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Live Review
By: Ashley Parrish Otteman

Photos by: Bre Sheridan

Friday night, the Denver metal scene was alive and well at the Roxy Theatre. Thanks to Swinging Noose Productions, we enjoyed a fantastic lineup that included Rosemoúnt, HATED, Venom & Valor, and Controlled Demise. It was my first time catching these bands live, and I was really looking forward to the experience. I must say, I was not disappointed.

With Bre, my trusty concert companion and photographer for the night, riding shotgun, we dodged the chaos on I-25 by taking the scenic backroads. It was one of those perfect, jacket-free evenings, so we rolled the windows down and cranked up Skinny Puppy as we navigated through traffic. As the Denver skyline came into view, the excitement built.

Upon arrival at the venue, its dimly lit corridors were filled with both new and familiar faces, including members of other bands there to show their support. Yet, the most notable celebrity sighting of the night? Definitely the back of David White’s head—which, as you may know, has recently gained quite a following on Facebook. Flanked by his bandmates from Human Paint, he gracefully posed for pictures with his many fans. Don’t miss out; follow this link to tag your own photos of this elusive rock icon.

Rosemoúnt  kicked off the show right on schedule at 7:30. This Pueblo-based outfit wowed the crowd with impeccable sound quality and the impressive vocal range of frontman Devin, whose dynamic vocals really stood out. Devin seamlessly switched from higher-pitched screams, which I particularly love, to clean vocals and deeper growls, all while being effectively backed by the guitarist. Their deep, chuggy bass lines energized the crowd, quickly filling the floor as their set gained momentum.

Next up, the band I had waited months to see, HATED, took the stage. This may have been my first time seeing them live, but my admiration for their work was well-documented in my review of their album '9411' (which can be found HERE). It was no surprise that they absolutely killed it. You must witness firsthand the raw intensity of their stage presence—each member embodying a unique blend of chaos and control. Frontman Jordan Taylor was a force of nature, coming dangerously close to the edge as he climbed on the barricade, the crowd, and even equipment while belting out lyrics. There were a few times I thought he was about to roll his ankle, but he always managed a somewhat graceful dismount, avoiding any mishap.

For this show, they were joined by the immensely talented Zee Crain (Wicked Vixen), who brought a beautifully unique touch with her refined vocals and electric violin on tracks like 'V.o.1.d,' 'empt1ed,' and a surprise collaboration on '9411'. By the end of their set, I was left wondering yet again: why aren’t these guys headlining every dark, dingy venue known to humankind? There is certainly no lack of talent here.

Venom and Valor were up next, a treat for the rowdy crowd. They stood out to me with their tightness and cohesion, the way the instruments locked into each other with noticeable smoothness while maintaining an element of rawness. Their frontman, Lonn Edwin Robinson, dominated the stage, his powerful, low, and gritty vocals whipping the crowd into a frenzy that kept the energy soaring. The mosh pit churned relentlessly, driven by the band’s aggressive and highly energetic sound. Beside me, a vodka enthusiast windmilled her long hair with fervor as I tried unsuccessfully to anticipate her rhythm and dodge the repeated slaps in the face. Her enthusiasm proved to be infectious, though, and I decided to follow her lead and enjoy the moment.

Finally, it was time for the headliners, Controlled Demise. As we waited for them to take the stage, beside me, David White assured me that these guys know how to put on a great show; the neon lights above the stage shined down upon the back of his notorious head, creating a luminous glow that reflected the light like a well-polished disco ball at a roller rink.

The air was thick with anticipation until finally, guest vocalist Loktavious graced the stage with an unexpected opening rap. I couldn’t help but notice how he seemed to brim with pure joy as he casually paced the stage, cultivating a positive vibe that I hadn’t quite expected but certainly appreciated. I turned my head to see a large chunk of the crowd singing and shouting the words along with him, making me wonder what I had been missing out on.

Then, suddenly, Controlled Demise seemed to charge onto the stage, literally knocking me back. Guest vocalist Michael matched Zack Beecroft’s explosive energy, blurring the line between the stage and the crowd. The energy from the band transferred throughout the venue as their set progressed. Zack’s soaring vocals and Stephen’s exceptional guitar leads crafted the perfect storm of heaviness, sparking a lively, female-dominated mosh pit. Zack even jaunted through the venue in his Tony the Tiger socks, mic in hand. They did, indeed, put on a great show, and it’s essential that you catch them live. 

The night wrapped up with the energy still buzzing through the Roxy Theatre. Not only did the bands deliver memorable performances, but the venue itself was pretty great, beginning with thoughtful touches like the free water table—something I wish more venues would do. Of course, the evening wouldn't have been complete without capturing a few snapshots of the back of David White’s head, and I did. Everyone did. With that, Bre and I made the trek back to my car under the city lights, another epic night behind us.