by Marisa Brown
Formed in Chicago, the five-piece metal band Dance Club Massacre pride themselves on their more lighthearted lyrics (which often address going to parties and drinking) as opposed to the generally more serious words of other thrash groups; something, however, that is hard to decipher from the screams of vocalist Nick Seger. Originally conceived as a project between Seger and good friend Kurt Latos -- who combined keyboards and synthesized drums with harder sounds -- in 2004, the duo soon added Mitch Hein on guitar, Chris Mrozek on bass, and Jon Caruso on drums, and Dance Club Massacre set about recording a demo in 2005. Latos was then replaced by keyboardist Matt Hynek, and the following year the band had enough material together to self-release a full-length, entitled Feast of the Blood Monsters. Though they had no label at this point, the album still did pretty well, thanks to their touring schedule and online support. With to an introduction to Metal Blade through the band Psyopus, Dance Club Massacre signed to the label, who then re-issued a remastered edition of Feast of the Blood Monsters, along with new album artwork, in July of 2007.