Close menu
Concert Reviews Memories Reviews

Chicago Open Air 2016

/ by | 38 Comments on Chicago Open Air 2016

Skeptic.  That is precisely how I felt when this tour was announced.  It is no secret that fans of metal these days are at war with each other, forming cliques within the different types of subgenres that have spawned over the last 15 or so years.  I remember reading and laughing at all the trolls posting about Chicago Open Air’s vast line-up.  Quotes like “Anybody up for carpooling?  I am coming from the 90s” made me chuckle as if I was in high school again.  But that is the point!  Chicago Open Air’s line-up was intricately designed to entertain an old metalhead like myself, as well as the generations after me.  I went into this show and expected it to be a bland re-hash of past memories.  Three days later, I emerged from Toyota park with a massive smile on my face.  Let me tell you about my experience over those three days.

The Asgardian Gods blessed these 3 days with fantastic weather.  There were a few times where the sun punished us, but we were forgiven with small rainstorms here and there to cool off the crowd.  My mind was set in stone to see certain bands, and great weather followed me from stage to stage each day.  Walking around the festival, there were amazing gourmet man food vendors that fed the masses well.  The foods were quite pricey, but you did not walk away hungry, that’s for sure.  Monster Energy also had a huge tent set up that hooked up the attendees with hydrating drinks.  I am not one for energy drinks, but I will say that the free drinks were an excellent marketing move and appealed to everyone. 

On Friday, the first band I checked out was Periphery, (Who were absolutely amazing) and I stayed at that stage to see Hatebreed and Carcass.  Both of these bands also are legends in their own way, and had the mosh pits to prove it.  A storm hit us and soaked the crowd pretty good up until the 2nd stage headliner, Meshuggah, was ready to slay our ears.  It is no secret that Meshuggah is one of my favorite bands of all time, and what happened next was almost a religious experience.  Moments before the band took stage, the storm stopped and the sky eye-fucked us with the brightest double rainbow you have ever seen.  This drove the crowd wild as the fathers of djent made our ears cum with their polyrhythmic grooves.  I seriously did not think that Friday’s performances could get any better, and I was dead wrong.  Ministry and Chevelle were both fantastic performances, but the icing on the cake was the pyrotechnic show and headbanging, heavy, heavy show that Rammstein brought.  I have never seen Rammstein perform, and now I know why they are considered to be the German Metallica.  The whole crowd was mesmerized as the band performed all of their hits and entertained us with flame throwing instruments, explosions everywhere, and a massive fire cannon in the middle of the venue that you could feel the heat from anywhere in the entire soccer field.  Check that off of my bucket list. I really hope to see Rammstein again in the future, because, to put it lightly, was fucking cool.

Saturday was a bit of an early day for me.  I have seen a lot of the headliner bands perform before, so as an old guy, I needed to conserve my energy.  There were 2 bands that I really wanted to see.  Deafheaven and Gojira.  I got as close as I could to see Deafheaven play, and was not disappointed.  Many friends of mine have told me that their performance is great, and now I have to say I am among them.  They sounded great live, just like their studio recordings, which is not as easy a task these days.  Once Deafheaven finished their set, many people left to see the next band on the first stage.  I parked my ass right in front of the 2nd stage to wait for a band I know was going to destroy the place…  Gojira.  These Frenchmen have tapped into the secret of eternal energy, as they completely annihilated ALL the bands that played on Saturday.  They played a ton of tracks from all of their albums, including their newest release “Magma” which you should buy immediately if you have not had the chance to do so.  I was pressed against the barricade and headbanging the entire time.  What an amazing performance… and after that, I was spent.  Was time to gorge on gourmet man food, an Iron Maiden burger from Kuma’s Korner and call it a night.

Sunday was also a great show.  Not only did I get to experience the first concerts I have ever been to in my life, I got to experience a brand new genre.  I started going to concerts when I was 15 years old.  My first concert I attended was Corrosion of Conformity, and a few concerts later I saw Marilyn Manson for the Smells Like Children tour.  Both of these bands playing Chicago Open Air had the high school me screaming for joy, as they played all of their hits that I remembered….especially Manson starting off the show with Angel With the Scabbed Wings.  I was in pure bliss.  Those performances were amazing, but seriously did not hold a candle to what Babymetal brought.  Talk as much shit as you want about Babymetal, those girls are tireless performers that work their asses off.  This was my favorite band of the night.  Hail Babymetal!

All in all, Chicago Open Air was a MASSIVE success.  It brought together metalheads of all ages to a venue that was completely prepared for its crowd.  The sound was amazing, the security was accommodating, and the overall experience was one for the record books.  Monster Energy and Chicago Open Air, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the memories I have of those 3 days.  Doc Metal signing out.

Pepper Keenan of Corrosion of Conformity.

A double rainbow came out just as Meshuggah blasted our ears off.

Right up against the barricades for GOJIRA!

Rammstein FIRE FIRE FIRE!


Rating

12345
5/5

38 Comments on “Chicago Open Air 2016”

  • smm panel termurah

    says:

    This page truly has all of the information and facts I wanted
    about this subject and didn’t know who to ask.

