Vol #170: Best of 2024
Rustbelt Rock Review
By: Z.M. Delgado
Rustbeltrockreview.com
Volume #170: Best of 2024
December 2024
Well, well, well… what do we have here? It seems the holiday season is once again upon us. Another year gone by. Another dark and treacherous winter has arisen. As Mastodon would put it, “once more round the sun we go again.” As such it is time for my annual retrospective. It is in this edition that I will ignore the ridiculous debacle that was 2024, and instead focus on all the great music that accompanied it. As is my custom, I will be pulling up and laying out my top Five Shows and Albums of this past year. So without further adieu...
Best Shows
As I am sure you are aware, I spent a lot of time out in the clubs this past twelve months. With so many bangers under my belt, it was a difficult task to choose my top 5 shows this year. From the biggest of stages of Cleveland to the backwoods of Ashtabula County, my journeys this year led me on many a strange highway. Here were my favorite stops along that bizarre voyage.
RbRR #122 - “Shotgun Bowl II” feat Olathia, Rip Ryde, Idol Throne, Wyld Timez, Destructor, Punching Moses, Wrath Icon & Dysplacer
February 4th, Beachland Ballroom and Tavern
This is a show that I had to mention and is hard to forget. With eight bands spread across two stages, Shotgun Bowl II was a resoundingly excellent time. Led by the mighty Olathia, this lineup was completely stacked; blending a mix of local acts with out of town talent. The Beachland was an excellent host, dialing in the set times and ensuring the whole thing ran smoothly. Without a doubt this show earned it’s place on this list, and added to the growing legend that “Shotgun Bowl” is becoming. With “S.B. III” on the horizon, this is the perfect time to reflect on this fantastic event.
https://rustbeltrockreview.com/reviews/vol-122-shotgun-bowl-ii
RbRR #149 - “Ashes of Leviathan Tour” feat Lamb of God, Mastodon, Kerry King & Unearth
August 9th, Jacobs Pavilion
Ah, summer nights. They can’t be beat, am I right? What could be better than a gorgeous August evening on the banks of the Cuyahoga River. Jacob’s Pavilion offers a fantastic outdoor experience and is one of my favorite places to see a show. Now take that location, combine perfect weather and add in some of the biggest names in Heavy Metal and you’ve got a recipe for success. The “Ashes of Leviathan” Tour brought in some beasts, that’s for sure. With that lineup, you can easily see why it was THE must see show of the summer. With killer music, unrivaled lights (Looking at you Mastodon!) and a crew of good friends by my side this show easily soared to my top five.
https://rustbeltrockreview.com/reviews/vol-149-ashes-of-leviathan-tour
RbRR #151 - “State Line Farm Fest” feat Jacknife Powerbombs, Black Spirit Crown, Beast Killer, HAMS, Saints of Lorain, Kill The Fall, Cardboard Caskets, Vandalizard & The Long Hunt
August 24th, State Line Road, Pierpont Ohio
This one was wild. It found me following some of my friends in the North Coast Punk scene far from Cleveland. They led me to an underground party deep in Ashtabula county called “State Line Farm Fest.” I had learned from the boys in Beast Killer the general idea of the event, but what I discovered when I arrived was an experience far beyond my expectations. Bands, food, and alcohol all inclusive, S.L.F.F. was unbelievably FREE. It was another perfect August day, spent smoking, drinking and enjoying ALOT of music. The party went late into the night and by the time I finally retired to my tent, my mind was considerably twisted out of shape. Without a doubt this show was one of the best nights of my summer and I hope that it happens again in 2025.
