The Moxi Theatre in Greeley, Colorado, witnessed an electrifying night of metal on Saturday night. Headlined by Draghoria for the EP release of "Asunder." The sold-out show promised a diverse lineup, and each band brought its unique flavor to the stage. Denver-based brutal death metal band Human Paint set the tone for the night with an intense performance. The band's set kicked off with unparalleled energy. Their modern take on an old-school sound transported me back to the late nineties when I first started going to local metal shows. The vocalist David Assari, had a strong presence and demonstrated some very impressive windmilling. Having witnessed Human Paint before, the band’s ability to consistently blow away the audience was evident once again. There's something truly heartwarming about experiencing the raw power of good old-fashioned death metal, and this band gave me the warm fuzzies. From the first note to the last, the concert was a testament to the band's ability to dominate and leave a lasting impression on the crowd. If you're a fan of intense and powerful metal performances, Human Paint is a band that consistently delivers.
Next up was Bleed the Vain, a Denver-based band offering a blend of melodic, death, thrash, hardcore, and progressive metal. Their set was characterized by a mix of guitar solos and breakdowns, showcasing a dynamic range that kept the energy high and the audience engaged. The guitar work in Bleed the Vain's set is nothing short of impressive. The solos showcased the technical prowess of the band. The fusion of Thrash and Melodic metal elements in their sound kept the crowd’s energy up. The incorporation of breakdowns in their music adds an extra layer of heaviness, creating moments of intensity that resonate with fans of Hardcore and metal alike. These breakdowns contributed to the overall impact of their performance. 
Hailing from Cheyenne, Wyoming, Dystopiod hit the stage following Bleed the Vain, with a sporadically aggressive sound they refer to as "Wastelandic trash metal." A potent mix of black, thrash, grind, and hardcore. As the band emerged clad in camo pants and cowboy hats, the stage was set for a unique experience. What caught the eye immediately was the life-sized, graffiti-covered blow-up doll named Sveltlana strapped to the mic stand. The first few songs were an assault of catchy riffs and relentless energy, with the hats and wigs eventually coming off. This marked the beginning of Sveltlana's journey through the crowd. The band's decision to plunge their inflatable companion into the audience added an interactive element to their performance. As Sveltlana surfed over the crowd, making appearances in the mosh pit, and all the way to the back. Dystopiod's ability to transition from the visual spectacle to the raw power of their music was commendable. The tightness of their sound, raw vocals and aggressive blend of genres kept the audience into it, and in the heart of the mosh pit. Their live performance was an eccentric, chaotic and cohesive introduction into Wastlandic trash metal that brought something different and memorable.
Finally, the band everyone had been waiting for Draghoria took the stage, receiving an explosive welcome from the at capacity venue. With a down home thrash metal sound, Draghoria embraces a wide audience of all ages, and that audience was present at the Moxi for this event. Draghoria is a five-piece thrash metal supergroup out of Greeley, Colorado. The band features a diverse line up of Colorado metal veterans, Ron Carillo, John Colucco and Benjamin Riggs accompanied by young up and coming guitarist Ryan Nevins and drummer Alex Carillo, known for his thrashing beats and much sought-after recording skills. The sold-out venue was ready to celebrate the release of the band’s latest EP “Asunder” released the previous day, January 19th,2024. Draghoria showed up to a sweaty and fired up crowd representing THRASH METAL out of Greeley, Colorado, that will blow your balls off. The vocalist Riggs has a larger-than-life stage presence, and the vocals to match. His signature voice is unique in the metal scene. Guitarist Ron Carrillo set it off with his energetic performance alongside Ryan Nevins with his Jackson Rhoads Flying V. Draghoria dominated the stage and the audience leaving concert goers in awe and wanting more! The evening ended with hugs, drinks, and Draghoria’s music videos playing behind the stage. Leaving me feeling like I had just gone through a mosh pit at a family reunion. The night at Moxi Theatre was a testament to the diversity within the metal genre. Each band brought something distinct to the stage, creating a memorable experience for the audience. From intense brutality to melodic intricacies and the unexpected humor, the night showcased the badassery of our local metal scene.
Stream Draghoria’s new EP “Asunder” on Spotify, Bandcamp, and YouTube
Written by: Ashley Parrish Otteman and Lily Caruso
Photos by Amy Asche