HOLD THE MUSTARD PRESENTS: The HONOR BY ASSOCIATION TOUR In Chilliwack with Plague Doctor, Muscle Crowe, Tortion, and nobody.

The first Saturday of spring break at the Chill House was a night to remember, with a memorable lineup full of thrashing bands making for a heavy headbanging spectacle. 

A distinctive blend of genres and sounds made the night especially unforgettable, with an incredible start that was ahead of schedule that helped to close the show off at the perfect time for patrons. 

In traditional Chill House fashion, the venue was managed wonderfully. Respectful people, incredibly organized and helpful staff, and a friendly atmosphere that blends aggression and heavy music with community and kindheartedness. The energy was lively and continued throughout the entire night, and many memories were made through positive, bustling socialization throughout. 

Bands were incredibly well organized and hosted exceptionally by Hold the Mustard, while the usual Chill House staff helped to keep the venue safe and fun for everyone in attendance. The atmosphere of this night made it one of the best shows to ever grace the venue, and bringing in talents from cities in the Fraser Valley and beyond is what Hold the Mustard does best; with this variety helping to add even more life to the already bustling venue in Downtown Chilliwack.

The HONOR BY ASSOCIATION TOUR ran for an iconic leg throughout British Columbia, with the stop in Chilliwack providing the area with some hard-hitting, fast-paced metal music for the night, starting off with punk and ending off with mixed-genre madness. It was a show that was incredibly well advertised, as all of the bands marketed themselves through exceptional performances and prior promo that helped to sell the show very well. The turnout for the night was full of energy, with a fun and respectful crowd making it a highly enjoyable show that kept things incredibly packed full of energy the entire night. 

It was a night of nonstop riffs and deeply heavy music, and the genres spanned from Thrash Punk all the way to nonstop Deathcore. Each band made every second of their set unforgettable, and having a night full of such major talents is a beyond words impressive feat. 

-------------------------------------------------

nobody. opened up the night in a way that every opening act should strive to meet. Their energy was immediately infectious, egging the crowd on and showcasing the personality of the band members through banter and exceptionally striking stage presence that made them an immediate force in the building. The band came out swinging, and their impact was felt throughout the entire venue.

Their energy was immediately infectious, with catchy and riffy songs making up their entire set that was backed by humour and high-energy banter, with the lead vocalist, Figg, jumping around the stage and showcasing the energy of the band's music through a highly  physical performance style that made nobody. an unstoppable wave of energy that surged through the walls of the Chill House. The minute they took the stage, the energy in the venue was completely electrified, with their sound being a mix of thrash metal and punk elements that create a deeply enjoyable blend of fun and heavy in every way imaginable.

The set was nonstop. Any gaps between songs were used to get the crowd going even harder, and the result was a thrashing set that was almost whiplash inducing with the band's energy. Their music is an exceptional mix of both loud and fast, and being near the speakers is one of the best places to be for a nobody. set, as their sound is sure to make your ears ring and your feet move as you are engulfed by their flames of energy. The band was on fire throughout the entire set, and never once did that flame of talent, passion, and energy even stutter. 

Every member of the band is highly unique in their own right, with different styles and fashion that made them stand out immediately - something that made their set even more memorable as each member stood out from one another. Figg is one of the most high-energy vocalists you can find in the scene, with his relentless energy being shocking to see in person; he sings loud and hard all while showcasing his energy through jumping and dancing throughout his performances, and it's something that makes nobody. one of the best punk bands in the British Columbia scene. 

The band is eccentric in the best way. They are unapologetically themselves, and it's something that makes seeing them live so incredibly refreshing.

Opening up the night with amazing thrash punk alongside humor and some of the most extreme performance energy I have ever seen at a show made for a great exercise in warming the crowd; as they set a high bar and an overwhelming energy for the other bands on the bill to follow suit with. The band helped to bring momentum to the night with their opening set being one of the biggest peaks of energy for the night - and the show was just getting started. 

Their self titled album, Nobody. was performed from front-to-back in its entirety - an enthralling surprise that built even more excitement for their set. The album's content was incredibly fit for the bill, with carefree and aggressive lyrics being the perfect match for bands like Tortion and Muscle Crowe - the two touring bands of the night. 

When it comes to vocals, nobody. blends a distinct mix of fast, punk-styled shouts and thrash metal squeals, blending the two genres into one heavy fusion that sends the band out swinging the minute they hit the stage. They're an absolute staple in the Fraser Valley punk scene, and catching them live is one of the best things you could possibly do if you are a punk fan - especially if you're both a punk and a metalhead at the same time. The band blends punk aesthetics and styles with a distinct metal crossover style laced into their sound and appearance, and it's something that sets them apart from other bands in an instant.

Their songs are short, quick, and heavy - something that makes them instantly engaging. Their music is something that needs no introduction, because the band speaks for themselves and makes their presence apparent within the blink of an eye. 

