Chilliwack Thrashers "Assailant" Perform their First Headlining Show Alongside Dredge the River, BRUTALIZE, and Grymm

Kicking off the first Friday of March, the Chill House has given the community another heavy metal show for the books, with this show marking the very first headlining show by the local Chilliwack thrash metal band Assailant, with their heavy sound being refined and steadily worked on for years to get to where they are now - the dedication and work of the band has been incredible to watch unfold, and their supporting bands helped to bring even more heat to the stage.

Assailant have been one of the most important pieces in the Chilliwack music scene for my personal journey, as I would not be where I am today without their shows introducing me to a whole new world of live music. The first show I ever went to was one where they were playing, and I had continued to go to every show of theirs I could catch - so to see them finally performing their first ever headlining show was something entirely full-circle and rewarding for me. Getting to see small artists slowly build themselves up is something that makes the local scene as special as it is, and the Chill House is one of the most important places for it.

Everyone at the Chill House is always exceptional, and you won’t. find better service or experience than what you get at the venue. Jen and Tyler run the doors incredibly well and ensure that everyone is safe and has what they need, and the venue generously offers free water as well as snacks and drinks that you can purchase for a small price. The venue is run exceptionally well and is always bustling with community interaction and incredible people, and you’ll never have a better night than you will catching a Chill House concert.

I have never had interactions as kindhearted and genuine in a public space as I have at the Chill House, and this show was another night full of unforgettable energy and incredible bands from the local scene that showcased their skills and unique sounds incredibly well. There’s never a dull moment at the venue, and nights like this one are the ones you’ll want to stick around for the most.

The blend of harsh metal and punk made this another night to remember, and seeing such a unique blend of bands was something unforgettable. Every single person involved played their absolute best, and these are bands that you simply cannot miss out on seeing if you are given the opportunity.

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Grymm opened up the night with mosh pits and incredible songs that brought the energy for the night up to a high start. Their energy was immediately apparent, and the bands aggressive and fast-paced set started off the night with a sound that you simply cannot miss out on seeing if you have a chance to catch one of the band’s performances. 

The band immediately made themselves known with sharp, aggressive playing, reigning in vocal styles that ranged from hardcore metal to post-hardcore through vicious grooves and tightly wound songs. The members of the band are young, but the local teenage bands play the hardest. Despite them still being young, they have an incredible skillset that showcases a massive sense of potential for the band going forward. 

Their sound works hard to blend unique styles and subgenres, making them stand out from the crowd and creating a massively heavy and enjoyable atmosphere with their undying presence. The entire band has a massive sense of stage presence and performance skills, and they use this to emphasize and add memorability to their performances. 

Grymm mixes a unique blend of clean and unclean vocals to add range and depth to their sound, with both vocalists being incredibly skilled in both their technique and range. Their vocal performances made their set incredibly impressive and deeply memorable, and they were without a doubt one of the best bands to put on the bill for a night of heavy metal music all around.

On a bill full of unique sounds and styles, Grymm made themselves known with a highly varied and unique sound that drove the entire night into success. 

For fans of the band, Grymm played a wide range of familiar material alongside some new songs that had the crowd moshing and soaking in every minute of the high energy brought on by the band. Their set was timely and had exceptional sound quality - some of the best that I have seen at the Chill House after seeing so many different bands take the stage. The band was very clearly organized and wasted no time bringing out track after track, and everything wrapped incredibly well to make time for their peers. 

The band was everything an opening act should be. They brought their all and reigned in heavy energy throughout their entire set, and they started the show off with high energy that would continue throughout the entire night onwards after their set. The band were incredible at performing with a high level of crowd interaction and different skills showcased throughout the set, and they led the night into success by starting it off the right way.

For footage of the bands' set, see HERE

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Brutalize are a band that immediately stand out from the crowd - unique band members, bold styles, and a level of expression that immediately creates a great reputation for the band amongst the crowd.

