Havok, Toxic Holocaust, I AM – Concert Review August 2023

Hey All,

Thanks for reading this review from the Chicago show on August 9th, 2023.  Let me know if you were there, and if you saw anything to add to this great night!

First off was Hammerhedd, a thrash metal band from Kansas.  I didn’t make it in time to check them out, but the band was of course given props from the other bands, and the crowd gave them a warm response for their set.  Another band to add to the list for future shows.

Next up, I AM from Dallas, Texas.  If you can make it early to this show and see I AM, you’ll for sure be nodding or headbanging to the beats and potentially moshing it up in the pit.  They played for about 45 minutes and the pit was very active.  They are death/thrash with a southern groove.  Really good set I’m getting to know better after seeing them.

From Portland, Oregon but calling Chicago their home away from home, Toxic Holocaust.  From the first note of Bitch, the pit was electric and the packed crowd at Reggie’s found a way to circle pit on every song.  These guys deliver every time.  So good live and the crowd is so into it, screaming the lyrics back for each song.  It was two days before lead singer Joel Grind’s birthday (8/11) so he was serenaded by sweaty fans with Happy Birthday at the end of their set.  Setlist was great, band was tight, and fans were surfing and diving.  Great show.

Setlist –

1. Bitch
2. Silence
3. In the Name of Science
4. Gravelord
5. Reaper’s Grave
6. Wild Dogs
7. I Am Disease
8. War Is Hell
9. Acid Fuzz
10. Death Brings Death
11. Nuke the Cross
12. The Lord of the Wasteland

Thrash masters Havok, from Denver, Colorado closed the night.  Only time I can complain about the show because they could only play for so long due to it being a Wednesday night and curfew laws in the city.  Band was very tight and the crowd only grew in the small club.  A lot of band members in and out of the lineup, but the constant is David Sanchez.  He can fire up a crowd and did so often.  Their first tour in years because of Covid, the band mentioned a number of times how excited they were to be touring again and delivering new material to the masses.  Their setlist added a new track from their new album, Unnatural Selection, which fit in great with the Havok classics.  Have a look at the setlist and hopefully this helps make your decision to go see this tour!

1. Point of No Return
2. Fear Campaign
3. Hang ‘Em High
4. Prepare for Attack
5. I.A.I.
6. Intention to Deceive
7. Phantom Force
8. Covering Fire
9. From the Cradle to the Grave
10. Give Me Liberty…or Give Me Death (new)
11. Time Is Up