Trinity Of Terror : Part 1

Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom | April 2, 2022 Written & Photographed by: Brandi Lyn

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Black Veil Brides, Ice Nine Kills, and Motionless In White (w/ opener Lilith Czar)

As cold and rainy as it was in Chicago IL - The crowd of people standing in line couldn’t have looked happier. With their faces made up with war paint from their favorite artists and costumes from their favorite horror movies, fans wrapped around the outside of the Aragon Ballroom waiting for the clock to strike 5 pm and the doors to finally open.

Lilith Czar

Opening up the show, Lilith Czar’s band takes place as Lilith’s voice speaks beyond the crowd from the monologue of "Intro Poem", the first track of her newest album “Created from Filth and Dust”. 

As the intro came to an end, Lilith Czar entered the stage, following with their song 'Feed My Chaos'. Dressed head to toe in a black outfit; black shorts and a black bra top with a black sheer coverup top and black sheer long gloves.

For Lilith’s fifth song she performs her cover of Stevie Nicks 'Edge of Seventeen'. Ending with a cheering crowd. Asking how many women were in the crowd, Lilith goes on to say, “Tonight you are kings,” before performing her song "King".

Lilith Czar, who was formerly known as Juliet Simms, up until 2021, when she “killed” off her former self and rebranded as Lilith Czar. Completely changing everything about who she used to be, from the style of music to the style of clothing - even switching out the blonde hair for black.

In her music video for 'All American' from her 2020 EP “Descent”, You see Juliet Simms burn in a fire. Knowing now that it was her way of “killing off” her former self and becoming what we see now, as Lilith Czar.

Lilith explains in her 2021 song "King", that she wants to be “king” in a “man’s world” - and she’s not taking “No” as an answer.

“If it’s a man’s world, I wanna be king. If it’s a man’s world, I don’t wanna be queen.” - King

Lilith, according to Jewish Mythology, was also created from the dust and the earth, just as Adam was, making them equal. Lilith refused to lie beneath and submit to Adam. Lilith becoming the “ultimate symbol of all that is demonized within the traditional patriarchal society: chaos, seduction, and ungodliness”.

Czar, meaning Emperor (or king). “One having great power or authority”.

Lilith Czar, just like Lilith, was born equally and that’s exactly what she wants to be. If Adam can be king, why couldn’t Lilith?

Motionless In White

Up next, Motionless In White takes the stage, wearing all black with white face paint. Walking out with the band, a man in an all-white outfit and a white mask with a blood-red spiral on the forehead of the mask, holding up a book (I assume to be a bible) to the crowd. Causing the crowd to scream louder as Motionless In White began to play their song 'Thoughts and Prayers' from their 2019 album “Disguise”.

During their 2014 song "Reincarnate", the guy in all white with the mask came back out with a giant gun and sprayed the crowd with water. 

Motionless In White mostly played songs from their 2017 album “Graveyard Shift” with songs such as 'Necessary Evil', 'Voices', 'Soft', 'Rats', and ending the show with 'Eternally Yours'.

Before playing their newest song "Cyberhex" from the upcoming Album, “Scoring The End Of The World” (Coming out June 10th), Chris Motionless stops the show to inform the crowd that the Aragon Ballroom was packed with 47 hundred people, being a Sold Out show!

“I don’t know if you have taken a look around, Chicago. But too to bottom, you motherfuckers are 47 hundred people strong, sold the fuck out tonight." - Chris Motionless

Mentioning that Chicago has always been an amazing experience every time they have come through.

“Chicago has historically been a fucking amazing experience every single time that we come through. Every time for this band.”

Chris also mentioned that over the course of the Trinity of Terror Tour, they have asked the crowd to be a part of their upcoming music video. Asking the crowd to yell “We’re not afraid”.

Motionless In White also performed their cover of 'Somebody Told Me' by The Killers and finished their set with 'Eternally Yours'.

During the last song, Chris grabs a handful of red roses to throw to the crowd, but not before stopping and handing a rose to a 7-year-old boy holding a sign saying...

“Hi Chris, I’m Johnny. I’m 7 & autistic. I’m your #1 fan. This is my first show. I **heart** Motionless In White!”

Black Veil Brides

Black Veil Brides was next to take the stage. Starting off with their intro song 'The Phantom Tomorrow' from their 2021 Album (with the same name title) "The Phantom Tomorrow". The fans screamed as the intro to their set begins to play. Showing off their revamped BVB logo on the screen. 

Drummer “CC” (Christian Coma) comes out on stage first. Followed by Jake Pitts, Jinxx, Kyle Leblanc (who is covering for Lonny Eagleton), and lastly Andy Biersack (Also known as Andy Black and Formerly known as Andy Sixx). Coming out in all black and their black “war paint” on their faces. First performing their 2014 song "Faithless".