https://rustbeltrockreview.com/reviews/vol-151-state-line-farm-fest-2024
RbRR #155 - Megadeth with All That Remains
September 22nd, Temple Live
This one was really incredible. On the surface it might not appear to measure up to it’s cohorts. After all it was only two bands (and to be honest All That Remains doesn’t really do it for me). With that being said, perhaps you can now understand just how much I love Megadeth. Long story short, they have been one of my favorite bands for better than 30 years. I see them every time they come anywhere close and I have seen them a lot of times over the decades. Knowing this you can trust me when I say, this was a really amazing set. Playing at peak level they brought a blend of essential classics as well as some real rarities. (“Washington is Next” was amazing!) Being on the floor of Temple Live, I feel like I got closer than ever before. This show had the fewest bands of any on this list and let that speak to you as to just how good Megadeth’s set was. It single-handedly propelled this show to my best of.
https://rustbeltrockreview.com/reviews/vol-155-megadeth-with-all-that-remains
RbRR #161 - Like Murder… A Tribute to Acid Bath with Infalling and 10,000 Rambos
November 1st, The Foundry
This show was fantastic. Now as you know, I don’t usually cover tribute or cover bands. I like to stick to original music. So to understand how this gig made it into the RbRR, you have to know a few things. First off, I am obsessed with the music of Acid Bath, and I was going to be at this show RbRR or not. Second and more importantly, I believe this show did in fact count as original music, as Acid Bath founding members Sammy Pierre Duet and Mike Sanchez were performing. So with all that being said, what transpired was an absolutely magical evening. Both opening acts were solid, but Like Murder was incredible. They played Acid Bath’s music with precision and respect. The show was completely sold out, so The Foundry was packed to the gills with Acid Bath aficionado's. That crowd was wild and the moshpit raged all night. Sammy and Mike’s contributions to the set made the show legendary. Considering the Acid Bath reunion is now taking off, the next time I see Mike and Sammy will be at Sonic Temple, with tens of thousands of people. Having the opportunity to catch them performing in the intimate confines of The Foundry was a once in a lifetime experience.
Honorable Mention: RbRR #153 “Trash Bash 2024” feat After The Apocalypse, Beast Killer, Bittersweet Revenge, Inducing Panic, Psycho Plantation, Nosewig, Voices of the Damned and HAMS
Just read that line up and you know exactly why this show had to receive a nod. It showcased some of the best talent Cleveland has to offer, including After The Apocalypse and Bittersweet Revenge both winners of the Cleveland Music Awards “Best of” in their genres. With Punk, Metal and Hard Rock bands all on the bill, this show was ear candy from beginning til end.
https://rustbeltrockreview.com/reviews/vol-153-trash-bash-2024
Eric Stevenson: The Official Tattoo Artist of the Rustbelt Rock Review
Best Albums
There were a pile of incredible releases this year. Of the many, many albums I acquired, I chose to review a select few that struck me as having the merit to be given my seal of approval. Of those that I did review, I have now chosen my proverbial best of the best. I didn’t rank them. With so many different genres in play, it would be impossible to do so. Instead I will present them in Chronological order by date of review. Here are my five favorite records of 2024.
RbRR #121 Bessemer Saints – “This is BS Too”
February
The Bessemer Saints return with their second album and they did so with gusto. “This is BS Too” was an easy choice for this list. It has been on constant rotation in my life since it first dropped. Slick and smooth this album checks all the boxes for just what Blues based Rock N’ Roll should be. With exquisite play at every instrument this album is a feast for the ears. Deep thinkin’ and hard drinkin’ Bessemer Saints serve up soul searching lyricism that adds a layer of heart to their party vibe. Whether you are looking to kick back, or kick things up a notch “This is BS Too” has a song for the occasion.
Favorite song: “The Cycle”
https://rustbeltrockreview.com/album-reviews/vol-121-bessemer-saints-this-is-bs-too
RbRR #129 Mutilation Barbecue – “Amalgamations of Gore”
March
Mutilation Barbecue has been a beast dwelling in the Cleveland Underground for quite some time. It wasn’t until now, with the release of their first full length, that we truly knew how monstrous they could be. “Amalgamations of Gore” is nine songs of pure and concentrated heaviness. Wrangling their vicious live sound into the studio was no easy feat, yet Mutilation Barbecue has managed to do just that. With bottomless Bass, a signature Drum style combined with brutal Vocals and shredding Guitars, MutiBBQ has carved out a sound that is uniquely their own. In my quest for all things heavy, no album weighed more this year than “Amalgamations of Gore.”
