By: Ashley Parrish
Cover Photo: Trent Jacobs
Denver – HQ was the place to be Friday night, hosting a strong local lineup with Surrender the Ectype, It’s Always Sunny in Tijuana, HATED, and Leveler delivering solid performances. It was one of those rare nights where everything just clicked—great bands, good energy, and a crowd that was there for it.
Surrender the Ectype kicked things off with some good old-fashioned progressive metalcore. Their set was high-energy, built on tight, djenty riffs and driving melodies, shifting between crushing heaviness and atmospheric moments. The contrast between the rhythmic chugs giving way to expansive, melodic passages kept it interesting. One highlight from their set was when Amber Chance (Blood of Lilith) joined them on stage to perform their new single “Misery Protocol.” It was a solid start that paved the way for a killer night.
It’s Always Sunny in Tijuana has been delivering blast beats and brutal breakdowns in the Denver metal scene for over a decade, and Friday night was no exception. Their set was a mix of fast, technical riffs and crushing, pit-provoking breakdowns. The vocals shifted between piercing highs and deep, guttural lows, giving their sound a sharp, aggressive edge. Always a great band to see live, their loyal following showed up in full force, amplifying the energy.
Finally, after an eight-month hiatus, HATED’s return to the stage was a standout moment of the night. The energy in the venue was palpable by the time frontman Jordan Taylor unleashed his raw, assured, and slightly unhinged intensity on their fans—some of whom had driven all the way from Casper, Wyoming.
Tearing through nine tracks from their catalog, the entire band commanded the stage, their relentless energy feeding directly into the chaos of the crowd. In contrast, guest vocalist Zee Crain (Wicked Vixen) lent her powerful and ethereal voice to "V.O.1.D" and "Empt1ed," adding a haunting element that cut through the heaviness in the best way possible.
It was the most charged performance I’ve seen from them, and to say I’m looking forward to their new music would be an understatement.
Photo by: Trent Jacobs
Closing out the night, Leveler brought an explosive dose of melodic metalcore—and, honestly, one of the most intense stage lighting setups I’ve seen from a local lineup. The bright fluorescents completely transformed the space, pulling me out of my surroundings in a way I wasn’t quite expecting.
Musically, they delivered a modern take on metalcore, balancing soaring melodies, heavy riffs, and crushing breakdowns. Sharp, intricate guitar work complemented atmospheric passages, while the interplay between harsh and clean vocals added depth, shifting between aggression and emotion without feeling forced.
Leveler clearly puts a lot into their live shows, both in sound and presentation, and it was easy to appreciate.
The show wrapped up around 11, and I can’t help but feel like every time I catch a show at HQ, I leave in a good mood. At this point, I should probably stop being surprised—it’s easily one of my favorite venues in Denver. Whether it’s the open layout, the location, the consistently solid sound, or just the atmosphere in general, HQ always delivers the vibes.