The Artist of the week: Rose of Demise (Chicago)

In the heart of Chicago’s relentless metal scene, a band has been quietly sharpening its blades, waiting for the right moment to strike. That band is Rose of Demise. Formed in 2019, they’ve carved out a sound that’s as brutal as it is dynamic, blending the crushing weight of death metal, the pit-ready aggression of hardcore, and the precision breakdowns of metalcore, all laced with their own Midwest grit and sharpened by influences ranging from Miss May I, As Blood Runs Black, and As I Lay Dying, to August Burns Red, The Devil Wears Prada, Bullet for My Valentine, Lamb of God, and Slipknot.

Their journey kicked off with the release of their debut EP, Dawn of Demise (2022), a four-track onslaught that instantly made waves among fans craving something raw and unapologetic. Tracks like “Point of No Return” and “Internal Divide” don’t just hit hard, they hit like a freight train loaded with riffs, guttural roars, and breakdowns engineered to detonate the floor of any venue.

Line-up changes over the years have only fueled their determination. With the current roster: Anthony Thomas Ofenloch (vocals), Angel Martinez (guitars), Nicholas Scott Kristofer (guitars), Jesse Jason Gonzalez (bass), and Tulio Juarez (drums), Rose of Demise is locked, loaded, and hungrier than ever. This isn’t a band chasing trends, they’re building their own warpath, one show, one riff, and one circle pit at a time.

The Chicago underground has always been a breeding ground for bands that refuse to compromise, and Rose of Demise is carrying that torch with pride. From small clubs where the sweat drips off the ceiling to bigger stages where the roar of the crowd fuels every chord, they’ve proven they can hold their own in a city where you have to fight for every inch of recognition.

Now, with a renewed energy and a vision sharper than ever, Rose of Demise is ready to push beyond the Windy City and let the rest of the metal world know exactly who they are. If you haven’t seen them live yet, consider this your warning.. the next time they roll through your town, bring earplugs, a neck brace, and a willingness to be part of the chaos.

ROSE OF DEMISE – DAWN OF DEMISE (EP Review)

Chicago has always been a city where the underground never sleeps, where heavy music thrives in sweat-drenched basements and gritty backrooms. Out of that stubbornly alive scene comes Rose of Demise, a band that in just a few short years has begun to carve its own space in the Midwest metal map. Their debut EP, Dawn of Demise, released in 2022, is more than just an introduction, it’s a mission statement, one that merges the savagery of death metal, the stomp of hardcore, and the structural punch of metalcore, filtered through a set of influences as diverse as Miss May I’s melodic drive, As Blood Runs Black’s technical ferocity, As I Lay Dying’s anthemic aggression, August Burns Red’s precision, The Devil Wears Prada’s atmosphere, Bullet for My Valentine’s hook-laced heaviness, Lamb of God’s groove-laden brutality, and Slipknot’s raw chaos.

The EP unfolds with the unrelenting rush of “Point of No Return,” a brief but potent assault that wastes no time setting the tone. From there, Rose of Demise stretch their muscles, showing an ability to balance chaos with calculated impact. “Internal Divide” is the clearest evidence of that balance. At over three minutes, it is their most layered composition, blending relentless riffs with a sense of pacing that feels deliberate rather than chaotic. It’s here that the band’s lyrical edge cuts the deepest, exploring inner conflict and resilience without falling into cliché. The production, while raw, captures an authenticity that perfectly suits the band’s aesthetic, it’s tight enough to showcase the musicianship, but unpolished enough to feel dangerous.

As the record moves through “The Crossing” and “Jane Doe,” Rose of Demise begin to reveal a darker emotional core. “Jane Doe” in particular carries a weight of melancholy beneath its aggression, a reminder that heaviness is not only in volume but in sentiment. The closer, “Condemned,” returns to pure ferocity, driving home the EP’s central theme of unflinching confrontation, both with the world and with oneself.

Listening in sequence, the evolution within even this short release is noticeable. Rose of Demise may still be early in their discography, but they’re already exploring dynamics, mood, and narrative, not content to simply throw breakdowns at the wall. This is the sound of a band refusing to settle for just being loud; they want to be memorable.

If one track rises above the rest, it’s “Internal Divide.” It captures the essence of Rose of Demise in full tight instrumentation, lyrical defiance, and a balance between melody and brutality that hints at their long-term potential. It’s a song that doesn’t just get a pit moving, it makes you feel every ounce of frustration, rage, and determination they’ve poured into their craft.

With Dawn of Demise, Rose of Demise have planted their flag firmly in Chicago’s fertile metal soil. The EP stands as both a promise and a challenge, to themselves and to the scene, that this is only the beginning. If they continue to evolve with the same hunger they display here, the Midwest may soon be exporting one of its most potent heavy acts to the rest of the world.

Rose of Demise is currently putting the final touches on their upcoming EP slated for release in late summer to early fall. Alongside the new music, fans can look forward to fresh merch drops including shirts, stickers, and patches, as well as a run of upcoming shows that promise an even bigger and more immersive stage production. With sharpened focus and growing momentum, the band is gearing up to make their next chapter louder, heavier, and impossible to ignore.