his screams count. This guy reminded me of Primitive Man’s Ethan McCarthy or Conan’s Jon Davis just with more of a straight-on death metal group behind him. This approach initially meant less moshing for Johnny, but was musically more interesting for The Beard.
Simon Olsen can growl/scream like a Kodiak bear with his paw in a trap. If that guy got frustrated about something and made that noise at me I would just curl up in the fetal position and say, “Please don’t hurt me.”
After a couple numbers though that slower pace picked up, and Baest handed the audience a full serving of their death metal side. The last two numbers saw a ground floor of people that moved like someone had just turned on the light in a seedy New York apartment full of roaches.
Baest was better than I expected, for an 83/100.
Your thoughts Johnny?“That singer was loud Beard. I wish I could have circled more, but did you see we got it going those last two numbers? Who’s next?” “Fit for an Autopsy John.” “Naw, I might be a little bruised up tomorrow, but I’m good. So… who’s up next Beard?” (Ed: Yah Beard, who's up next?!)
FIT FOR AN AUTOPSY
East Coast deathcore from Jersey, Fit for an Autopsy has churned out seven full releases since 2011, with the most current being “The Nothing that is” (2024.) These guys presented a more stable lineup with most members having a decade of time with the band.
I was not enamored on the first few numbers, but by “War Crimes” and then “Hostage”, I kind of got used to Joe Badolato’s guttural screaming. And come on, what says New Jersey more than a screaming guy named Joe Badalato.
The Vic Theater crowd, as well as Little Johnny, were really into these guys, yet they were only okay for me. I think they presented all the trapping of death metal that people who embrace that sub-genre love, but I just don’t. I think they probably wrote some lyrically interesting or politically motivated songs, but honestly I have not the faintest idea what any of the words were. For me, I could have been watching them sing in a foreign language.
The Beard had to go 75/100.
Johnny?“Beard those guys killed. Did you see me surf? That was a serious metal set right there.”
And, that my loyal readers, is why Mr. Beard is an old man and my boss at Mighty Decibel is looking to replace me with a talented orangutan that has mostly mastered the use of a keyboard. Watch for Metal Reviews from Little Johnny & Bobo coming this summer. (Ed: Probably would mean less editing for me. Heh, heh. )
ARCH ENEMY live Chicago 2025
ARCH ENEMY
Headliners Arch Enemy have been around thirty years and are well established worldwide with a dozen releases. They are currently touring in support of 2025’s Blood Dynasty. This five piece has two original members and one with twenty-seven years, so there was a lot of stability. Although originating in 1995, Arch Enemy did alter their vocal sound in 2001 when they switched to a female death vocalist, Germany's Angela Gossow.
This musical direction change immediately upped their subsequent record sales and with a few more tweaks, Arch Enemy found steady touring success with several major names until 2012 when original guitarist Chris Amott left the fold. Two years later Gossow would also amicably depart while fully endorsing her replacement Canadian singer Alissa White-Glutz.
Even in sound check Arch Enemy’s levels were huge compared with the first three acts. Fuller drums, heavier bass and lots of extra lighting and effects. For their introduction to the stage, they cranked out Metallica's “For Whom the Bell Tolls” which the audience loudly sang along with.
Once onstage, Arch Enemy served quick notice that they were the big dogs in the yard. This was immediately a show. They hit like a female-led Amorphis, (if all the members of Amorphis took a huge hit of speed before coming on stage that is.) Alissa White-Glutz howls like a banshee, but can also be lyrically understood when she chooses. Clad in a bodysuit with brightly colored hair, she cut an eye-popping visage of a lead singer you couldn’t look away from.
Original member Daniel Erlandsson pounded those drums like a Norse thunder god, while Michael Amott is certainly not slowing down any after thirty years on tour. Arch Enemy’s first three numbers were a mallet of speed/death to the skull. The rest of the set proceeded at the same near breakneck speed with a few moments for atmosphere every now and then ... and to allow the audience to quit smashing into each other like a room full of bumper cars.
With, well done sound, smart lighting, skilled playing, and a lot of style. I had to say I fully enjoyed them and will award an 87/100.
Johnny what did you think? “Great band Beard. And I know you liked em cause of the hot chick singer.” You know, that’s not always true John.” “Were you looking at the singer all night Beard?” “Shut up Johnny!” “Uh Huh. That’s what I thought.” (Ed: Me too, Johnny. Me too.)
So, as we wrap up episode #35 of Beard Reviews, I will say an entire evening of death metal might be a bit much for the Beard, but it was a great night for Dante’s cap wearing Imp from the sixth circle, Little Johnny.
Hopefully, you enjoyed this trip to the dark side, and we encourage you to continue to follow the Beard right here on The Mighty Decibel (for all the metal reviews), and on TikTok @thebeard0728 (for all the concert videos.)
For non-metal fans, you can keep up with all the magnificence that is the Beard as we review, movies, plays, dinners, and a lot of alcohol events. Just friend and follow Mark McQueen on Facebook or get on my Messenger list and I will send you all the latest material. May is a busy month, and we will have over thirty bands, along with 10-15 other reviews for your reading pleasure.
So, until we review again, this is the Beard & Little Johnny saying, “Live Life.” “Stay heavy.” And “Horns Up.”
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