IMMINENCE DECIMATES SOLD OUT CROWD AT THE METRO IN CHICAGO
A line of frozen bodies wrapped around the corner outside the Metro Chicago a few blocks from Wrigley Field. After selling out two venues and upgrading to a larger one, Swedish metal band Imminence headlined their first US tour to a cold but excited crowd. Opening for them was metalcore band Until I Wake from Buffalo, New York.
Even though Until I Wake was the first and only band to open for Imminence, that was all that was needed to get the crowd excited for the headliner. With tasty riffs and an energetic stage presence, the band pumped up the crowd for an exciting night. The lead singer began crowd surfing in the 5th or 6th song as the lights and smoke began to fill the venue. There were a few small issues with the vocalist, but after he said that the actual singer couldn’t make it and he filled in, all was forgiven.
After selling it two consecutive venues, Imminence headlined at the Metro Chicago to a packed crowd. The small curved venue of roughly 1,100 created an intimate space where Eddie Berg’s violin captivated the crowd. Beginning with “Paralyzed”, “Ghost”, and “Erase”, they ventured through songs from their most recent album Heaven in Hiding. Throughout the show, there were slower sections that really rounded out the show. Softer violin pieces soothe the audience right before heavy songs amped the crowd back up. Unfortunately, the lighting didn’t always match the intensity of the music which was disappointing in the song “Infectious”.
Despite Imminence’s phenomenal presence and stage performance, the crowd’s energy was lacking through many parts of the show. While many hands and cell phones were in the air, the crowd failed to demonstrate their excitement physically. At one point Eddie stopped singing and let the crowd sing all of the lyrics back to him which was incredible to witness.
Overall it was a really fun concert to attend and I plan on seeing them again. It would have been incredible to see Imminence play at their first venue Beat Kitchen. It would have been one of those legendary moments where you get to see a huge band play at a tiny intimate venue. However, it was great to be a part of a larger crowd where more people could enjoy Imminence’s phenomenal music.
UNTIL I WAKE
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