DED Ignites The Forge with a Relentless Night of Modern Metal Along with Dropout Kings and VRSTY

7/21/2026

By: Evan J. Thomas

Pure adrenaline. When DED rolled into The Forge in Joliet, Illinois, it was clear from the opening notes that this was going to be a night fueled by intensity, massive riffs, and nonstop movement and those in attendance were ready for it.

With a stacked lineup featuring locals The Fiction We Create, VRSTY, Dropout Kings, and headliners DED, fans were treated to four distinctly different bands that all shared one thing in common... they came to leave everything on the stage and they sure fucking did.

Local favorites The Fiction We Create had the responsibility of kicking off the evening, and they made sure the crowd was paying attention from the very beginning.

Their modern rock and metal sound filled The Forge with energy, delivering a polished performance that showcased why they've continued to build a loyal following in the Midwest. The band attacked every song with confidence, setting the tone for what would become a relentless night of heavy music.

By the time their set wrapped up, they'd done exactly what an opening act hopes to accomplish, win over new fans while firing up the room for what was to come.

Blending heavy grooves, melodic vocals, and R&B influences, VRSTY brought a refreshing dynamic to the lineup.

Their performance demonstrated exactly why they've become one of the more exciting bands in modern heavy music. Seamlessly moving between crushing riffs and soulful melodies, VRSTY offered something different without ever sacrificing intensity. The crowd responded enthusiastically, proving that heavy music doesn't have to fit neatly into one box to make an impact.

If there was one band determined to make sure nobody stood still, it was Dropout Kings.
Their explosive fusion of rap, metal, and crushing breakdowns transformed The Forge into organized chaos. Circle pits erupted, hands stayed in the air, and the band's infectious energy spread through the crowd with every song. By the end of their set, the room had reached a fever pitch.

When DED finally took the stage, they wasted absolutely no time reminding everyone why they've earned such a passionate fanbase. I've seen the guys since their inception in early 2017 and have now seen them live nearly a dozen times and they only get better.

From the opening song until the final note, the band delivered an unrelenting performance packed with crushing riffs, thunderous rhythms, and relentless energy. There wasn't a moment where the momentum slowed.

Ripping off favorites "FMFY", "Rockstar," and finishing with "Anti-Everything" with a finale of "Killing In The Name" turned The Forge into a madhouse.

What makes DED such a compelling live band isn't just the heaviness of the music, it's their commitment to every performance. Every member played with intensity, feeding off one another and the audience to create an atmosphere that felt electric from beginning to end.

The crowd returned that energy tenfold, singing along, throwing fists into the air, and creating the kind of connection between band and fans that only happens when everyone in the room is fully invested.

The Forge's intimate setting only amplified the experience. Instead of feeling like spectators, fans became part of the performance, feeding off the band's energy while giving it right back.

It was loud. It was aggressive. It was exactly what modern rock and metal should feel like.

The lineup at The Forge was a perfect example of how diverse today's heavy music scene has become. For anyone lucky enough to be packed inside The Forge that night, this wasn't simply another stop on a tour, it was a reminder of why live heavy music continues to thrive. Great songs, passionate performances, and a crowd ready to give back every ounce of energy the bands put into the room.