Chicago Is Burning

Faith-based, heavy metal/hardcore band CHICAGO IS BURNING was born in the summer of 2007 thanks to the initiative of Chicago-based singer/songwriter/musician Ashlie "Ashlie Thirteen" Maczko (former vocalist of Cry for Dawn). After having relocated to California in 2008, his goal was to combine aggressive and powerful riffing with a more melodic structure, in the vein of bands such as August Burns Red and Vision of Disorder. His earliest and strongest musical influences however, were those of dark-wave, in the vein of bands such as Dépêche Mode, London After Midnight, and The Birthday Massacre. Ashlie Thirteen is like that of a rock and roll Socrates, who not only single-handedly writes, records, and performs all the music for Chicago is Burning, but uses his dark and troubled philosophic visions to captivate, mesmerize and assault his listeners.

Lyrically, Chicago is Burning is inspired by the injustices to both humans and animals. And with the speed and fury of hardcore thrash, the music is dedicated to those who “live and die for justice and freedom.” The lyrics, full of attitude and sometimes offensive, are meant to openly express and reflect the very issues of cruelty, tyranny and oppression. In “Mxxxxx,” his vocals roar out literate, intelligent lyrics delivered with brutal open honesty.

Musically, the band is a balance between assailing vocals, guitars, bass, drums and atmospheric lines. While the music is repeatedly aggressive with the help of the vocals, the guitar and percussion all work together to keep the music "in-your-face."

The band’s first release, a three-track demo EP entitled "Murder City," was released in March of 2007, and featured a bonus video clip for the CD’s first track “He Doesn’t Look Bad, for a Suicide.” The release gained not only a string of great reviews, but built an unwavering legion of loyal-to-the-cause followers and fans.

The demo quickly led to the current follow up CD “American Outlaw” in November of 2008. Most importantly, the consistency of poetic rage is maintained throughout this album, via the skillful use of well-produced industrial textures and Ashlie Thirteen’s sheer vocal conviction. Each individual song is structured in a way that is both powerful and majestic. This six-track release never forgets its primary mission and beats the listener into submission with songs Ann Boleyn, For What is Owed - You Will Pay in Blood, Fall into the Sun, On the Edge of Winter and This Is How People Get Killed. Mxxxxx appears once again as a finely crafted remix from the “Murder City” Demo. “American Outlaw” is destined to become a landmark album in the consciousness of a world hungry for something musically extraordinary and unforgettable.

In support of “American Outlaw,” Chicago is Burning and Ashlie Thirteen return debut on the stage in February 2009 to embark on their U.S. American Outlaw Tour 09.