“Due to unforeseen circumstances, Unhinged fest is canceling in its current form at the National Western Stockyards,” the post announced. “We’re keeping the party alive with some massive shows at Denver’s best clubs, featuring some of your favorite Unhinged artists.”
The festival is retaining some of the headliners, who will now perform at the Ogden Theatre and Mission Ballroom. On Saturday, July 26, the Dillinger Escape Plan, Converge, Sanguisugabogg, Khemmis and Suicide Cages will be at the Mission on a more metalcore-driven lineup. Power Trip, Gatecreeper, Castle Rat, 200 Stab Wounds and Nailed Shut MA will invade the Ogden the following night, bringing the death and thrash. And "new club shows will be announced soon," according to the statement. That means there is still a chance that Knocked Loose, Lamb of God, Body Count (aka Ice T’s longtime metal band), In This Moment or Terror, among several others, may make it for Denver dates.
According to the release, previous Unhinged ticketholders will be refunded at the original point of purchase and will receive a loyalty presale code for the rescheduled shows before tickets for the new Unhinged two-fer go on sale at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, July 9.
There is no word yet on whether the previously planned, self-contained tattoo expo and daily beer tastings are still happening; neither was mentioned in the announcement. Same goes for the “circumstances” that caused the decision to cut back on the inaugural Denver outdoor metal fest, a collaboration between Brew Ha Ha Productions and AEG Rocky Mountains.
The organizers have not returned a request for comment; any additional information will be shared as it becomes available.
Denver metalcorers Suicide Cages are stoked to be on a bill with the Dillinger Escape Plan and Converge.
Courtesy Ethan Cook
When the newly minted Unhinged team announced its plans to bring the event here in March, the news was met with enthusiasm in the alternative community. “The first reaction was like, ‘Holy shit, man, this is insane,’” says Devin Rombough, the jacked-up vocalist of Suicide Cages, who adds that the band immediately agreed to be a part of it, even before all the details were eventually ironed out.
The chaos kings of Mile High metalcore have a new EP, Live Without (released Monday, July 7, via Fort Collins independent label Braeburn Records), that Rombough, drummer Andrew Richo, Mhyk Monroe and bassist Matt Rinehart are excited to share. The four songs, including recently released singles “Exit Interview” and “Tongues of Hell,” are sure to sound right at home on a bill supporting mathcore masters Dillinger and metalcore OGs Converge.
“It’s a huge deal for us. We’re super fortunate,” Rombough says. “We’re playing with two of the biggest bands in our genre.”
Brew Ha Ha Productions is known for putting on big alternative gatherings. The California-based independent music festival producer is also behind the nationwide Punk in the Park fests (the Denver edition is still set for Friday, July 18, through Sunday, July 20, at the Stockyards, Westword confirmed) and teamed up with NOFX for the Punk In Drublic presents NOFX Final Tour in 2023-24.
It's too early to know if Unhinged will regroup and make a run at a larger format next summer. But in the meantime, the shows will go on this year — just not as originally intended.
“Thanks for sticking with us,” the statement concluded. “See ya in the pit!”
Unhinged, 5 p.m. Saturday, July 26, Mission Ballroom, 4242 Wynkoop Street, and Sunday, July 27, Ogden Theatre, 935 East Colfax Avenue. Tickets are $75.
