On August 10th OTTTO and Bastardane – both prominent groups within the modern hard rock scene – came to Chicago in light of their current Reconquest Tour. The two rock outfits are no strangers to touring together, as both bands played together the previous summer as well. The Reconquest Tour sees both Bastardane and OTTTO in new fashions, but when it comes to each group’s signature sound, talent and onstage energy – those matters remain the same.
Select dates on the Reconquest Tour – including the Chicago date – fell on Saturdays of Metallica Takeover Weekends. Currently, on the North American leg of their 72 Seasons World Tour, Metallica has been playing two shows – and two completely different setlists – in each city on Friday and Sunday night. On Saturdays, a variety of Metallica-themed events and activities are taking place throughout touring cities such as pop-up stores, Metallica film events, and Ross Halfin Q+A’s. Another event that Metallica is highlighting are Saturday nights where Metallica fans can see the sons of James Hetfield and Rob Trujillo perform in their respective rock and roll bands.
While the Reconquest Tour is a welcome and encouraged space for Metallica fans hoping to get a scope of young prodigies, and the Chicago show was mostly a see of Metallica shirts seen as Soldier Field the night prior, it must be noted that Bastardane and OTTTO do not need their musical ancestry to be highlighted in order to be deemed success. Both bands possess a fiery and energetic nerve and talent that is enough to skyrocket them into rock and roll glory all on their own without the mention of their fathers before them.
Bastardane and OTTTO performed at Chicago’s very own House of Blues, a perfect venue to capture the grunge intimacy and raw energy of both groups. Opening for the coheadliners was local hardcore punk group We Weren’t Invited. While Chicago is known for producing the most famous names in music (everyone from Fall Out Boy to Ministry to The Smashing Pumpkins) and is a historic hub for the Blues, the Windy City is now a vibrant community for underground punk bands. We Weren’t Invited, arguably one of if not the most prominent name in Chicago’s hardcore punk scene, were a perfect gateway into the night’s heavy symphonies.
Known for their intense energy and devout following, We Weren’t Invited performed a number of their most renowned songs including their hit “Sorry 2 Piss On Your Pity Party.” Lead vocalist Johnny Wynne is the definitive hardcore vocalist, resembling something like Iggy Pop if he evolved into something far more dangerous – in the best way possible.
After We Weren’t Invited’s set, Bastardane took to the stage. Bastardane, now composed of Luca Badan (vocals/bass), Ethan Sirotzki (guitars) and Castor Hetfield (vocals/drums), have recently parted ways with previous lead singer and vocalist Jacobious Lovebone who recently explained his departure from the band in an Instagram post on August 15.
Without Lovebone, lead vocals have been taken over by Badan. At the House of Blues gig, Bastardane didn’t show any signs of suffering without the presence of Lovebone. While Lovebone took with him their unique sense of the avant garde and more artistic and performative aspect of their sludgey rock and roll, Bastardane now come forward as a more grounded, raw kind of rock group.
Bastardane played a good mix of songs from both of their albums Is This Rage? (2022) and their recent release Catatonic Symphony (2024), leaning towards songs off the latter. Bastardane slammed through hits like “Masquerade” and “Weird Piece of Meat” off their sophomore album as well as renowned songs off their debut record such as the iconic “Above All.”
Since Lovebone’s departure, Hetfield has taken on more vocals with the songs, offering a delightful new take for seasoned fans who have gotten used to Hetfield remaining on backing vocals. Possessing a signature thrash metal vocality, longtime Bastardane fans are sorely missing Lovebone, but may be relieved to see that Badan and Hetfield can still bring forward the much-needed energy and resilience that their musicality requires.
After Bastardane, West Coast thrashers OTTTO took to the stage. Similar to Bastardane, OTTTO has recently brought forward a new lead singer, which they announced along with the Reconquest Tour. Tito Dutta now takes on vocals in place of former vocalist Bryan Ferretti, and he is joined by bassist Tye Trujillo (also of Suicidal Tendencies) and drummer Patrick “Tricko” Chavez.
While the mosh pit was certainly alive and well during Bastardane’s set, OTTTO ensured it was fueled with more fast-paced brutality. OTTTO released their debut full-length album Life is a Game last year, and is filled by one groovy thrash hit after another. With numbers like “Dance of the Dead” and “Skyscraper,” metalheads both old and young were slamming against one another on the hardwood House of Blues floor.
Trujillo, renowned for his lifelong exceptional skill as a bassist and having played live with Suicidal Tendencies since the age of 12, doesn’t seem to be slowing down when it comes to how he expresses his artistic skill. Able to produce both melodic, somber bass solos and slamming grooves, Trujillo can convey a vast array of emotions on four metal strings, serving as a vital pillar in what structures OTTTO’s unique groove.
Ultimately, the Reconquest Tour represents new beginnings and great change within both Bastardane and OTTTO. While it was well known that both bands were destined for greatness long before this tour, their proven capabilities to still put on an unforgettable show despite lineup changes shows that, at young ages, these musicians can maintain resilience on top of hard-hitting, authentic rock and roll.
Buy Bastardane music and merch here:
https://www.bastardane.com/
Buy OTTTO music and merch here:
https://www.otttoband.com/
WORDS BY JUSTICE PETERSEN
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