Legions of Metal VI Review

Legions of Metal is a festival I’ve looked forward to annually ever since its 2017 inception from the ashes of Ragnarökkr Metal Apocalypse. Unfortunately, yours truly was sidelined with COVID for both 2022 and 2023’s editions, which meant I was back with a vengeance for this sixth installment of the old school metal celebration. I was also unable to attend the first day of this year’s edition, which featured many of today’s hottest names like Unleash the Archers, Striker, and Owlbear. I’m sure some far more reputable and distinguished metal outlet will have their review of that day’s festivities up and ready to go in a matter of hours. Until then, you’re stuck with my review of Legions of Metal VI, day 2!

Fer de Lance

Fer de Lance is a band we’ve been following from the very beginning. Chicago’s resident purveyors of Bathory style epic metal have only continued to thrive, kicking off Legions day 2 with a triumphant hometown show. The setlist drew heavily from both their debut EP, Colossus, as well as their debut full length, The Hyperborean. There was, however, an unexpected surprise in the form of a new song off their upcoming sophomore album, set to be recorded next month. Let’s hope we’re treated to this latest metallic monolith before the year is out!

Mean Mistreater

It was just a few months ago that I was praising hard rocking headbangers Mean Mistreater’s accomplishments on record in the form of their debut, Razor Wire. I can now safely tell you that as kickass as those songs are on wax, they’re 1,000 times more explosive live. Yes, Mean Mistreater suffers from a terminal case of REO Speedwagon syndrome in the sense that the four walls of a recording studio just don’t do them justice, nor do words for that matter. When I wasn’t headbanging and air guitaring, I spent the better part of their 35 minute set with my jaw hanging open, in awe of their downright lethal energy. I feel bad for any band who has to share a bill with them in the future!

Ice Howl

After starting the day with a pair of strong sets in the Club, it was off to the Joint next door to catch a band who hails from next door (Indiana, that is), Ice Howl. This power-doom outfit has undergone a few personnel changes over the years, but have come out swinging in the past year, especially with the addition of frontwoman Zebah Latifi. With an unrelenting delivery that lies somewhere between Doro Pesch and Jon Oliva, Latifi’s powerhouse vocals are the figurative cherry on top of this doomy cake, and diabetic or not, I’m going for seconds.

Setlist

“Silent Resistence”
“Snowfire”
“War Is Here”
“Kyteler”
“Final Stand of the Third Age”
“Sorcerer’s Call”
“Bareal’s Blade” (The Sword cover)

Stress Angel

I’ve always admired bands with singing drummers. Triumph, Exciter, The Eagles…just kidding on that last one, but “Teenage Jail” is a banger (Those coked out Californians should’ve done more doom metal!). A growling drummer for a band who adheres strictly to the earliest days of black and death metal? Sign me up! That’s exactly what we were treated too with Stress Angel’s ripping set. Easily the most extreme band to ever grace a Legions bill, the band tore through a no holds barred mania of blast beats, tremolo riffs, and utter metallic hell. Even the power metallists in the crowd found themselves headbanging to their unique brand of Possessed-esque insanity, and that’s a Herculean feat.

Mourn the Light

Ever walk into a Goodwill and stumble upon a 25 cent CD of some Savatage worship band circa ’98 who never made it past their local scene? That’s exactly how I felt walking into Mourn the Light’s set, and I mean that as a form of praise. Whether it was the atmospheric synths, proggy maneuvers, captivating arrangements, or a combination of all three, this band was a total throwback to that era when traditional metal retreated to the underground, only to rise again decades later via a festival like ProgPower or, well, Legions of Metal. Mind you, I went in with zero knowledge of this band, but will be sure to explore them now in all their obscure glory.

Dawnbringer

Despite being Chicago’s very own, Dawnbringer has seldom played here, or even live in general for that matter. This latest show was the last in a string of triumphant reunion shows by the cult metal outfit featuring Chris Black (High Spirits, Aktor, Superchrist) and Scott Hoffman (High Spirits, Nite). While the set leaned heavily towards the band’s 2012 opus, Into the Lair of the Sun God, there was also a throwback to their earlier days with a downright fiery rendition of their blackened speed classic, “There and Back”. Indeed, Dawnbringer took us “There and Back” over the course of 50 minutes. We hope they don’t wait another lifetime to do so.

Leather Duchess

Legions of Metal’s relationship with glam metal has been rocky to say the least. There was a certain band of this nature who was set to reunite for the 2018 edition, only to self destruct behind the scenes (like so many bands of that era do). Vain was supposed to play in 2022, only to cancel without explanation (We’re still waiting Davy!). 2023 saw the inclusion of Spread Eagle, which went over so well that fest organizers Bob Byrne and Shane Merrill decided to go this route again in 2024, this time with a new band. Leather Duchess’s set was everything you’d want from a glam band: Loud, sleazy, and unabashedly hedonistic. Sounding like a cross between Tom Keifer and the dude from Britny Fox, frontman Tyler Heath and the gang had the crowd of denim-clad metallists all smiles from beginning to end, this one included.

Hirax

Only at Legions of Metal could two genres as sworn enemies as glam and thrash be showcased back to back. Did we mention that the “thrash” portion of the evening was carried out by none other than Bay Area legends Hirax? Fronted by the iconic Katon W. de Pena, the band took us back in time to Ruthie’s Inn circa 1984, where circle pits spun out of control and the likes of Toby Rage was diving off the PA. Those classic songs off Raging Violence (1985) and Hate, Fear and Power (1986) hit as hard today as they did back then, not sounding antiquated in the slightest. The band also treated us to the title track of their upcoming new album, Faster Than Death, which is set to be unleashed later this year. Keep an eye out for it or be forever false!

Watchtower

After a day of high volume, headbanging goodness, the festivities were winding down late Saturday night, but not without a bang…or should I say, a “Meltdown”? Described by Fates Warning biographer Jeff Wagner as “bonkers anxiety metal”, the legendary Watchtower played their first ever Chicago show as the grand finale of Legions VI, and boy was it grand. With a setlist that took equally from the thrashing Energetic Disassembly (1985) and sophisticated Control and Resistance (1989), Watchtower treated us to spellbinding musicianship and freakish stamina, especially for a band who’s been at it 40+ years give or take.

In what might have been the ultimate homage, the band closed their set and subsequently the fest with a spot on cover of Rush’s “By-Tor and the Snow Dog”. As frontman Jason McMaster did his best Geddy Lee and the band dazzled one last time with their technical precision, the room of metal maniacs were beyond content with what was yet another triumph of a weekend. We can’t thank Bob, Shane, and the good people at Reggies for defending and believing in this music, and look forward to whatever it is they have in store come 2025. If you haven’t already, in the words of Cirith Ungol, “Join the Legion”!

Setlist