Black Veil Brides played a variety of songs from each of their albums. Going as far back as 2010 with their songs such as 'All Your Hate' and everyone’s favorite, 'Knives and Pens'. Only playing two songs from their newest album “The Phantom Tomorrow” - 'Crimson Skies' and 'Scarlett Cross'.

Black Veil Brides’ music is for the “Outcasts”, the people who feel different or are judged for being different. Giving people motivation to not change who they are and give in to what people say.

“This record is for the outcasts Following our stories of Love, life, and never giving in. We are the Black Veil Brides” - The Outcasts

Black Veil Brides also performed their songs 'Shadows Die' and 'In The End' from their 2013 album “Wretched and Divine”. A concept album based on 'Fear and Shadows'.

F.E.A.R standing for Every and All Religion. The people who want to get rid of the outcasts of the world. Shadows referring to the fans, the outcasts, and anyone who doesn’t give in to what others try to force onto them.

“The story follows this group of outcast leaders, rebels, through their journey to defeat this fear, which is an acronym for every and all religion". - Andy Biersack

During their performance of 'Shadows Die', (which to many fans is an anthem for those who feel different), Jinxx comes out to the lifted platform in front of the crowd, bringing out his violin for his own personal solo.

Black Veil Brides also performed their song 'Knifes and Pens' from their 2008 EP "Never Give In" and their 2010 album "We Stitch These Wounds". Providing us with one of many guitar solos. One of which Jake Pitts and Jinxx take the upper platform, standing back to back. Jake Pitts also performed a guitar solo during their song 'Fallen Angels' from the 2011 album "Set The World On Fire".

With everyone going crazy in the pit, Black Veil Brides finishes their set with one of their biggest hits, 'In The End' from the Wretched and Divine album.

Ice Nine Kills

Opening up their set, Ice Nine Kills started the show with a backing track from their intro song 'Opening Night' narrating over the speakers like it was the opening credits to a horror film.

“The thirteen tracks which you are about to hear were long ago hidden away. Deemed too grotesque for public consumption by the American Recording Industry. Recently, however, they were unearthed by the homicide unit of the L.A.P.D. These tracks would soon gain infamy as key evidence Allegedly linking Ice Nine Kills' frontman, Spencer Charnas, to the brutal slaying of his 28-year-old fiancée.

Though the original title of this disturbing collection of songs remains unknown. These cuts would forever be remembered as "Welcome to Horrorwood“ - Opening Night

With the crowd yelling “Welcome to Horrorwood” along with the prologue as it finishes, Spencer Charnas of Ice Nine Kills enters the stage.

“Are you misunderstood? Are you more bad than good?

Welcome to Horrorwood. Where anyone would kill for a callback” - Welcome To Horrorwood

In support of Ice Nine Kills, fans dressed up in their favorite horror movie-themed outfits.

Ice Nine Kills, who is known for writing hits based on popular horror movies and bringing them to life on stage. Dressing up as horror movie characters such as Pennywise “IT” and Freddy Krueger. With Spencer dressed as the popular horror killers and acting out scenes on stage with help from their friends, Shevy Marie and Chris LaPlante portraying the victims (and sometimes the killer).

Playing a total of 12 songs, mostly from the 2021 sequel album “The Silver Scream 2: Welcome to Horrorwood” - and only playing "Stabbing In The Dark", " 'IT' is the End", and "The American Nightmare" from the 2018 album “The Silver Scream”.

Coming out in a butcher's outfit holding an ax - Chris LaPlante portrayed the killer from the 2005 movie Hostel. Interacting with the crowd and getting them hyped up as the band performed 'Würst Vacation'.

“Grab the drill, grab the axe, the fun has just begun! I’m going old school, a gun is too American.” - Würst Vacation

Chris LaPlante, coming back on stage, but this time with a fake goat head on and holding a prop chainsaw towards the crowd. Before the final chorus, Spencer comes out on stage wearing the butcher's outfit and an ax. Chris LaPlante is rolled out, by Shevy Marie, on a chair - this time portraying the victim.

“What the fuck is this? Where the fuck am I? Please, please, I'll pay you anything. Please let me go.”

“Stupid kid, it's not about the money. You don't like our customs? Then stay in your country. 'Cause on this trip, there are no survivors and in this club, your life don't mean Scheiße.”

On Ice Nine Kills fourth song, 'Hip to be Scared', Spencer comes back on stage dressed as Patrick Bateman from the 2000 film American Psycho. Wearing black dress pants with a white dress shirt and suspenders.

