With Riot Fest slated to kick off its 20th iteration in Chicago later this week, a preview of the notoriously eclectic and distinctly entertaining festival seems in order. And while this year’s lineup might seem a little heavy on the pop-punk/accessible tip, there are at least a few crushingly heavy bands peppered into the mix for good measure. Knocked Loose is probably the king of the “big font” lot, but if you glance a little further down Friday’s bill, you will find another band tailor-made for hardcore moshpit enthusiasts: Harm’s Way.
Indeed, these (aptly titled) hometown heroes specialize in the type of uncompromisingly brutal, rhythm-heavy hardcore (with occasional industrial-metal flourishes) that is guaranteed to incite a swirl of stomping boots and flailing arms at Douglas Park Friday. For a taste of what’s in store, checkout this clip of them tearing it up at the Franklin Music Hall in Philly from 2019:
