THE SKULL formed in 2012 by ex-TROUBLE members Eric Wagner (vocals), Ron Holzner (bass) and Jeff Olson (drums) along with guitarist Lothar Keller (SACRED DAWN) to “continue the sounds and spirit of TROUBLE – past, present, future.” The band released their critically acclaimed debut “For Those Which Are Asleep” in 2014 via Tee Pee Records, and four years later, their sophomore release “The Endless Road Turns Black” followed, also through Tee Pee Records. THE SKULL toured countless times around the world and changed a few members over the years.

Eric Wagner passed away on August 22nd, 2021 from Covid pneumonia contracted while on tour with THE SKULL in early August 2021. THE SKULL, with the help of a few all-star friends, proceeded to play a few memorial shows which prompted Holzner and Keller to carry on with this group of talented musicians. The band now features Karl Agell (C.O.C., BLIND) on vocals, Henry Vasquez (SAINT VITUS, SPIRIT CARAVAN, LUCIFER) on drums and Scott Little (LEADFOOT, BLIND) on guitar.

THE SKULL are currently in preproduction on their third record performing under the LEGIONS OF DOOM moniker, with Scott Reagers (SAINT VITUS) as second vocalist.

Yakuza is an avant-garde metal band, formed in Chicago in 1999. Current members are James Staffel, Matt McClelland, Bruce Lamont, and Ivan Cruz.

2018. Chicago’s Inebrium gathers to lay down ear splitting, noisy, slack tuned riffs, catapulted by tones of massive volume while paying homage to such proto-metal predecessors as Sabbath, Stooges, and Thin Lizzy while blending early thrash guitar chuggery a la early Metallica with sludge/stoner/noise influences such as Kyuss, Melvins, and Suplecs…

Inebrium began in late 2017 when long time stalwarts in the Chicago metal scene vocalist/guitarist John Almonte (formerly Witchbanger, Wickerman) and bass player Kyle Tuggle (formerly Bloody Spades, Antioch Secret Society) actualized a long time musical vision they had been discussing. They recruited local hard hitting drummer Colin Tahi (Propane! Propane!) and got to work writing. Then in early 2018 solidified the line up with newly relocated Oakland, CA guitarist Jason James (former Damnweevil, Secret Order of Tusk).

Currently in pre-production on their first EP, look for Inebrium to be leveling venues throughout Chicago and beyond throughout 2018.

NCS songs explore dark, bold, complex chords, incandescent melodies, delicate refrains, and languid, unexpected harmonies. In a review by the Chicago Doom Confederacy, their sound is described as “Noise and texture flutter, enticingly, beneath the all-consuming riff…If you like King Crimson and you like stoner rock, look no further.”