- ACID BATH w/ High on Fire + Weedeater
- 12/12/2025 - Salt Shed - Chicago, Illinois
- © Justin Nuoffer
A frigid and windy day in Chicago, IL was the place to be for every metalhead. No matter how cold it was or how much snow fell, the line formed early. Tonight was something special and long awaited: Acid Bath’s return to the Windy City. The Salt Shed is one of the most unique and beloved music venues in the Midwest. The building was once the old Morton Salt warehouse, which makes the name obvious. A massive gate blocks the open courtyard, which also acts as a venue space during the summer. Next to the main gate is a small restaurant filled with fans grabbing post-work drinks.
Once the gates opened, guests were escorted through the courtyard to a set of doors where tickets were checked. Upon entering, small boutique stores sit to the right, while all available tour merchandise is displayed to the left. The hardwood flooring is clearly refurbished, but the history remains apparent and radiant. Turning left leads into the main room. The stage sits straight ahead behind a security barrier. It stands a few feet off the ground and is massive, with plenty of room for the spread-out gear. The venue is exquisite.
Kicking off this night of comebacks and heaviness were Weedeater. The stoner metal band from Tennessee casually took the stage to a rowdy Chicago crowd and proceeded to lay down the slow and heavy.
With drinks in hand, they cheered the audience a few times. They were well aware this was a celebration. With founder Dave “Dixie” Collins on vocals and bass, the room rumbled and rattled. His deep and scratchy vocals accompanied the low end, merging perfectly.
On guitar, Dave Shepherd kept the riffs creeping along at a steady pace, but in an instant, he unleashed thrash-like shredding. With his hat over his eyes, his emotion was contained and locked in. On drums, Ramzi Ateyeh was a machine. His arms looked like they slung smoothly over his head and down. His kit had a perfect snare sound, clear and clean with every snap.
Check out the Weedeater concert photo gallery below:
The band pulled out tracks like “God Luck and Good Speed,” “Weed Monkey,” and “Wizard Fight.” The weed metallers came and delivered an opening set that heated the room and set the tone.
Purveyors of heaviness, High on Fire are no strangers to performing in front of massive crowds. From the very first note, they were right at home. Matt Pike, frontman and guitarist, took the stage and ripped straight into “Burning Down” with no time wasted. His guitar riffs and playing are pure magic. He lays down a groove and runs with it. Moving back and forth from his mic stand on the right side of the stage to his cabinet, Pike commanded the room.
During “Fertile Green” and “Rumors of War,” he began exploring the stage more. He and Jeff Matz met center stage and played off each other, showcasing impressive showmanship. Matz was not afraid to step onto the front ledge of the stage and play while fans extended their arms toward him. Their sound was tight even with a fill-in drummer. They were a well-oiled machine, and all of the fuel burned cleanly.
Check out the High on Fire concert photo gallery here:
Very quickly, they had the floor in a frenzy, and it exploded during “Hung, Drawn & Quartered.” The barricade shook from the movement. Pike’s vocals were strong and powerful. High on Fire were everything one could ask for. Closing with “Fury Whip,” “Snake for the Divine,” and “Darker Fleece,” the muscle and energy the band had saved was unleashed in a final surge. The jam-packed venue took a beating and kept going. The straightforward metal approach of High on Fire captivated and made them the perfect support band for what was to come.
The stage lights dimmed. Fog rolled across the stage. A massive screen above the back of the stage illuminated with TV white noise as “Bonus Poem” began playing. Acid Bath took the stage to monstrous applause. The spacious venue was packed beyond capacity, and all eyes were locked on the stage.
Mike Sanchez and Sammy “Pierre” Duet launched into the famed intro to “Tranquilized,” and the eruption from the crowd was unmatched by anything else that night. The lights shifted with the time signatures, and the mood was overbearing and oppressive. This was the Acid Bath fans had waited thirty years for. Expectations were sky-high and surpassed immediately. The setlist itself was a spectacle. Opening with “Tranquilized” could not have been stronger, but “Bleed Me an Ocean” elevated the atmosphere even further. Every word was sung back as voices echoed off the metal roofing.
The moment was stunning and continued as Dax Riggs dedicated “Venus Blue” to fallen friend Audie Pitre. Bathed in blue lighting and fog, the slow-building and chilling song resonated deeply. Fans young and old sang words written nearly thirty years ago. The band’s rise in popularity over time is difficult to comprehend, but the heart of Acid Bath’s sound remains fresh and unmatched. Sludge, death metal, blues, and doom metal combine seamlessly, and Riggs’ vocal melodies stand alone. The band pushed deeper into the night with “The Bones of Baby Dolls” and “Dead Girl,” followed by “Old Skin” as an intermission. They played nearly thirty-five minutes straight with astonishing power and efficiency.
After the brief pause, Acid Bath kept the mood dark and doom-filled with “New Death Sensation.” The slow and oppressive track struck exactly as intended. Their passion for material created decades ago was obvious and carried into “Graveflowers.” Sanchez and Duet were once again masterful, with intricate string work echoing across the ears of 3,600 fans experiencing this live for the first time. Bit by bit, the band moved into heavier and gloomier territory. Bassist Shane Wesley and drummer Zack Simmons fit in fluidly, giving the impression of longtime members. Their contributions were seamless and essential.
As the night moved into its final stretch, it felt like the band was just getting started. “Scream of the Butterfly” confirmed they were exactly where they needed to be. Riggs’ vocal manipulations were pinpoint, and the sea of fans sang along word for word. Hearing it live struck a deep emotional chord. This was not an album. This was happening in real time. The connection between band and audience was undeniable. Riggs thanked the crowd with a quick “Gracias” before they launched into the sludge-heavy chaos of “Paegan Love Song.” The circle pit erupted, bodies flying as if the moment had been anticipated all night. Crowd surfers emerged from deep in the floor.
The chaos carried into the final break, where Sammy Duet thanked Chicago and mentioned the band had designed the year to end here. As applause erupted, Acid Bath launched into “Dr. Seuss Is Dead.” The adrenaline rush paired with bleak lows created uncontrollable surges throughout the room. With Duet’s encouragement, the final moments drove the point home as Sanchez delivered a wicked solo. Then it was over. The crowd chanted “Acid Bath” as picks, sticks, and setlists were tossed out.
Check out the Acid Bath concert photo gallery here:
The night was ultimately about the vocal power of Dax Riggs, which was on full display. The haunting reverberations of his voice carried through the venue. His cool and calm demeanor remained a cornerstone of his live presence. His silhouette became the focal point at center stage, surrounded by fluctuating static visuals. The creativity and planning elevated the performance. Acid Bath was back at full strength.
With two albums, When the Kite String Pops and Paegan Love Songs, reaching cult status decades ago, the songs were deeply familiar to the crowd. The live show was simple and effective, with the spirit of the material fully alive. Whether new music comes next is unknown, but for now, this moment is enough. Their legacy is intact and growing. The youth have found the band, blending seamlessly with longtime fans. The front rail was packed with kids, proving Acid Bath’s future is stronger than ever. The next stop on this mythical comeback is Milwaukee Metal Fest in June. If you have not seen them yet, make the trip.
Catch Acid Bath on the Road…
