Exciter + Midnight (co-headline) - Reggies Chicago

EXCITER

EXCITER is a Canadian speed metal band from Ottawa, formed in 1978 and are widely considered to be one of the first speed metal bands and a seminal influence of the thrash metal genre. Their 1983 debut record, Heavy Metal Maniac, is largely accepted as one of the first speed/thrash metal records and is quoted as being a main influence for some of the biggest names in metal today. Throughout the 80’s the band released several pivotal records on Megaforce, Noise, & Music For Nations and toured with the likes of Motorhead, Mercyful Fate, Manowar, Megadeth, & Accept. The band currently consists of original members Dan Beehler (drums/vocals) & Allan Johnson (bass) who are joined by guitarist Daniel Dekay. Known for their energetic, tight, and deafening performances, the band plays material from across their entire legendary Beehler fronted catalog & have remained very active with shows all over the world.

MIDNIGHT

The notorious and prolific Cleveland cult, Midnight, have been slaying the metal/punk underground with their own, highly addictive brand of lust, filth, and sleaze dating back to the band’s inception in 2002. Vocalist / guitarist / bassist / drummer Athenar has always known exactly what he wanted Midnight to be, and over the course of countless demos, EPs, compilations, splits and three full-lengths he has stayed true to his roots. Building up a strong reputation and a rabid following in the underground, the band’s trademark blend of speed metal, black metal and punk rock, Midnight’s most recent opus, Rebirth By Blasphemy sounds both fuller and more raucous than ever before.

WRAITH

Wraith is a blackened speed metal band that hails from Northwest Indiana. Matt Sokol, the founding member, on guitars and vocals. Mike Szymendera on drums, Chris Petkus on bass and Jason Schultz on leads.

HELLWITCH

HELLWITCH arose from the depths of HELL in October 1984. Formed by guitarist Patrick Ranieri and drummer/vocalist, Harry Tiyler. The project expanded into a full band set up in February of 1985 with the introduction of current PRECIPICE drummer Dave Silverthrash (Silverstein), replacing Tiyler, and Andy Adcock on bass/guitar. HELLWITCH shared the stage with such heavies as CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, G.B.H., CORONER, DARK ANGEL, KREATOR, DEICIDE, DEATH, MORBID ANGEL, ATHEIST, AGNOSTIC FRONT, D.R.I., ANTHRAX, NUCLEAR ASSAULT and many others.

October of 1989 brought about a contract with Wild Rags Rec. for the debut album ‘Syzygial Miscreancy’, recorded at the renown Morrisound Studios with veteran Thrash producer Scott Burns. In August of 1991 HELLWITCH entered Morrisound Studios once again to cut the three track EP ‘Terraasymmetry’ for Lethal Records.

2009 saw the release of their long awaited sophomore album ‘Omnipotent Convocation’. With the existing line up from 2005’s ‘Epitome of Disgrace’ promo. The second full length CD, ‘Omnipotent Convocation’ , came out in August 2009 on Xtreem Music. This album marked the second coming of HELLWITCH.

The release of the 30th Anniversary, 10-LP (!) box set on Germany’s IRON BONEHEAD Records came in 2016. Currently, the release of the NEW HELLWITCH album on Listenable Records titled,”Annihilational Intercention” is slated for June 2023. The band will tour in June as well as do several festival appearances later in 2023!