BEHEMOTH, DEICIDE, ROTTTING CHRIST, IMMOLATION – The Vic Theater, April 25th 2026

As I rode home that night, I contemplated perseverance and how it applies to heavy metal. Art is struggle. If you’re willing to work hard for something, and you stick to it, you’ll eventually get your chance.

When I noticed Behemoth and Deicide were playing The Vic Theater (3145 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL 60657) two things cross my mind. I hadn’t been to The Vic since I saw Decide (Legion) play there with Cancer (Death Shall Rise) back in 1992. Now, one of my friends, Jadran ‘Conan’ Gonzalez, actually plays guitar in Deicide and I was hoping to have a chance to hang out with him and see the band perform with a whole new perspective.

The Metal Channel editor, Roger Schultz, had been in touch with Conan a few weeks prior to the event so we knew he’d have to unload his gear and do a sound check before he’d be free. Our plan was to make the trek downtown early and scope out the area around the music venue.

On our way downtown we had an awesome Uber driver named Steve, who happily engaged us in conversation about music. He mentioned he had once worked with a guitarist, Alex Rocha, from Carrion Throne and was a huge fan of ‘gangster-rap’. We spent our ride down jamming Van Halen and the Ghetto Boys.

Our first stop turned out to be a kick ass record store called Reckless Records (929 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60657). This place was jam packed with all the vinyl and compact discs you’d ever need.

The prices were better than fair, and I ended up walking out with the debut EP of a Chicago deathcore act called, Degenerate Synapse. Incantation’s Onward to Golgotha Live and a very rare CD by Behemoth called: Thy Winter Kingdom Promo Rehearsal 1993 / Adv. III Demo …From The Pagan Vastlands.

Steve, the Uber driver, had recommended Cheesie’s Pub & Grub (958 W Belmont Ave) which turned about to be around the corner from The Vic. We settled in got some grub and had a couple of beers while we waited on Conan. The food was excellent I had a smash burger, and Roger ate some wicked looking mac n’ cheese. The beer selection included our favorite 3 Floyds wheat ale, Gumballhead.

Our waitress, Nina, was hilarious! After Conan showed up, we decided to do a couple of shots. Roger tried to order a made-up liquor he called ‘Hobo Piss’ but Nina responded without missing a beat “Darn! We’re fresh out!” After some reminiscing, a couple of drinks and a round or two of Rock em’, Sock em’ Robots, Conan and I sat down to do an interview.

We hung out for another hour or so and then it was time to catch the show. We entered the venue just as Immolation took the stage. The venue was packed with headbangers of all ages, race and gender. Nergal (Behemoth – Guitars/Vocals) told us later that night the show was sold out.

This was my first time seeing Immolation, but I’ve been a fan since I discovered Dawn Of Possession back in 1999. I was a huge fan of Atonement (2017) and was looking forward to hearing the play songs from Descent (2026) live. Immolation features a unique sound and style. It’s always reminded me of a cross between Cannibal Corpse (Gallery Of Suicide – 1998) and Morbid Angel (Blessed Are The Sick – 1991) a slower paced approach that pummels you with oppression. The band was great and I hope to see them again.

Next up was the Greek death metal masters, Rotting Christ. This was my exposure to the act both musically and theatrically. I purchased a copy of their latest effort, Aealo a 2026 re-recording of a record first unveiled back in 2010. Typically, the re-recording of an album happens to an early work the group was unsatisfied with. Maybe the budget maybe didn’t achieve decent production, or the process was impacted by the designs of a clueless record label. Perhaps the band just didn’t have the ability or courage to make the record they had initially envisioned. I didn’t feel the band I saw in 2026 was lacking anything. Rotting Christ has been a staple death metal act since 1984, and I felt their setlist was designed to expose new fans to all their music not to feature a single effort they had recently re-recorded. I felt like the band ripped through their set with a passion for metal seldom seen today. I’d like to see them headline a smaller venue.

Deicide took the stage and I held my breath. I’m used to seeing, Jadran ‘Conan’ Gonzalez as the Exmortus band leader. Now he was playing a supporting role in one of the biggest death metal bands of all time. I’d experienced Deicide live numerous times, but I must admit this was one of the most memorable. The band seemed like a fine-tuned killing machine.

Glen Benton’s vocals and facial expression were as fiendish as I had ever seen, ripping through songs like a butcher in a slaughterhouse, we held up our horns for fresh meat.

Conan did a great job mimicking solos originally unveiled by famed guitarist, Jack Owen (Six Feet Under, Cannibal Corpse). Deicide’s overall set seemed short and left us screaming for more but perhaps that was the point. I can’t wait to experience this lineup again.

The final act of the evening was Behemoth. What can be said about a band who is widely described as a premier Polish blackened death metal act, known for blending extremity with occult themes, and intense theatrical stage shows. I must admit Behemoth was just what I expected and more. The music and stage show was diabolically awesome. The props like Nergal’s anti-pope hat were fiendishly appropriate, the stage presence and mannerisms of the band were just what you’d expect from a group sworn to blasphemy. Satan would be proud.

The only knock I had was the mic stand Nergal used, while it was appropriately evil, it did block our view of a lot of guitar work. I consider Nergal an exceptional musician and it would have been better to see his track execution. Behemoth left us breathless, their show was maliciously amazing!

Once Behemoth wrapped, we decided to hit up Cheesie’s again for a couple of drinks before we headed home. We dropped a text to Conan, and he met us for a nightcap before the Deicide tour bus hit the road. Our evening waitress, Yoli, was fantastic! She brought our drinks out quickly, cleaned up after Roger’s mess, and even took pictures!

Eventually, Conan got a text from the band saying they were ready to hit the road, we said our farewells and called for an Uber.
As I rode home that night, I contemplated perseverance and how it applies to heavy metal. Art is struggle. If you’re willing to work hard for something, and you stick to it, you’ll eventually get your chance. My life in this business has been full of pitfalls and blunders, but I wouldn’t change it for anything. The relationships I have made make this lifestyle worth living. \m/