RECOMMENDED
At this moment in time, Chicago seems bursting with powerful metal acts of all different forms, crews of slaughterhousers filling up clubs the city over. Metal’s on its way to becoming Chicago’s premier genre, and Raise the Red Lantern continues to do its part—the band’s aggressive, intricate and daringly melodic instrumentation works meticulous prog-rock into the otherwise deafening thunder. The four-piece’s self-titled debut from last year is a sledgehammer to the concrete, epic and bold, brilliantly menacing. (The band’s crafting of a heavenly guitar tone drives the sound, as members of Raise the Red Lantern run Emperor Cabs in Humboldt Park.) This is a welcomed annihilation; let the terror reign. (Tom Lynch)
January 27 at Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont, (773)281-4444, at 8:30pm. $8.