By the end of their set, the band had the crowd completely immersed and singing along to their final song, NOBODY, where fans sung along to the heavy chorus that painted a punk message of mixed meanings to showcase the charisma and pure style of the band. Their set was an absolute spectacle, and they helped to provide an energy boost to the Chill House in order to make room for the other three bands on the bill, all of whom continued to rock the night away. 

To see them in action on camera, look no further than HERE and HERE 

-------------------------------------------------

Tortion are a band that is larger than life, with a massive lineup of members and an immediately aggressive and harsh stage presence that makes them perfect for the metal scene. The band was immediately deep into their songs, not missing a beat and playing a continuous set that mixed heaviness with complexity. 

The band's heavy, death metal influenced sound helped to change up the genre for the night, shifting it over from punk to hardcore metal in what felt like an instant. The band was exceptionally organized and got started very quickly after the opening set, which made for a night that ran exceptionally smoothly, with Tortion being a striking set of performers that all stand out immediately and create something full of teamwork and prowess for their work. 

The band's focused set and style made for an impressive feat, showcasing the strong power of the band and their talents all laid out into a massively heavy set that reigned in various different sounds to create a style that is entirely unique to the band - their individuality is strong, and it was made apparent almost immediately as they took the stage.

Strong, snarling vocals are something that make Tortion such a memorable band in the Canadian hall of fame when it comes to the metal scene, using a style that blends harsh death metal vocals with thrash elements to create something dark, heavy, and extreme. The band's energy is relentless teamwork that creates an immediate atmosphere surrounding the band, blending their influences into a crossover sound that mixes old-school metal sounds with a modern day appeal that is impossible to pass up on.

You won't find better sound quality from the band than what you hear live, and getting to hear them in their element up close is something no metal fan should miss out on - especially with the road to success that the band is driving along. Their nonstop headbanging and complex solos alongside a guttural vocal palate make them the complete trifecta of metal sounds, and their set was another smash hit for the night, with their energy providing something new and exciting to the Chill House stage. 

The clear distinction between musical pieces and the respective instruments of each members made their set feel sharp and truly focused, with their sound being tightly woven to create something packed full of the heaviest sounds imaginable. Their complex and well-catered sound is something rare to come across, and the usage of deeply layered instruments and thrashing death metal sounds made for another exploration into the highest energy possible for the night.

Tortion have a massive presence that is brought to the stage, and they brought it in absolute full-force for the Chill House on Saturday, with their practices breaking the barriers of sound and metal. 

Between songs, the lead vocalist was incredible at engaging the crowd further through quips, comments, and great humorous remarks that kept their set fluid rather than being one static performance. The amount of skills shown amongst the band members throughout their set was exceptional, and their original songs were blended in with a cover of Slayer's Angel of Death to make for a completely unforgettable experience that was appealing for both die-hard metalheads and those looking for something heavy.

A nonstop flow of heavy energy had the crowd of the night incredibly energetic, and you could see the genuine enjoyment radiating off of everyone on the floor during their performance that was incredibly refreshing and brightening to see. 

Their songs were long, allowing for them to ride out and make for perfect pit-smashing anthems. These long songs allowed for complex solos and riffs to shine without restriction, and their fluidity is something that made their performance such an important and striking part of the night, with songs from their upcoming EP building up excitement towards the release as they toured alongside Muscle Crowe. 

Tortion are a band that knows how to throw down and serve up the energy right, and their Chill House set proved it by tenfold. With them on the stage, the Chill House wasn't so chill anymore - it was a full blown multi-genre metal spectacle for the ages.

Great crowd control allowed for the set's well-structured manner to truly take form, as the audience helped to engage with the band's material and make it stick. The energy was truly infectious, and Tortion are a band that might just need a spot on your bucket list.

To see the band captured on camera, see HERE

-------------------------------------------------

The crown of Metalcore has been passed down to Muscle Crowe, as their 2010's-based influences have helped to pass the torch onto them through their heavy, guttural music that made for one of the best sets that the Chill House has ever seen.

Rarely is Metalcore so sharply worked on and turned into something as striking as the music that Muscle Crowe creates, but they've made their own world - and we're all just living in it. Their reign on the night was truly shocking in its quality, and nothing could have prepared me for the sheer quality and heaviness that was displayed by the band. 

Muscle Crowe are without a doubt the best, most striking Metalcore band I have ever heard, and they brought a nonstop energy to the Chill House that sealed the deal that this show was one of the most unforgettable shows hosted at the venue.

The band worked to have great interactions with the crowd, and the members are all incredible people that are more than worth talking to and learning more about. The experience of their set was heightened by how truly kind and down to earth the people within the band are, and their nonstop energy was heavy and aggressive despite the band members' kind hearts and genuine appreciation for their fans, the audience, and the spaces in which they perform in. 

Their set was made up of growling vocals, guttural screams, and sharp instrumentals that brought the entire band together as one of the most potent Metalcore acts in years - rarely is a band so exceptionally put together, organized, and focused in their craft; but Muscle Crowe check every box while still managing to think outside of it in every moment.