  • ad88 trang chủ

    says:

    Greetings from Idaho! I’m bored to death at work so I decided to browse your website on my iphone during
    lunch break. I enjoy the knowledge you provide here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home.
    I’m amazed at how fast your blog loaded on my mobile .. I’m not even using
    WIFI, just 3G .. Anyways, good site!

  • best online casino welcome bonuses

    says:

    Exceptionally well-written article. Great information on Big Bass Blast offered in a few minutes of reading.

  • apo sildenafil 100mg

    says:

    Viagra makes penises erect, but Viagra has side effects.

  • 먹튀검증사이트

    says:

    Thanks for finally writing about > Chicago Open Air 2016 –
    Doc Metal.com < Liked it!

  • what is rice

    says:

    Aw, this was an exceptionally good post. Finding
    the time and actual effort to generate a really good article…
    but what can I say… I put things off a whole
    lot and don’t manage to get anything done.

  • zidane

    says:

    At this time it appears like Expression Engine is the
    preferred blogging platform out there right now.
    (from what I’ve read) Is that what you’re using on your blog?

    Also visit my blog post: zidane

  • ธี่หยด

    says:

    You actually make it appear so easy together with your presentation however I to find this matter to
    be really one thing which I think I would never understand.
    It sort of feels too complex and extremely large for me.
    I’m taking a look ahead on your next submit, I’ll try to get the dangle of it!

  • https://lavkadela.ru/vybor/kak-otkryt-kofeynyu

    says:

    С чего начать, чтобы запустить свою кофейню

    Перед открытием кофейни выберите формат заведения, основную категорию посетителей и средний чек https://lavkadela.ru/vybor/kak-otkryt-kofeynyu. Изучите ближайшие кофейни, пешеходный трафик и особенности выбранного района. Составьте финансовый план с учётом аренды, ремонта, оснащения кофейни, приобретения ингредиентов, зарплаты и рекламы. Разработайте ассортимент, подберите надёжных партнёров и подготовьте обязательную документацию. К моменту открытия наймите сотрудников и отладьте внутренние операции. Комфортная обстановка, хороший кофе и забота о посетителях помогут привлечь постоянных гостей.

  • blockchain

    says:

    Bitcoin reporting covers many subjects, including software, businesses and policy. Context helps explain which part of the ecosystem a story concerns.

  • cryptocurrency

    says:

    Bitcoin education includes understanding that a website, wallet provider and decentralized network are different entities.

  • bitcoin

    says:

    Study Bitcoin at your own pace, using unfamiliar terms as prompts for further reading and comparison.

  • 해운대다이어트한의원

    says:

    I got this site from my buddy who told me on the topic of this web site and at the moment this time I am browsing this website and reading very
    informative articles or reviews at this place.

  • blockchain

    says:

    Learning about digital assets includes understanding the difference between public transaction information and sensitive access credentials.

  • bitcoin

    says:

    Build research habits that question urgent messages, verify claimed identities and keep sensitive wallet information private.

  • cost of doxycycline prescription 100mg

    says:

    For behind the wealthy and charming façade, lay a
    predatory rapist described in court as ‘every woman’s
    nightmare’ and ‘a wolf in sheep’s clothing’ who was
    prepared to take every step to silence his victims’ screams.

  • ремонт принтеров

    says:

    I must tһank үoս for the efforts yоu’ᴠe put in penning thіs blog.
    I ｒeally hope to vіew tһe ѕame һigh-grade blog posts fгom you in the
    future as welⅼ. In truth, your creative writing abilities һas encouraged me to get my ᧐wn website now 😉

    mʏ blog: ремонт принтеров

  • casino party

    says:

    What’s up colleagues, its great piece of writing
    concerning educationand entirely defined, keep it up all the
    time.

  • two moms reviews

    says:

    Nice post. I was checking continuously this blog and I’m
    impressed! Very helpful info specifically the last part
    🙂 I care for such info much. I was seeking this particular
    information for a very long time. Thank you and best
    of luck.

  • trx usdt

    says:

    Thanks for your personal marvelous posting! I certainly enjoyed
    reading it, you’re a great author.I will make certain to bookmark your blog and will eventually
    come back in the future. I want to encourage you continue
    your great posts, have a nice holiday weekend!

  • retirement income

    says:

    Wonderful, what a weblog it is! This website provides valuable data to us,
    keep it up.

  • Andrew Ballard

    says:

    롯데모바일상품권와 같은 여러가지 상품권의 현금교환 노하우를 한눈에 볼 수 있어 편리했습니다. 문화상품권휴대폰결제 방법도 잊지 않고 사용하겠습니다. 덕분에 소액결제 걱정이 사라졌어요. 바로 이동

  • Chris Simpson

    says:

    문화상품권소액결제 비용에 대한 정확한 정보이 특히 좋았습니다. 마이핀티켓 등의 플랫폼 활용하는 꿀팁 감사합니다. 상품권핸드폰결제

  • John Collier

    says:

    카드결제를 활용한 문화상품권 구입 팁이 정말 알차네요. 컬쳐랜드 현금화 성공률을 높이는 핵심 정보인 것 같습니다. 쉽게 작성해주신 가이드 잘 봤습니다. 제 블로그도 방문해보세요. 링크 바로가기

  • Walter Hanson

    says:

    Had a small chip repaired by way of windshield and it looks like new! Great provider typical.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *