Legions of Metal 2026: Saturday

Legions of Metal returned to Reggie’s in Chicago to celebrate their 8th year on May 1st and 2nd.
The Festival features an array of metal music - from power to thrash, you’re bound to find a new favorite.
You can find photos from Day One Here

Alrighty time for Day 2. This day was longer, doors opened at 3pm in order to accommodate the lineup. 12 Bands in one day plus a very special event.

Highlights for Day 2 include:
- Battle Chapel: The combination of soprano and harsh vocals, if you need something to listen to while preparing for epic battle [or a normal day] then their music has already helped perk me right back up into focus mode.
- Breakker: A Philly-based heavy metal band. They’ll also be playing at Glam Metal Fest in New York this upcoming June. Their energy was amazing, especially their frontwoman [Clare Mairéad].
- Fires in the Distance: Admittedly I did not do much research or pre-listening to many bands playing this year so really didn’t know what to expect. They got on stage and within the first 5 seconds I knew they were going to be my favorite band of the day. Melodic death, easy to close your eyes to imagine scenes being played out in front of you. Heading back to Detroit my friend and I listened to their discography, which made the rainy drive more whimsical. My personal favorite song is on their 2020 album Echoes from Deep November - The Lock and the Key. Though September is far away, they will be performing at Prog Power this year on Thursday September 10th.
- HOT FUDGE BROWNIE SUNDAE. No, that wasn’t a band. I just have a Legions of Metal tradition of getting one at the end of the weekend. As a treat.

Another unique experience also happened on Day 2: Byrne Vs Kastner. Two show producers go head to head. Answering the tough questions like… If your Fest was a dinosaur what would it be? I did not stay the entire time but I’m choosing to believe that Byrne came out the winner. The only negative thing I’ve got to say about this event is that I don’t believe it was fair to the bands who were playing the Joint Stage. Specifically the timing. In my opinion this event should have been the first thing to happen on the Joint Stage for Day 2 instead of the last. That way more attendees could have had the chance to see the other bands playing on it if they had started later.
{ on a negative for myself: Blind Oath I am so sorry, I did end up missing your set. I hope our paths cross someday! }

While you’re reading this I also want to take a moment to suggest other bands to check out! Either for yourself or future Legions of Metal.
If you liked…
- Lords of the Trident: check out kazoo metal band Plethora. New album drops June 2026!
- Void: another vampiric goth metal band with great harsh vocals to listen to, Second Salem
- Battle Chapel + Fires in the Distance: A band I saw for the first time last year at Mad With Power, Oryad! Vocalist Moira is amazing, plus she also has her own line of body care called Moira’s Mountain Magic Apothecary. I think it would be neat to get a variety of vendors at this Festival [the effort was there this year, but having 3 jewelry vendors next to each other was odd] so two birds one stone here! Plus everything I’ve smelled/tried from that line has been fantastic.

Overall, Legions of Metal is one of my favorite Festivals. Reggie’s is a great venue with plenty of space, they’ve got great stage lighting [as a photographer that is something very important to me], and the staff is super friendly. Shoutout to Stinky, the bartender in the VIP area. Speaking of VIP - it’s worth it. They have a buffet set up so it was nice to be able to hop in every once in awhile to grab a bite to eat instead of having to order something and wait.
Looking forward to next year - now hurry up and announce dates, Bob!


Enough words - it’s picture time!

Trouble

Heathen

Lords of the Trident

Void

Fires in the Distance

Wanted

Thunder Forge

Battle Chapel

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Byrne Vs Kastner

Breakker

Greenbriar

Professor Emeritus