The Dillinger Escape Plan at Mission Ballroom

Jul 30

Show Review

On 7/26/2027 The Dillinger Escape plan shook Mission Ballroom in Denver Colorado to its very bones with help from Suicide Cages, Khemmis, Sanguisugabogg, and Converge. This show was a replacement for day one of the highly anticipated Unhinged Fest.

Denver’s own dealers of Doom, Khemmis, took the stage at The Mission Ballroom to a welcome fit for hometown heroes. Without any preamble or introduction (it clearly was not needed) they kicked off their set and ripped through roughly 40 minutes of crushing doom metal. As great as they sounded, the best part of their set was how much fun they were clearly having. They used every inch of that large stage with flair and theatrics that drew the entire room into their performance. I can’t wait to see them play again.

Sanguisugabogg may be the heaviest band I have ever seen play live. Their performance was enjoyably brutal and unrelenting. Halfway through their set is when the room really came alive. Vocalist Devin Swank wasn’t satisfied with the lack of action in the pit and let everyone know it. As a result, the room erupted. Their stage presence and intensity would have made them an extremely difficult act to follow for any band, however, Converge was up next and made short work of pummeling The Mission Ballroom.

While Converge needed no introduction, vocalist Jacob Bannon started their set with this request of the crowd, “We’re a pretty weird band, just go with it.” The now full Mission Ballroom did indeed “go with it.” A headliner in their own right, Bannon and company, were frenetic. Their performance was beautifully arranged chaos from start to finish. It’s a band you have to see live to be able to truly appreciate their art. I feel extremely fortunate to have been able to do so.

This performance is truly difficult to put into words. Despite a significant hiatus, Dillinger’s set was raw and powerful. They clearly had not lost a step. In fact, they may be better than ever. They played over an hour’s worth of songs spanning nearly their entire catalog to the delight of everyone in attendance.

The fact that fans, until very recently, couldn’t be sure if they would ever get the chance to see the original lineup again live added a special electricity to their show. It was a truly special night for those lucky enough to have attended and well worth the wait.

By Brock Marlborough

Suicide Cages

Suicide Cages is a rising Denver-based band that pulls from sludge, hardcore, and noise rock influences. While still early in their career, they’ve gained traction in the local heavy scene for their raw live energy and uncompromising sound. Their music leans toward the abrasive and experimental, offering something for fans of underground and boundary-pushing heavy music. Wish we could have made it to see their set live, nonetheless they are worth checking out.

Khemmis

Hailing from Denver, Colorado, Khemmis blends traditional doom metal with melodic elements and clean vocals. Their 2016 album Hunted was named one of the best metal albums of the year by Rolling Stone, and they’ve since released multiple critically acclaimed records on labels like 20 Buck Spin and Nuclear Blast. Known for their rich guitar harmonies and emotionally resonant songwriting, they appeal to fans of both classic and modern heavy metal.

Sanguisugabogg

Emerging from Columbus, Ohio in 2019, Sanguisugabogg plays a brutal and groove-heavy style of death metal. Their debut Tortured Whole and follow-up Homicidal Ecstasy helped cement their place in the wave of newer death metal bands pushing the genre’s boundaries. With a mix of grim humor, horror-inspired themes, and punishing riffs, they’ve become a staple on extreme metal festival lineups.

Converge

Converge is a foundational band in modern hardcore and metalcore, originating from Salem, Massachusetts in the early 1990s. With their 2001 album Jane Doe, they earned critical acclaim and set a new benchmark for emotional intensity and innovation in heavy music. Guitarist Kurt Ballou is also a sought-after producer, and vocalist Jacob Bannon is known for his distinct visual art. Converge continues to influence a wide range of bands across the hardcore and metal spectrum.

The Dillinger Escape Plan

Formed in 1997 in New Jersey, The Dillinger Escape Plan quickly became one of the most influential bands in experimental heavy music. Known for their complex song structures, technical precision, and intense live shows, they helped define the mathcore genre. Albums like Calculating Infinity and Miss Machine are widely regarded as landmarks in extreme music. After disbanding in 2017, the group reunited in 2024 to perform select shows, drawing renewed interest from both longtime fans and a new generation.