Article by: Amy Asche

Photos by: Metal Witch

Saturday, November 4th, in the heart of Denver at Lost Lake, offered an unforgettable experience for all metal music enthusiasts. The evening was entirely dedicated to an insane lineup of bands: Burning Through Darkness, Glass Helix, Goat Hill Massacre, Draghoria, and Thrash Hard City, each delivering an electrifying performance.

Kicking things off, Burning Through Darkness set the mood. Sadly, I missed their performance, and the following act, Glass Helix, but I was filled in by my good friend Jon Maggard of Mind Incision, who was also in attendance with fellow band member Kelly Morse. The guys informed me that the opening acts delivered performances that were nothing short of masterpieces. Catch Mind Incision on January 12th at the Blue Bird Theater in support of their upcoming album “The Awakening.”

I managed to make it just in time for Goat Hill Massacre, who took the stage by storm. Their exhilarating and fast-paced music, laced with aggressive guitar work and fierce drumming on the part of Danielle Wilkins, shook the venue and injected frenzied energy into the crowd. There was a raw power to their music that was thrilling and primitive, painting pictures of chaos and rebellion. This performance was enhanced by the addition of new guitarist Josh Cornwell and the band’s ability to change things up by swapping performance roles between Andrea Whitehair Hardyway and Josh Walton. Catch Goat Hill Massacre on January 5th at the Crypt for the Metal Maidens Calendar Release Party 2024, where they will be performing with Human Paint, It’s Always Sunny in Tijuana, and Abysmal Womb! After Goat Hill Massacre, Draghoria took the stage, celebrating frontman Riggs’ birthday. The band’s set was not for the faint-hearted. Their blistering performance, a cocktail of heavy vocals, and shredding precision guitar work backed by heart-pounding drums, enthralled the crowd. Their music felt adventurous, brutal, and yet totally inclusive, like a rowdy party where the doors are flung open wide. Draghoria kept the crowd pumped performing a new song H.Y.O. aka “Hold Your Own,” off their upcoming album “Asunder” to be released on January 20th, 2024, along with two videos to go along with the new album. Keep your eyes peeled for this self-recorded and produced album by one of Colorado’s premier thrash five pieces. Stay tuned for more details about their upcoming album release party at their home away from home, the Moxi Theater in Greeley, Colorado, on January 20th, 2024. Lastly but not least, Thrash Hard City, the show headliner, and hosts of the evening, celebrating their new EP “The Alliance” and true to their name, created an earth-shattering performance with precise instrumentation on the part of drummer Matthew Thompson, high-speed thrashy riffs by Jay Lee, groovy bass lines by Isaac Mikael, and adrenalized vocals of Austin Frick. Their set was a reigning assault of pure intensity, driving the crowd into a state of frenzied headbanging. Austin Frick, from the band, excitedly shared some insight into their first EP, The Alliance. The EP contains four power-packed tracks, starting with “WAWAI (what a wonderful, awful idea)”, followed by “Half Step Back”, “Split,” and ending on an explosive note with their debut single “TERRORIZER!”. According to Austin, “TERRORIZER!” holds a special place as it was not only their first single released but also his first attempt at penning down the lyrics and recording for the band. The production was seamlessly handled by Van from B-Normous Productions. The Alliance EP made its triumphant and long-awaited debut globally on September 30, 2023. You can catch Thrash Hard City opening for Hed PE at the Moxi Theater on Sunday, Nov. 26th, and again with our good friends in Mind Incision on January 12th, 2024, at the Blue Bird Theater in Denver, Colorado! You can also stream them on all platforms and find more information on their website www.thrashhardcity.com. Overall, the night's lineup was evidence of the talented performers in our Denver Metal Scene. Who excelled not only in musicianship but also in creating a unique, captivating live experience. The lightning in a bottle energy, tight instrumentals, and throat-ripping vocals of the evening’s performances were only made more memorable by the support of the local music scene who came out in force to support their peers. It was an evening full of powerhouse performances that celebrated the true spirit of the music and camaraderie we all hold dear in this scene.

Photos and videos by Amy Asche https://photos.app.goo.gl/EKJK1u3hkJeiHLr88