Chicago Powerfest 2008

In keeping the theme of having an autobiography ready for when I need it, today is another trip into the way back (though not too far back) time machine.  Today is about Chicago Powerfest 2008, otherwise known as the "Metal weekend to end all Metal weekends (so far)."

The weekend began Thursday morning when the group I was travelling with came to pick me up for the road trip to Chicago, or thereabouts.  The trip began about an hour or so late because of what will be known as the slowest person in the world to get ready being herself.  The eight hour trip went through northern Missouri without many problems.  We stopped for the first break at the Iowa border because that energy drink I had before leaving the house decided to come at me with a vengeance.  The trip through Iowa had a few covering the noses because of the numerous cow farms and quite possibly the most "Kum and Go" stores ever (make your own joke here).  Illinois was smooth sailing except for when we got closer to Mokena, where the hotel and the Powerfest were located.  We made it to the hotel about 5:30 PM, and took a brief rest before heading across the street for some White Castle.  If you want to know why we didn't drive down to the venue, it would be because it would be a folly to do so when the venue is literally across the street from the hotel.  After eating, we headed to the venue for Pagan Fest, which was the unofficial kickoff show for Chicago Powerfest.

Since I don't want to be rewriting the review for the weekend's show, here is the review, as written a few days after the CPF weekend:

Pagan Fest was the kickoff show and it all started with local act Earthen. They were okay, but they could afford some more work, which will come with experience, as they are relatively new to the scene. Eluveitie was next and the music from the albums translated well live, with Your Gaulish War being the highlight of the set. Tyr was next and it seemed that their set was too short, despite having played six or seven songs. Even so, it was still a good set. Turisas, face paint and all, took the stage and played some favorites such as Battle Metal and To Holmgard and Beyond. Ensiferum looked ready for war, taking the stage in kilts. They put on a great show, with One More Magic Potion being one of the highlights. Overall, the Pagan Fest bands all got pretty good crowd reactions and I hope it happens again here in the States.


Friday was the official start of Chicago Powerfest. Opening act Arise and Ruin are your run of the mill metalcore band, and other than the vocalist mentioning Iced Earth in between one of the songs, it showed by the lack of crowd reaction. Local act Ion Vein was next and they were breaking in a new vocalist in Allen James. They were actually pretty good, even with James' idiosyncratic quirks onstage. A few assclowns in the crowd obviously didn't take too well to those, with profanities coming from them. One of the members fired back with the double bird. Before I go on, I'd like to say that it's okay to boo, but it's not okay to be firing obscenities at the band while they are onstage. Back to the show, Epicurean was next and they were the definition of average, with the clean vocals coming out a little flat. A Life Once Lost was next, and no one cared. The vocalist didn't help himself by responding to the boos directed towards the band by telling them to "Shut the fuck up!" In this instance, the crowd was just booing. A word to the vocalist for A Life Once Lost, it's just boos. Show some mental toughness and be a professional. Iced Earth wrapped up the day's festivities with some old favorites such as Dark Saga, Burning Times, and Iced Earth. Matt Barlow didn't miss a beat in his return to the band, and they easily got the biggest cheers for the evening.


Saturday saw Chaoswave and Autumn Offering cancel and Sacred Dawn open the evening's festivities. Unfortunately, due to a pain in the ass traffic jam, lunch at Kuma's Corner, and a stop at Metal Haven, I missed their set. I made it in time for Twelfth Gate, and they put on a pretty good set, with some powerful metal accented by the vocals. Suidakra was next, and on the surface, they seem better suited for Pagan Fest. However, their set drew some pretty good crowd reaction and they seemed genuinely happy to be playing at the show. As for their music, it was pretty good, but I will have to pick up some of their CDs though. Darkane is one of the most underrated bands in the melodic death metal scene. One of their first shows in a few years, the band showed no signs of rust. I wish they would have played Layers of Lies, but you can't go wrong with Innocence Gone, Organic Canvas, and Chaos vs. Order. After an hour of trying to get set up, Testament took the stage. If you have never seen Testament live, you are missing out. Playing old favorites such as Into the Pit and Practice What You Preach, they even threw in some newer material such as More Than Meets the Eye from the new album Formation of Damnation. Chuck Billy and crew are definitely back and better than ever.


The trip back home began at 11 AM Sunday and went through Illinois through the St. Louis route, which meant no cow pastures this time.  Fortunately, we didn't go through St. Louis itself, which meant the risk of getting shot was reduced just for that.  We made it back to our respective homes at about 8 PM, putting an end to the weekend and the road trips that went with it.

So, what did I learn?  Well, getting lost trying to find your way back onto the highway in Chicago can be bad, especially if there is the adventurous driver in the midst.  Also, Mokena is a bad place to try and get drunk because there aren't many places to pick up beer and if there is, those who don't know where to get it are out of luck, and the Pearl Room beer sucks.  Oh, and modesty can pay off (See picture), so there.