The performance was truly infectious and immersive, with the band's captivating song structures and heavy onslaught of Metalcore madness lighting the Chill House stage ablaze during their time on it. Their sound is shockingly heavy - even moreso than what one might expect, and it's something that you must experience live to hear every nook and cranny of the band's deeply practiced sound. You can hear the care and dedication within each and every loud riff, and their sound is something that is completely awe-inspiring and absorbing.

When a band is able to take their influences above and beyond in the way that Muscle Crowe have applied to their music - they are destined for success in every way possible. Their performance at the Chill House was something that was truly enlightening to who they are as performers on stage, and their presence is something that can never be forgotten.

Muscle Crowe were a band that helped to move the crowd forward, getting them moving and helping to wrap the night up before Plague Doctor took on the headlining role for the show, adding one final boom to the already exceptional night of bands that can not be topped.

Footage of the band can be found HERE

-------------------------------------------------

Plague Doctor ended the night off with a bang - and not just a small one, either. 

It's shocking to think that some of the highest energy of the night came from the very last band for the show, but Plague Doctor are a band that are meant to headline. Their energy is something that makes the crowd move through singer-formed mosh pits and exceptionally high-energy songs, and the band is one of the most important treasures of the local scene in the Fraser Valley. 

Part of why the band works so well is that they have been friends for years - and that came first before working together. At their core, Plague Doctor are just a group of friends jamming together and rocking out night after night. The members of the band are all incredibly unique characters that are wonderful to interact with, and they're a deeply, truly funny band that knows how to rock and bring the energy to the stage wherever they go - with their showcase of skill and harsh grooves gracing the Chill House yet again.

The members of the band are very fun and down to earth, and this showed through their set on Saturday - as it was a set that they made sure to have fun with. The vocalist cracked jokes, engaged with the crowd in comedic moments, and created mosh pits by singing down on the floor while the band backed him and created heavy harmonies from the stage.

Seeing the band members in their element while they were genuinely having fun and making sure not to take themselves too seriously was something so beyond refreshing - as it's rare to come across such a truly fun and humble band that does music for the sake of fun rather than for competition or show. Their showmanship comes from the heart, and it's a genuine love for music that keeps them whole. 

Their set at the Chill House is something that no one in attendance will ever forget. It was a completely unforgettable spectacle where everything came together exceptionally well, and their mixed-genre set allowed for the band to create an even more deeply memorable experience that truly resonated with the crowd on a large scale. 

One aspect that made their performance stand out even more was their incredibly unique guitar tones and experimental aspects when it came to different sonic elements and a massive caliber of guitar pedals that were mind-blowing to see and hear in person. Their performance was heightened by their refusal to be kept into a box of just one genre, and their style is so unique to them that it warrants its own genre. Their varied song structures make for an interesting set, and the addition of new material by the band gave fans something to look forward to on all fronts. 

Each and every member of the band is exceptionally talented in what they do. Intense, sharp drumming, mind blowing guitars, and earth shattering vocals make up the band, and this was reflected in their floor-shaking set at the Chill House that was unapologetically "them" at every turn. The expressiveness of the band was incredible to see from close up, and they ended the night off in an unforgettable manner. 

It's deeply refreshing to see such great teamwork and knowledge within a band. Each band member has their own unique qualities, talents, and niches that help to create a band that is highly versatile and full of fun, and their set was without a doubt the biggest energy surge of the night that left the show off in good taste with a fun, happy atmosphere closing off another incredible night at the Chill House. 

This is a show that no one who attended it will forget, and Plague Doctor were one of the driving forces in ensuring that the show will stick in people's minds forever.

Footage of the band can be found HERE, and my on-site interview with the band can be found HERE 

--------------------------------------------

You can't go wrong with a Hold the Mustard show, and the Chill House is always sure to please. If you're looking for something to do this spring break or during the weekends, there's no better place to get your entertainment. 

This show was absolutely stellar, and the team behind it made it possible.

Thank you to Hold the Mustard productions for hosting the show and organizing the bands, as well as for helping me with promo and other duties alongside the team. 

A massive thanks to all of the bands on the bill; nobody., Tortion, Muscle Crowe, and Plague Doctor for all being absolutely incredible with wicked sets and wildly positive vibes that made the night another special one. 

Visit the Chill House if you can - if you're in the Chilliwack area or just looking for a good time, there will be no fun quite as grand as a show at the Chill House. They're perfect for crowds of all ages - and a great big thank you goes out to everyone behind the venue; Jen & Tyler (Ferguson) for running the doors and providing the best, most kindhearted and heartwarming service to guest, and to everyone behind the scenes ensuring that the quality of the sound and venue are top-notch at every show. Props to Tyler (Ollenberger) for keeping the scene alive by running the venue under such impeccable ownership! 

Show hosted by Hold the Mustard Productions, for booking information and inquires, contact holdthemustardproductions@gmail.com

For interview requests or questions, comment directly here or seek the contact form on the site.