Live Review: Unto Others at Concord Hall • Chicago
Unto Others
October 15, 2026
Concord Hall
Chicago, IL
Sometimes you don’t want metal that’s flashy, gimmicky, or a fusion of five different genres. Sometimes you just want music you can rock the fuck out to. Luckily, that’s exactly what Portland’s Unto Others delivered during their set opening for Castle Rat at Concord Music Hall this past Thursday. No frills, no pyro, no flashing lights or special effects. Just four insanely talented guys doing what they do best. And the sold-out crowd loved every minute of it.
Unto Others embody the spirit of old-school ‘80s metal: blazing solos, twin-guitar harmonies, and full-on aggression. The crowd ate up their dark and violent, yet tongue-in-cheek lyrics and big, searing riffs. Fans moshed, headbanged, and dutifully held up their devil horns throughout the band’s set. Their 11-song setlist spanned their discography, featuring songs“Butterfly,” “Jackie,” “Heroin,” “When Will God’s Work Be Done,” and “Nightfall.” The band’s performance was so powerful and heavy that fans kept thrashing during the mellow songs.
The band may not be flashy, but they’ll blow you away with their skill. Frontman/guitarist Gabriel Franco is a powerhouse who easily switches between guttural roars and melodic harmonies. Bassist Brandon Hill and drummer Colin Vranizali fired up the crowd with thunderous grooves, while lead guitarist Sebastian Silva dominated the stage with searing solos. Every time he stepped into the spotlight, the crowd cheered loudly.
They closed their set with the roaring “No Children Laughing Now,” urging the crowd to go wild one more time. Anyone unfamiliar with the band at the start of the night walked away a fan by the end of the set. People buzzed with excitement after the band walked off stage, with many saying how much they enjoyed the set while others ran to the merch booth to grab albums. Unto Others are a force to be reckoned with on stage. They’re a tight-knit group, beasts behind their instruments. They create music that’s real, raw, and powerful, the kind people still crave.
– Ashley Perez – Hollingsworth
Category: Featured, Live Reviews