Favorite song: “Xenomorphic Organ Rearrangement”
https://rustbeltrockreview.com/album-reviews/vol-129-mutilation-barbecue-amalgamations-of-gore
RbRR #133 Beast Killer – “Dystopian Now, Dystopian Me”
April
For this author and Rock N’ Roll addict perhaps no album was more anticipated than Beast Killer’s sophomore effort “Dystopian Now, Dystopian Me.” Let me tell you the wait was worth it! This collection picks up right where it’s predecessor left us, then blasts off in a whole new direction. Beast Killer was already a band that pushed genre definitions, but with this new record they took things even farther. Blending elements of Hard Rock and Metal with a Punk base led to an explosive and exciting album. Packing in all the energy of their prior work, “Dystopian Now, Dystopian Me” showcases an abundance of growth in songwriting. Without a doubt this record proves that Beast Killer is a band with a fresh new voice... and plenty to say.
Favorite song: Comet
https://rustbeltrockreview.com/album-reviews/vol-133-beast-killer-dystopian-now-dystopian-me
RbRR #148 Pagan Impaler – “Buried Alive”
July
This album rips! That’s it. Full stop. Take my word for it. “Buried Alive” is the real deal. This collection is pure force, adrenaline and energy from front to back. Quite simply it is Blackened Thrash at it’s best. From the moment I first heard it, up to this very minute, this record lights a fire under my ass. It simply makes me want to... GO! The vocals are a snarling inhuman display. The music is a savage assault on the senses; blazing fast and unforgivably heavy. Pagan Impaler has successfully captured the wrath of their live show and packaged it for your home consumption. It strikes out with unrelenting force and in doing so lands a well deserved spot on this list.
Favorite song: “Buried Alive”
https://rustbeltrockreview.com/album-reviews/vol-148-pagan-impaler-buried-alive
RbRR #166 Druparia – “The River Above”
December
This is our most recent addition to the list, and for me it is the one I am most excited to talk about. The debut album from Druparia is really something, and that’s a severe understatement. Rarely have I received an album that I have been so profoundly impressed with. This record hits from every angle. The musicianship is top tier. The vocals are vicious. The songwriting is gorgeous and it is devastatingly heavy. Throughout it all it never cuts a single corner and it has an incredible attention to detail. The finished product is a masterful collection of Melodic Death Metal, the likes of which I have rarely encountered. I don’t choose an “Album of the Year,” but if I did, it would be Druparia’s “The River Above.”
Favorite song: “When Cranes Return”
https://rustbeltrockreview.com/album-reviews/vol-166-druparia-the-river-above
Honorable Mention: RbRR #128 Punching Moses – “Live Short and Suffer”
March
When it came time for me to choose my top five albums, hard decisions had to be made. Throughout the process, this one just kept popping up. There is no denying how much I enjoy “Live Short and Suffer.” Punching is the right word to use, as this album packs in enough of it to break your damn nose. Hard hitting, heavy and ultra aggressive Punching Moses has captured lightening in a bottle with this blood thirsty collection.
Favorite song: “Escape the Mausoleum”
https://rustbeltrockreview.com/album-reviews/vol-128-punching-moses-live-short-and-suffer
So there you have it Cleveland and beyond, the highlights of my Heavy Metal year. It was a wild ride and I am fortunate to be able to continue in my role as your narrator; I remain the Voice of the Underground and will return in 2025. Have a Heavy New Year!!!
Until next year, Rock on, Rustbelt,
-Z.M. Delgado
Rustbelt Rock Review
Rustbeltrockreview.com
12/2024
Voice of the Underground
