Blackened, The Premier Tribute to Metallica
Lockport, Illinois, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2007 | SELF
Music
Press
" At their 30th anniversary show December 5th, Metallica was joined onstage by John Dent, shredding on guitar on the classic Wherever I May Roam" - Rolling Stone Magazine
" At their 30th anniversary show December 5th, Metallica was joined onstage by John Dent, shredding on guitar on the classic Wherever I May Roam" - Rolling Stone Magazine
Blackened is the winner of SNL's best Heavy Rock Band category. - Sububurn Nitelife Magazine
BLACKENED
You certainly know what the doctor ordered with quartet Blackened, based in Lockport, Ill. It’s doubtful that Metallica has played in the community of 25,000, so why not offer the surrounding suburbs a tribute band with the chops, stamina (the act has been known to play for more than 3 hours onstage), musicality—and setlist—to mimic the enduring headbangers? John Dent, lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist, is as adept a musician as James Hetfield, joined by Vince Ochwat on mad drums, Drew Creagh on bass and Dan Banker shredding lead guitar. With packed club shows stacking up over the years, props as SuburbaNites Magazine’s Best Chicagoland Heavy Rock Band and a touring schedule as packed as any major label act, the band’s following is undeniable, and they aptly apply the goods to disc with a handful of their own tracks, like “Time To Die”; and “Death Smile,” which howls and yowls, “Enrage, ripping skin, melting off your face/Destroy, alive or dead, there is no hiding place.” Sweet! Bands peak and ebb, but Metallica is one of few whose minions are in it for life. The sweaty raw passion exhibited by Blackened demonstrates that even with eyes wide open, tribute bands can deliver the goods as well as their aging icons. - Billbaord magazine, By Cortney harding
Discography
Death Smile
Time To Die
My Final Sleep
One of Those Days
Photos
Bio
Here is a review from BILLBOARD MAGAZINE:
BLACKENED
You certainly know what the doctor ordered with quartet Blackened, based in Lockport, Ill. It’s doubtful that Metallica has played in the community of 25,000, so why not offer the surrounding suburbs a tribute band with the chops, stamina (the act has been known to play for more than 3 hours onstage), musicality—and setlist—to mimic the enduring headbangers? John Dent, lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist, is as adept a musician as James Hetfield, joined by Vince Ochwat on mad drums, Drew Creagh on bass and Dan Banker’s shredding lead guitar. With a decade plus of packed, crowds, props as SuburbaNites Magazine’s Best Chicagoland Heavy Rock Band and a touring schedule as packed as any major label act, the band’s following is undeniable, and they aptly apply the goods to disc with a handful of their own tracks, like “Time To Die”; and “Death Smile,” which howls and yowls, “Enrage, ripping skin, melting off your face/Destroy, alive or dead, there is no hiding place.” Sweet! Bands peak and ebb, but Metallica is one of few whose minions are in it for life. The sweaty raw passion exhibited by Blackened demonstrates that even with eyes wide open, tribute bands can deliver the goods as well as their aging icons.
Here is what the largest club in our area had to say about us, 115 Bourbon Street said "
"BLACKENED?.. After deep consideration, we came away with this. For many reasons, they are most likely the tightest, most entertaining and BEST band to ever play at Bourbon Street! We love all the bands that play here but, Blackened took it to a whole new level..without a sound check. Thanks to them and to the thousands (yes,..thousands) in attendance for giving us our biggest Friday ever."
We started this Metallica tribute band simply because we all like to rock out on these songs. The idea was and is to play the songs we like and the setlists we wish Metallica would play. The comment we hear the most from our fans is "I wish Metallica still played with the passion that you guys have"
We are definitely a fan friendly band, we give a ton of merch away at every show, we play well beyond the contract time. We have been known to play 3.5 straight hours if the vibe is right.
We promote our shows harder than any other band. Be it a club, bar, festival or fund raiser, we will draw people to the show and keep them there all day or night.
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