Live Review / Recap: DARK LORD DAY M M X X V with YOB, Pig Destroyer, Drab Majesty, Ghoul, Vastum

5/19/2025

Writing and Photography by Bobby Talamine
Edited by Fiza Javid

3 Floyds Brewing - Munster Indiana
Saturday - May 17, 2025

Dark Lord Day- M M X X V
As they so state:
"Prepare ye the way of the Lord....."
Well yet again, they got that right.
The lineup (as per usual)- spot on and full on energy, even with the opening acts, and the occasional dust cloud surfacing from the circle pit and some serious slam dancing.
All in fun of course, and also respectful by the way.
Also a sign of tidings to come, what with Pig Destroyer later in the afternoon, followed by headliner YOB.

And the Dark Lord faithful- of course they showed up early to get the coveted picnic tables inside the gigantic tent just south of the main stage tent.
Fun and chill vibes with them as well, basking in the tastes from the special Imperial Stouts that come with admission, especially the top tier deluxe ticketing, where you get variations of four different bottles to savor.
3 Floyds Brewing- they know how to throw a metal festival, year in/ year out.
From the actual layout of the grounds, to the staff, including production, to the timing of bands, let alone the bookings.

Keep in mind, most of the bands on the bill are currently not on tour- they're here as a special one off event, which goes to show the stature of the Dark Lord Day Festival, and overall vibe.
Of course I got there early to catch the opening acts, which we'll get to shortly.
But the essence of a metal festival is the bands, and proper coverage of them of course, starting with the headliners.

As for Michael Scheidt and all things YOB, along with bandmates Aaron Rieseberg and Dave French- just so damn powerful and cathartic as ever, followed by rabid howls from Michael ever present.
For a three piece, they churn the doom, spit out the doom, and yet to the present day with a solid ear for melody.

Just a solid and enjoyable set, opening with the blistering "Prepare the Ground", from their release "Atma", from back in 2011.
That song in particular, let alone the album- hard to pin them down, what with genres and sub genres flying about at a moment's notice, wicked as they come.

And man, like the rest of their seven song setlist, they indulge and partake in a wallop that wallops.
Songs such as "The Screen", followed by "Nothing to Win"- YOB go the distance.
The crowd knows this as well, from various sighting points throughout the floor, most stood in place head thrashing, and yet stunned at the mighty wall of sound.
And keep in mind the nugget later on in their set, with "Adrift in the Ocean", also from "Atma", which by all intent and purposes is worth the price of admission alone, 16 or so minutes of thick and gnarly sounds, with bursts of glorious and punishing momentum. likened to an old mast ship from the 1400's. with lots of canons and firepower prepared for battle when necessary.
I know that's a bit over the top in explanation, but still, these guys- they have a taste for conceptual thinking that's old school, followed by twists and turns that are like a wet towel neck slap.
Gotta love YOB in all their glory, prepared to take you on a journey that is menacing and and dominating and powerful.

Pig Destroyer, hailing from Alexandria Virginia- they also know a thing or two on full on bludgeoning, developing a sound that's kinda grindcore, and yet so much more.
Whiplash fast tracks? They have that down I tell ya.
Downright ugly in demeanor and don't give a shit if you like our music or not attitude? But of course, they relish in that revelry of misguided understanding as well.
Just take a look at them.
Nothing special- normal guys in shorts and jeans and t shirts, nothing fancy.
Which goes to show their attitudes are meant for their hardcore and abrasive sounds, full on energy and approach to their guitar and sample based violence.
Upping the ante- the antics from the costumed men of Dark Lord day, beating the crap out of each other first song on in. embracing the menace from Pig Destoyer, all the while having fun destroying themselves.
A gloriously destructive time throughout their set, all manner of instruments utilized as weapons of noise, gnarly spit in your face vocals included.

Drab Majesty- consisting of Deb Demure (Andrew Clinco) and Mona D (Alex Nicolaou)-
Had to do a double take when I saw the release of the lineup- like- how f'ing cool is this?
Love love love this band, what with their otherwordly chill wave into dream pop into god knows what songs and sounds of elegance.
And that the Dark Lord crowd was into their set as well speaks volumes, that there's more than metal to appeal to a bill that experiments with bands meant for a festival such as this- that other genres of music can work as well.
Opening with a wall and wash of guitar sounds and heavy synths with "Dot in the Sky"- A song that delivers on a higher dimension, a higher plane of reasoning and elevation of the senses.
Like Andrew and Alex's makeup and appearance as well- meant for detachment and overall stylistic appeal- it goes without saying how much this enhances their theatrics and sophisticated vibes.
Their whole set, some 9 songs or so, held to this appeal without becoming cliche, the songs are that strong, their playing that much in sync to immerse you and keep you attentive through their entire set.
Such a treat to witness them playing at Dark Lord Day, even it was in the late afternoon with the sun still out.

Ghoul.
Old school (with a story) kind of crossover thrash metal.
That they're anonymous (kinda), adds to their appeal and stage presence- more for the taking to shape and twist people's attitudes for the bludgeoning to come.
Lots of humor involved as well, with an opening that's militia- ish- a wolf head costumed up kinda guy, ready to knee cap you at a moment's notice, spitting blood to make the point, all the while brandishing a weapon if needed.
All in fun folks, even if the diatribe of an intro is menacing.
Metal with motivation, metal with a message of fun in all things thrash- followed by a circle pit on the main floor that whipped up a mini dust storm.
And these guys- they know how to write good songs, unrelenting in solid sound, solid appeal.
Quite the set, over before you can even catch a breath.

Vastum.
Prepare for the gnarly.
Fronted by a subdued (yet also manic and crazed) Daniel Butler, who can navigate real estate stage wise, floor wedge wise, pit wise let alone first three rows of main stage floor and yet body surf and sing banshee howls while never hitting the floor.
A special talent from all of the above, and making it work to elevate the unpredictable, all the while a full onslaught band egging you on to elevated death metal interspersed with high melodic shifts in sounds and attitude.
What a set to start the day- gnarly from the get go, with a pure and unrivaled intensity to make their point in all the grinding grooves, and unrelenting energy.
Such a great way to open Dark Lord Day, with a band that knows how to push boundaries and keep you paying attention and on your toes.

Dark Lord Day 2025- and it succeeds yet again, oh so memorable from beginning to end.

Bobby Talamine - JBTV Music Television Chicago

Dark Lord Day, Festival, Vastum, Ghoul, Mosh Pit, Drab Majesty, Pig Destroyer, YOB, Chicago, Indiana, Live Music, Bobby Talamine, JBTV Music Television, Jerry Bryant, Fiza Javid, 3 Floyds

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Live Review / Recap: DARK LORD DAY M M X X V with YOB, Pig Destroyer, Drab Majesty, Ghoul, Vastum

Dark Lord Day, Festival, Vastum, Ghoul, Mosh Pit, Drab Majesty, Pig Destroyer, YOB, Chicago, Indiana, Live Music, Bobby Talamine, JBTV Music Television, Jerry Bryant, Fiza Javid, 3 Floyds

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