During this performance, Spencer leaves the stage as the band continues to play, this time coming back wearing a white see-through raincoat and carrying an ax.

Chris LaPlante stumbled on stage, in a fake drunken manner, performing as Paul Allen. With Spencer “Patrick” asking Chris “Paul” if he likes Ice Nine Kills and “Paul” answering with “Not really”. With Spencer continuing and Chris stumbling around the stage. “Patrick” then knocks “Paul” out, making him fall to the ground.

“The whole album has a refined melodic sensibility that really makes it a cut above the rest.” - Hip To Be Scared

With the crowd screaming “Hey Paul”, leading with Spencer “Patrick” “killing” Chris “Paul” with the ax. Then picking up a fake bloody head and showed it to the crowd.

During 'Stabbing in the Dark', Shevy Marie performs as Lorrie Strode - the sister of Michael Myers from Halloween, and Spencer portraying Michael Myers.

"All units respond, multiple fatalities reported on Orange Grove Ave.

Suspect has been identified as one Michael Myers.

He is armed and extremely dangerous.

Shoot to kill, I repeat, shoot to kill. Over"

With Shevy Marie "Laurie Strode" running around the stage, running from "Michael Myers", "Laurie" runs onto the lifted platform of the stage and to the crowd. Yelling "Michael!" followed by a scream. "Michael" coming up behind her and grabbing her, "slicing" her throat.

For Ice Nine Kills song 'IT' is the End', Shevy Marie comes out dressed as Georgie from the 1990s horror movie IT (Also known as Pennywise or The Dancing Clown). Wearing a yellow raincoat and holding a little paper boat and a red balloon.

"Pennywise", Spencer Charnas, who is dressed as Pennywise - wearing a clown mask, walks over to "Georgie", who is playing with the paper boat.

"Allow me to introduce myself. They call me the dancing clown. And you must be Georgie. Did you hear my circus was in town? It seems I have your boat here. The storm blew her off track. Just reach your hands down here and take it, if you really want it back." - 'IT is the End'

Spencer "Pennywise" takes the balloon from "Georgie" and continues singing. Ending the opening verse with the fans singing along with, "We all float down here," while "Georgie" lets go of the red balloon and it floats away.

Their next song 'The Shower Scene', based on the 1960 horror movie Psycho, also starts with a monologue,

"Can I help you, sir?"

"Sure hope you can, I'm looking for a young woman who's been missing for several days now. I have reason to believe she may have stopped off at this very motel." - The Shower Scene

Spencer Charnas, Portraying the character Norman Bates, comes out on stage with a "bloody" blue dress shirt and holding a knife. Shevy Marie portraying Marion Crane, a guest (and victim) at the Bates Motel. Coming out in a robe and towel over her shoulder, ready to hit the shower, with "Norman Bates" looming close by - watching.

Sheavy "Marion" goes behind a transparent backdrop that's supposed to represent the shower. With "Norman Bates" watching and following behind her. "Stabbing" her as she is in the shower.

Performing their final song of the night, 'American Nightmare', Spencer comes back onto the stage with a "bloody" shirt and a glove made with knives on the right hand, portraying Freddy Krueger from The Nightmare on Elm Street movies. Ending the show with Spencer Charnas screaming “Sweet Dreams Chicago” and the venue filling with screams from the crowd.

“I’ll see you motherfucker's next time. Sweet Dreams!” - Spencer Charnas

The Crowd's Perspective

"Holy shit, that concert was next level. Hands down the best one I've been at." - Genevieve Wysocki

"The view from the pit was a good experience, even though I was moshing most of the time. But that was probably one of the biggest pits I've been in - in an indoor venue" - Logan Johnson

"The show was absolutely incredible and Chris Motionless is one of the kindest and sweetest musicians there is. My nephew loved every bit of it and him getting that first rose from Chris will be a memory he will forever have." - Sierra Northern

"For this sold-out show, each band/artist channeled their energy and gave us amazing and powerful performances that lifted our hearts and got everyone’s head banging in the room.

(Lilith Czar) She’s always been a great performer, and I was captivated with the power she held on stage.

I’m not a frequent listener to Motionless in White, but I loved and appreciated all the energy, vocals, songs, and powerful performance Motionless in White displayed on this tour.

When Andy screamed, “Chicago, let me hear you scream!” I lost my mind and screamed my little heart out!

As a long-time fan of them, it was such an incredible and emotional moment for me to see them again. They have always lifted me up and helped to be Proud of who I am. I love a good “fuck ya!” moment from Andy.

BVB has always had a special place in my heart, and I will continue to be a devoted fan and lover of their music." - Abbey Santos