Vol. #117: Best of 2023
Rustbelt Rock Review
By: Z.M. Delgado
Rustbeltrockreview.com
Volume #117: Best of 2023
Happy Holidays to you and welcome back to the Rustbelt Rock Review. I can’t believe it, but in a blur of Heavy Metal magic, somehow another year has blown by. 2023 was a big year for the Review. I went to a lot of shows, listened to a hell of a lot of new music... and wrote a lot of words on both subjects. We celebrated our 100th article this year and launched the new website. With all that being said, this year had its share of ups and downs. So I have decided it is time for us to look back on the Up’s and I have highlighted the best of the best. Here is a list of the top five shows and albums that I reviewed in 2023.
Shows
I did a quick count and I realized I went to well over 40 shows this year. Some good, some bad. Some that frankly sucked and some that I will never forget. However they went down, 40+ is quite a lot, I suppose. There had to be some hard decisions made as I looked over the last year and reminisced about the many gigs I’d seen. In time I pulled out five that really stood out. In chronological order, here are my top five shows of 2023.
1) #55 – Fuck Cancer Fest, featuring: The Jotunn, Atomic Witch, Pillars, Terra Vista, Befallen & 10,000 Rambos
No Class
For this one we have to go back all the way to January 28th. This was one banger of a show that helped kick off my 2023 season. It was a benefit with an absolutely stacked lineup that I just couldn’t miss. I remember that night had an exceptional turnout and raised a bunch of money for the cause. I also recall the music being of unquestionable force. Sporting some of the heaviest names in the Cleveland scene, the beers flowed, the heads banged and the pits raged. For these reasons and so many more, Fuck Cancer Fest easily makes it way onto my top five for pure visceral intensity.
2) #56 – Shotgun Bowl, featuring: Olathia, Wraith, Lady Beast, Storms of Tomorrow, Assault, Bessemer Saints, Lower 13, Galactic Reptile
Beachland Ballroom and Tavern
Shotgun Bowl was incredible. Eight bands split between two stages, packed into five hours; that’s a lot of high speed heavy metal. This show had the crowd on their toes as we raced from room to room trying not to miss a moment of the sensational lineup. Drawing upon some of the best talent from Cleveland, and adding in a couple of out of town acts, this Shotgun Bowl was an afternoon none of us will soon forget. This without a doubt was one of the most fun shows I’ve been to in a long time.
3) #87 – Pantera, Lamb of God, SNAFU
The Pavilion at Star Lake
This was one of my infamous road trip editions. Two car loads of madmen left Ohio with me that day and drove to the outskirts of Pittsburgh to see the now legendary Pantera reunion tour. As we were on the road, I threw caution to the wind and got myself right and proper fucked up. My boys and I partied the day and night away while we witnessed Pantera’s resurrection. With solid openers on the bill the entire show was a rockin’ good time. Pantera’s portion however was nothing short of cathartic. This was the first show I thought of when I started compiling my “Best of” list and with good reason.
4) #90 – Mega Monsters Tour, featuring: Gojira, Mastodon & Lorna Shore
Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica
It was a hot august evening when we headed down to The Flats to check out the Mega Monsters tour. This was a night of twisted sounds, tripped out vibes, and heavy ass riffs. I seem to recall there being a hell of a lot of crowd surfers, too. This show was an absolute visual spectacle, with both Mastodon and Gojira putting forth exceptional light shows. Both bands played up to expectations and put on searing performances. Also, Lorna Shore was pretty good.
5) #98 – Danzig, Behemoth, Twin Temple & Midnight
TempleLive at Cleveland Masonic
It isn’t often I get to see my favorite band: Danzig. When I do it always makes an indelible impression on my brain. What made this particular show so special was that he was performing the first album in it’s entirety. That is a rare treat I can assure you. Add to that an outstanding line up for opening acts and you have an evening that is sure to astound. The openers were all amazing and Danzig had never sounded better. This show was an easy pick for my top five.
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Albums
I reviewed a fair amount of albums in 2023 as well. Some of them I picked up at shows. Some I tracked down myself and some of them were sent to me. Local, National and International artists have gifted me music and asked me to give them my thoughts on what they’ve been creating. It has been wild to have acts from all over hit me up, and honestly want to know my opinion. So after careful consideration, here are my five favorite albums from 2023.
1) #62 – The Cult ov Crowley – “King Suites”
This is an album that I picked up based on a social media post with no preview. I didn’t really know what I getting into when I downloaded the record. When I finally fired up “King Suites” I was blown away by the power of music and vision behind the song structures. With a sound that defies classification, there is something very authentic and unique about The Cult ov Crowley. From when I first downloaded it back in March, to this very day, I still find the album to be as compelling as on the first listen. Without a doubt “King Suites” is one of the most important releases of 2023. Stand out tracks: The 4 ov Spades & Morphine Fever Dreams
2) #70 – The Last Witch – “The Last Witch”
In the spring I was approached by this cat who really wanted me to check out his band. We exchanged contact info, or something like that, and soon enough I had received the self titled album by Akron’s The Last Witch. I threw it on and I was astonished by the Rockin’ blast of badassery that exploded from the speakers. Very heavy, though at times quite melodic. There is big range on the vocals and some excellent guitar work tucked in there too. From top to bottom this is an excellent collection of Stoner Metal magnificence. Stand out tracks: King of the Mountain & What You Get
3) #91 – Sun Dweller – “High Ride”
This is another album that simply wowed me from the first listen on. Sun Dweller is an Ohio band who plays some very cool Stoner Metal. The album “High Ride” is soaked in hypnotic grooves and tripped out vibrations that really carry the listener away. The singers voice is has a huge presence that reverberates across the soundscape. All in all it is the perfect album for most any occasion, though I have to say it goes great with a nice doobie. Stand out tracks: High Ride & Philophobic
4) #108 – Olathia – “The Forest Witch”
Perhaps no release was as anticipated as this, the third full length from Cleveland’s powerhouse Olathia. This eight song onslaught is the bands heaviest work to date and it comes across in spectacular fashion on this new album. With absolutely shredding solo work, intricate drums, a thunderous Bass sound and Cleveland’s most dynamic vocalist, Olathia is back and better than ever. “The Forest Witch” encapsulates all that Olathia has ever accomplished and pushes it to new levels of Heavy Metal magnificence. Without a doubt this is an album not to be missed. Stand out tracks: Who’s the Devil & Last Breath
5) #114 – Lower 13 – “Deception”
At only five tracks in length, I know it’s a stretch to call the new EP by Lower 13 an “album”. However, with the release of “Deception” Lower 13 has unleashed such a powerful work, that I just couldn’t let it pass by without notice. Deception is an album of anger, and rage, and blame and about one hundred other ugly emotions. It is a collection of songs that takes no prisoners. Lower 13 has taken everything they are and they’ve twisted it into something monstrous. With fire and intensity, passion and precision, Lower 13 has let loose an absolute storm. Stand out tracks: One to Blame & You Just Left Her
So there you have it, my friends. My end of year run down has now… run down. I hope you enjoyed reading it. More than that though, I hope you pick up those five albums I mentioned, and I certainly hope to see you at a show in 2024. Let’s keep on headbanging through the new year and we’ll pick up right where we left off. The bands will keep Rockin’, I’ll keep writing and I trust you’ll still be here to follow along at home. I hope you and yours have a safe and very happy holiday season.
Until next time, Rock on, Rustbelt,
-Z.M. Delgado
Rustbelt Rock Review
Rustbeltrockreview.com
12/25/2023
