Review & Photography by Nathan Vestal for MPM
Progressive metal meets craft beer as Chicago’s Dissona unveils their new record in an intimate brewery preview party.
On Saturday night, August 9, 2025, the Barrel Room at Alter Brewing in Downers Grove wasn’t just serving flights of craft beer—it was pouring out something far rarer: a first taste of Dissona’s new record Receptor. Billed as a preview party for their upcoming October 1, 2025 release, the night blurred the lines between gig, celebration, and communal listening session.
The electric anticipation grew as attendees assembled before the stage, which featured a backdrop of barrels illuminated by subdued industrial lighting. Longtime fans clutched their pints and speculated about the new tracks, trading theories on what direction the Chicago progressive metal outfit might take next. In the corner, the merch table was stacked with shirts and copies of past works, as well as custom art for the hungry fans to take home while awaiting their Receptor pre-order.
When Dissona took the small stage, it was clear this wasn’t going to be a “play the hits and go home” kind of night. They opened with “The Prodigal Son,” one of the few familiar tracks of the set, almost as a handshake to the crowd before diving headlong into the unknown. What followed was a polished sampling of the new record that kept the audience hooked.
The new material was a kaleidoscope of moods and textures. Some tracks, like the title track“Receptor,” unfurled slowly, layering shimmering guitar harmonics over ghostly synth pads before erupting into snarling, odd-meter breakdowns. Others—particularly “Weaponized”—hit hard and fast, with drummer Drew Goddard locking into labyrinthine rhythms while bassist Craig Hamburger’s lines danced nimbly around the chaos. Guitarist Matt Motto balanced precision and atmosphere, his leads weaving in and out of David Dubenic’s soaring, theatrical vocals.
Between songs, Dubenic fed off the crowd’s energy while Hamburger expressed gratitude for the support. The crowd listened intently, hanging onto both the music and words from the band members. The brewery’s warm, open acoustics gave the performance an almost listening-room intimacy, even when the band’s dynamics hit skyscraper heights.
One of the night’s most striking moments came when they played “Renaissance,” a track that shifted from delicate fingerpicked guitar to a crushing finale that had pint glasses trembling on the barrels serving as tables around the perimeter of the room. It felt less like hearing a song for the first time and more like watching a film with no spoilers—every turn was a surprise, every climax earned. As the last chord faded, Dubenic thanked the crowd—not just for coming, but for being part of the record’s first steps into the world. The applause was immediate, loud, and sustained, a mix of appreciation and relief at having witnessed something special before it became widely available.
This wasn’t just another brewery gig. It was a metal band breaking bread with its audience, letting them in on a secret before the rest of the world gets to hear it. And in that moment, Alter Brewing felt less like a taproom and more like the launchpad for Dissona’s next chapter.
