Article by Lily Kinx
Photos by Amy Asche and Tony Gomez
The evening marked HQ Denver's celebratory second night of operation following a prolonged closure due to a city water main break, which had caused an underground explosion, bursting through the club's brick wall and flooding the basement. This incident had left the venue inoperative and unable to host shows for an agonizing three months. Yet, the long hiatus concluded with the venue's doors once again opening wide to a frenzied crowd craving a night of raw, brutal metal.
The energy was electric with excitement and anticipation as metal fans flocked to the venue, eager to welcome back the live music experience. I arrived at HQ "unfortunately late," knowing full well that the freshly reopened space, paired with a stellar lineup, would draw a substantial crowd. Indeed, it was packed. Regrettably, I missed Stabbing due to the dreadful parking situation, which consumed more time than I had anticipated. Stabbing, a Houston-based, woman-fronted brutal death metal band formed in 2021, is known for its mind-blowing deep gutturals and intense barrage of blast beats that can quite literally chill you to the core. The band recently released a gruesomely gripping music video on YouTube titled "Visions of Eternal Suffering," based on a serial killer's horrifically twisted perspective. It's everything I adore, and I'm hopeful for another chance to catch them live in Denver.
Skeletal Remains took to the stage next, delivering their brand of old-school-style death metal straight out of LA. The band unleashed a savage array of riffs, merciless vocals, and punishing mid-tempo beats. Their relentless sonic assault captivated the audience, igniting an outbreak of headbanging and moshing chaos. With a dedicated following that reveres their homage to the classic death metal sound, Skeletal Remains cemented their status with a gripping performance showcasing both their tight musicianship and powerful stage presence—true powerhouses in the death metal world.
Following was Suffocation, a personal favorite of mine. Originating from New York and rising to prominence with their 1991 debut album "Effigy of the Forgotten," the band enthralled the crowd with Ricky Myers expertly taking the reins from original vocalist Frank Mullen. Myers' commanding growls and imposing presence incited an instantaneous frenzy of moshing and wild hair-flailing. Bassist Derek Boyer's spectacular display of brutal rhythms never fails to impress, inspiring me to take up the bass myself. Let's not forget the extraordinary talent of Terrance Hobbs on lead guitar, whose shredding easily left the audience spellbound. Suffocation's dynamic set spanned their iconic catalog, demonstrating their unwavering ability to engross and annihilate an eager audience.
Closing the night with a dark presence was Incantation. The New York City death metal giants took complete command of the stage with a fiendishly intense performance. Their formidable concoction of relentless riffs, booming drums, and gut-wrenching vocals enveloped the crowd in a transcendental state of heavy music bliss. Incantation's legacy as pioneers of extreme music was on full display, sealing an unforgettable night and heralding the return of HQ Denver.
Thank you, Denver—HQ is back and better than ever!