Entering the crossroads of Heaven & Hell

 Chicago Metal and continuing a legacy. 

Photo Credit: FOTOFEVER.COM

 

It was an accident when Toni Iommi had his fingertips cut off while working a punch press at a steel mill in Birmingham, England and created that Heavy Metal thunder we all know and love so well. To keep it short and simple, Ozzy was fired and Ronnie James Dio was the new front man for Black Sabbath and later changed their name to Heaven & Hell to avoid any confusion to concertgoers on who they were paying to see. Not before Heaven & Hell (a local Chicago tribute band) took the stage, and claimed the name rocking small venues in the midwest.

Photo Credit: Jessica Huffer

It has been a strange and brutally hot summer this year. I have been in the grip of Agony driving cross-country in 2010 Freightliner without an air conditioner, sweating like a whore in church along our nation's bible belt alone on Interstate 40. The dry scorching heat almost killed me, and now I was at my breaking point. "This is bullshit,"  I said to myself.  It's time to get your ass back home and enjoy some time off. It's time to bring this wagon back to the yard, get drunk off Guinness and dance naked to the feverish beats of Black Sabbath. Never mind that. Let’s talk about Heaven & Hell and one crazy Afternoon in Chicago.

That’s right folks, They had the name: Heaven & Hell first and in this world, money talks and lawyers walk right into court and get rich off your misery. So, without a big legal battle our Chicago Metal band lurks in the shadows and do what they do best. That is, playing live raw material from Ronnie James Dio and honor one the Grandfathers of Heavy Metal. “ It was pure love for the music.” explains Michael Posch, lead guitarist.  Other members include Warren Halvarson lead vocals, Jason Ward, Bass, and Scott Davidson, drums.  During this interview, Halvarson and Posh stated that “WISHING WELL” and “FALLING OFF THE EDGE OF THE WORLD”  were hard songs to master.  What they are trying to say is… if you want to get to Carnegie Hall, you need to practice.

Their set list was great as they played MOB RULES, FAIRIES WEAR BOOTS, and of course, HEAVEN & HELL. One can feel the energy they poured out in each song as they cranked out all the old classics at  Gary Olson's Birthday Bash, with special Guests Rival and High Alert. The best thing that afternoon was the crowd and all the excitement in the summer breeze. One beer truck, three great bands and 100's Metal fans at Bunker Hill Woods is what  Chicagoans will remember in 2012.