The band performed a veteran style set that showcased that the band knows exactly what they're doing when performing - it's clear that they've been in the scene for a long time, and their skillsets and performance style showcase this exceptionally well. Their immediate stage presence showcased a dedication and love for their craft through aggression and harsh playing, and every member of the band brought something unique to the table. 

Their style transcends boundaries and genre norms, blending hardcore punk styles and aesthetics with metal sounds - using a punk format to polish and mix genres through short, enjoyable songs that keep a steady energy and pacing throughout an entire set.

Short-form songs helped to drive the band into their outrageous energy, with a heavy skillset and unique presence guiding their sets into a deeply memorable experience. Despite their brutal performances, the band members are incredibly down to earth and kindhearted, and the interactions with fans were truly uplifting to see.

    

Their set was a fist-pumping spectacle to remember, and they helped to continue a steady flow of energy for the night, not letting it die down for even a second and utilizing a quick setup time to keep the venue jumping.

When a band so unique comes to the Chill House, it's impossible to miss out on seeing them. Sets of this caliber are a frequent must at the venue, and Brutalize are the perfect band for any punk fans who enjoy something even heavier than what they usually engage in; they're the perfect, all-rounded mix.

To see the band on video, click HERE

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Dredge the River were the third and final band before Assailant's headlining set, and they were one of the kindest, most refreshingly down to earth groups of people I have ever met. Never have I seen so much generosity from a band before, and their involvement of their children and families was exceptionally refreshing to see - their sense of humanity and community throughout their interactions and set were unforgettable, and they were one of the bands that made the night as special as it was.

The band's interaction with the crowd was top-notch, and their sound was the kind that you feel in your chest; heavy, unrestrained, and completely full of energy. Getting to see two bands that are deeper in the scene back to back was an incredible treat all around, and they set the stage for Assailant to take very well. 

Their long form songs allowed for mosh pits to steadily form and ride out throughout their entire set, and their deeply heavy and aggressive sound is something you can catch again at the Chill House on March 29th - a show hosted by Hold the Mustard and a massive spectacle that no metal fans should miss out on.

A massive thanks to the members of Dredge the River for communicating with me so kindly and giving me some merchandise for the road - I appreciate the kindness of all of you incredibly, and they're a band that everyone should check out for blasting riffs and down to earth members.

To see the band captured in footage, see HERE

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Assailant hit the stage heavy with a new and revamped sound that they worked to perfect and practice through their short absence from the Chill House - they came out with a sound that you can tell they practiced hard, and they will always be one of the biggest gems of the local scene. 

The band has branched out deeply to perform in other cities (largely Vancouver), and their sound has become even more refined with new music and a new, largely instrumental based sound that made up their set. They played both familiar and brand new material, and getting to hear them play new songs made the night even more incredible.

Each member was incredibly focused and brought their own unique energy to the stage, with each of them having unique styles that radiate off of each other incredibly well - resulting in a sound and a band that has a unique sense of charisma and unforgettable performances no matter how many times you see them take the stage. 

This night had what was without a doubt one of their most sharp sets yet, and it was one of their absolute best performances. It feels as if they have come out of their shells, interacting with fans more and performing their absolute best throughout their short but mighty set. 

To see the band in action, click HERE

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A huge thanks to everyone who keeps the Chill House running, to Jessica Dozois (girlswithfilm) for being so kind and photographing these incredible shows while sharing the space and allowing for me to capture footage, and to Jen and both Tyler's for running the place so smoothly and safely for patrons. 

More goes on behind the scenes of these shows than many people account for, and I work hard to make sure that these shows are covered from the most up-close and honest lens possible. Everyone involved with setting up and ensuring that everything is delivered to the audience deserves props, and everyone working at the venue is incredibly kind and well-suited in everything they do. 

You won't find a better sense of community or a better place to spend your weekends, and the Chill House is one of the most deeply important pieces of Chilliwack without any doubts.

Don't miss out on upcoming shows at the Chill House, and check back in here to find even more show publicity and articles in regards to the incredible nights hosted at the venue!