Review & Photography by Nathan Vestal for MPM
On March 5, 2025, Chicago’s House of Blues hosted a night of unrelenting metal as Cavalera Conspiracy’s “Third World Trilogy Tour” stormed through the city. The tour, celebrating the influential early works of Sepultura, featured support from death metal stalwarts Necrot, crossover thrashers Dead Heat, and local DIY punks We Weren’t Invited.
We Weren’t Invited
We Weren’t Invited invaded the stage at Chicago’s House of Blues, delivering a blistering set that had the packed crowd fully engaged from start to finish. Known for their raw energy and unpredictable live performances, the band did not disappoint, turning the historic venue into a frenzy.
From the moment they launched into their opening track, the atmosphere was electric. Their blend of punk aggression, hardcore grit, and emotionally charged lyrics resonated with the audience, creating an immediate connection. The setlist was perfectly balanced, each song getting a bigger reaction than the previous one. Standouts included a searing rendition of “Kill Yourself”, which had the entire floor screaming along, and a punk track that sent the pit into overdrive.
The band members themselves were in top form—vocals were ferocious yet melodic, the guitar work cut through the mix with razor-sharp precision, and the rhythm section kept everything locked in with thunderous intensity. The chemistry between the bandmates was undeniable, feeding off each other’s energy as they tore through each song.
By the time the band left the stage, the audience was exhausted but euphoric, buzzing about what they had just witnessed. We Weren’t Invited once again proved why they’re a must-see act, delivering a night of cathartic chaos that won’t be forgotten anytime soon. If this performance is any indication, the band is only continuing to build momentum—and wherever they go next, you can bet the crowd will be ready.
Dead Heat
If there’s one thing Dead Heat guarantees at every show, it’s chaos. Their March 5th performance at Chicago’s House of Blues proved to be no exception—an absolute whirlwind of thrashy hardcore energy that had the packed crowd two-stepping, windmilling, and throwing down in the pit from start to finish.
Chicago has always had a deep love for hardcore, and this night was proof. The crowd was an unstoppable force, giving as much energy as they received. Launching straight in Dead Heat wasted no time setting a furious pace. Their signature crossover thrash sound, blending elements of classic Suicidal Tendencies with the grit of modern hardcore, translated effortlessly to the live stage. The band ripped through each track met with an explosion of movement from the crowd. Frontman Chris Ramos commanded the stage with snarling intensity, while the dual-guitar attack of Tony Ruiz and Vince Lindquist delivered punishing riffs that felt tailor-made for a venue of this size.
By the time they reached the halfway point, the energy in the pit had reached its peak. The breakdowns hit like a sledgehammer, and mosh pit launched themselves into the fray with reckless abandon. The band’s chemistry was undeniable, each member feeding off the chaos unfolding in front of them.
Between songs, Ramos took a moment to shout out the Chicago hardcore scene, referencing past shows and bands they’ve played with over the years. The appreciation was mutual—the crowd roared back in approval, fists raised high.
Dead Heat’s performance at the House of Blues wasn’t just another gig; it was a full-scale assault on the senses, a testament to the raw power of hardcore and thrash. Their ability to control a room and incite mayhem is second to none.
Necrot
From the moment the first distorted chord rang out, the packed crowd knew they were in for a brutal experience. Necrot’s set was a masterclass in punishing performance, Chad Gailey’s relentless drumming, guttural roars from Luca Indrio, and Sonny Reinhardt delivered blistering riffs with surgical precision. Their setlist pulled from fan favorites as well as newer material.
Necrot took the stage with their signature ferocity, delivering a setlist that showcased their raw energy and musicianship. The performance included tracks such as “Cut the Cord.” Each song was executed with precision, reflecting the band’s commitment to their craft.
If there’s one thing you can expect from a Necrot show, it’s a pit that never stops and the crowd didn’t disappoint. From the very first note, a circle pit erupted in the middle of the floor, growing in size as the set progressed. Fans slammed, spun, and crashed into each other in an adrenaline-fueled frenzy, while the band fed off the chaos, pushing their performance to even greater heights.
The House of Blues’ acoustics proved to be an asset to Necrot’s crushing sound. The mix was crystal clear yet suffocatingly heavy, allowing every blast beat, tremolo-picked riff, and throat-shredding growl to be felt deep in the chest. The drums hit like mortar blasts, the bass rumbled like an earthquake, and the guitars sliced through the mix with scalpel-like precision.
By the time Necrot played their final song, sweat-drenched fans were left battered but euphoric, many screaming for more. The band gave everything they had, and Chicago responded in kind. This was more than just another metal show—it was a full-blown onslaught that left everyone craving the next Necrot appearance.
Calavera Conspiracy
Max and Iggor Cavalera, the legendary brothers behind Sepultura’s groundbreaking early sound, proved yet again why they remain a dominant force in heavy music. The audience already charged with raw energy from the opening acts, the House of Blues’ layout provided the perfect battleground for a night of sonic destruction. Fans packed in tight, sporting classic Sepultura and Cavalera Conspiracy shirts, and the anticipation was palpable. The crowd was a mix of old-school metalheads who grew up with Beneath the Remains and Arise, alongside younger fans eager to witness legends at work.
As the lights dimmed, the Cavalera brothers—Max and Iggor—took the stage, joined by lead guitarist Travis Stone and bassist Igor Amadeus Cavalera. The band launched into a setlist that spanned their extensive catalog, including tracks from their re-recorded 1987 album Schizophrenia, a project that has been lauded for its fresh take on classic material.
The crowd erupted as the band played Sepultura classics like tracks from Beneath the Remains and Arise that have stood the test of time and continue to ignite mosh pits worldwide. Max’s guttural vocals paired with Iggor’s thunderous drumming created a visceral experience, reminding fans why the Cavalera legacy remains influential in the metal scene.
The synergy between the band members was palpable, with Stone’s lead guitar work adding a modern edge to the thrash foundations laid decades ago. Igor Amadeus’s basslines provided a robust backbone, complementing his father’s and uncle’s dynamic performances.
Throughout the night, the audience was a sea of headbanging and crowd-surfing, a testament to the enduring appeal of the Cavaleras’ music. The call-and-response chants echoed through the entire venue, creating a moment of pure, unified chaos. Crowd surfers rode the waves of metal fury, and at one point, Max even encouraged a wall of death, which sent bodies flying as the pit exploded into a whirlwind of destruction. Near the end of the night, a Chicago local and friend of the band, Beau Wanzer came out as a guest guitarist giving the crowd one final burst of energy to finish the show.
For anyone who missed it, the “Third World Trilogy Tour” continues across the U.S., and if this show was any indication, every stop is going to be pure, unfiltered mayhem. Whether you’ve followed Max and Iggor since the early Sepultura days or you’re a newer fan discovering their legacy, seeing them live is an experience that should be on every metalhead’s bucket list.
