Varials in Chicago

About Varials

Varials is a metalcore band from Upstate New York that emerged in the mid-2010s with a thoughtful approach to the genre. They've built a quiet reputation for writing songs that balance technical precision with genuine emotional weight, steering clear of the usual posturing. Their albums layer dense guitar work with vocals that shift between clean singing and harsher moments, creating space for introspection even when the riffs get heavy. Tracks like 'Goodbye' showcase their ability to construct songs that feel earned rather than borrowed from a template. They're not a band obsessed with being the loudest or fastest in the room—instead they focus on songwriting that acknowledges both despair and the possibility of moving past it. For a metalcore band, their restraint is almost radical.

Varials shows draw crowds that actually listen instead of just waiting for breakdowns. Sets feel deliberate and tight, with the band locking into each song without unnecessary theatrics. Mosh pits form but feel more conversational than aggressive. Real presence in the room.

Known for Goodbye, Immanence, Habit, Collapse, Mending

Varials + Chicago

Varials has maintained a presence in Chicago's heavy music circuit over the years, with their most recent appearance coming on March 1, 2025 at Bottom Lounge. The band brought their brand of metalcore to the intimate venue, working through material that blends aggressive riffing with atmospheric moments. The set built momentum through their catalog, with tracks hitting hard in the packed room before the band closed things out with an encore that left the crowd wanting more. Chicago's smaller venues like Bottom Lounge have proven reliable ground for Varials, catching them at a point where they've honed their live attack into something genuinely compelling.

Varials in Chicago News

• UnityTX Drop "STFU" Music Video, Announce U.S. Tour With Varials The Nu-Metal Agenda · Feb 26, 2026
• Varials Announce Spring U.S. Tour With UnityTX, Heavy//Hitter & Boltcutter Theprp.com · Dec 8, 2025
• VARIALS announce headline tour with UNITYTX, HEAVY//HITTER and BOLTCUTTER Lambgoat · Dec 8, 2025
• THROWN, VARIALS, NO CURE & HEAVENSGATE Announce North American Tour Metal Injection · Nov 12, 2024
• Track Premiere: Varials – ‘In Darkness’ Decibel Magazine · Oct 10, 2019

Live Music in Chicago

Chicago's heavy music scene has deep roots, from the city's thriving straight edge and hardcore communities to its current crop of metalcore and progressive metal bands. The underground venues scattered across the city—like Bottom Lounge—continue to host touring acts in intimate settings where fans can actually hear the intricate guitar work and vocal layering that defines modern metalcore. It's a scene that respects technical musicianship while demanding genuine intensity, which keeps bands like Varials coming back.

Chicago road trip to see Varials?

Stay in Lincoln Park or Wicker Park depending on your vibe—both neighborhoods have real character and plenty of late-night options. Book dinner at Alinea if you're feeling ambitious, or hit RPM Italian for something excellent and less impossible to get into. Spend an afternoon at the Art Institute, then walk along the Lakefront. The city's got enough to fill a weekend without feeling like you're checking boxes. Catch the show, eat well, and remember why you liked this band in the first place.