Pound, Paradox Rift, Fake Muslims and Zō
Volume #31: Pound, Paradox Rift, Fake Muslims, Zō
8/26/2022
No Class - 11213 Detroit Ave, Cleveland, OH 44102
Welcome back, my friends to the 31st installation of the Rustbelt Rock Review. This week will be our first trip together into No Class. We’ll check out some bands we’ve seen before, and a few new ones and as always we’ll size up what’s going down in our amazing Metal scene. So without further delay, let’s dive right in. I arrived at No Class well before doors for a scheduled interview with Zō. I met the boys on the back patio for some drinks and a long talk. I am anxious to share that with all of you soon, but for today, let’s stick to the show.
Zō
Doors were set for 8pm, with music at 9pm and as far as I remember they stuck fairly close to that schedule. Up first on the bill was Zō. This was my second time seeing this uncommon act. You may remember our first encounter, in RbRR #7 or perhaps you’ve read my review on their album “Red Sky”(RbRR #15). Suffice to say, this is a band I have come to enjoy excessively. The Progressive Death Metal quartet took to the stage and was fully prepared to Rock from the outset. Opening with “Drown Me” they set the energy for the evening very high. Immediately a moshpit started up, whirling around and spitting out fist wielding dancers. Up next came their fan favorite “Inferno” which had the crowd chanting a rhythmic “Aye, Aye, Aye…” with frontman, Cameron. Zō sounded album perfect with guitarist Matt’s solo’s flowing flawlessly. Meanwhile Bassist Chris and Drummer Tristan literally had the room shaking as they relentlessly pounded away. Next, fans were treated to a killer new song entitled “Barricade.” Amping things up even further they fired up their album opener “Carnage” which had the room singing in unison with it’s melodic chorus’. Finally, Cameron donned his guitar, signaling the moment I had been waiting for: “Red Sky.” Zō’s nine minute masterpiece filled out the remainder of the set with sheer metal magnificence. The emotional peaks and valleys of this track cannot be properly conveyed in words; it is a piece that simply must be heard. I will tell you this, what is already an impressive composition, is only intensified when seen performed live. It really showcases how each member of the band pushes themselves to both musical and emotional limits to achieve perfection. While Cameron’s savage snarls and vivacious stage presence are easy to spot, in this particular set I was most impressed with Tristan and Chris’ vocal contributions; adding much needed harmonies which compliment the brutality of Cameron. Once again, Zō wowed me with their live show. While they match their album with technical precision, they manage to exceed it in passion on the microphones. The three part harmony of Zō is really something to hear. They remind me of what Mastodon would be if you swapped their Sludge influence for Death Metal. While that is an obvious oversimplification, it will give you an idea of where they fall in this author’s spectrum of understanding.
Fake Muslims
Up second on the bill was Fake Muslims. This was my first time checking out this trio and I had no idea what to expect. What I got was some of the raunchiest, rawest and nastiest Metal I’ve heard in a while. This female fronted act consists of Vocals, Bass and Drums. I have to admit this may be the first Metal band I have ever seen without a guitarist. Their vibe is extremely aggressive, noisy and chaotic. Their sound I would describe as having shades to Anal Cunt, Stormtroopers of Death, or even Eyehategod, but with a heavy dose of Punk and Hardcore mixed in as well. I would call them Death Punk, or Blackened Hardcore or some other such nonsense that would fail to describe what a brilliantly abrasive sound this band has. Their leading lady has an absolutely monstrous vocal presence. Like a harpy she shrieks then descends to demonic guttural depths. The musical attack is short, fast and unapologetically heavy. The moshpit flourished throughout their set, and I saw members of Paradox Rift and Necroprophecy down on the floor in support. I believe they played around 16 songs, none of which exceeded 2 minutes in length. Each one was another ice pick in the ear canals of all in attendance, earning boisterous ovations from the crowd. I was knocked out by this bands energy and aggression. Pouring sweat, veins bulging in rage, song after song Fake Muslims abused No Class and we thanked them for it.
Paradox Rift
Paradox Rift was third on the bill and I was excited to see them again. I first encountered these boys in one of my favorite editions of RbRR: #12. My stand out memory of Paradox Rift from that night was that they were incredibly heavy. What I saw in No Class last Friday was nothing more than a reminder of exactly how devastating an act Paradox Rift is. They took the stage hard and fast and in full command. The four piece act is extremely animated, with no member seeming to ever stop moving. Their style of Death Metal comes at you like a wall of sound, barely leaving room for the listener to breathe. It hammers against you so relentlessly that your senses are muddled and thoughts confounded in the auditory melee. They treated us to a total of 6 songs, opening with “Dismembered by Dogs” and closing with “Feral Soul.” Frontman Luke dove into the crowd, his mic in hand, and joined the pit as dedicated fans pummeled one another. My notes on the set are a bit disjointed. I remember liking Paradox Rift the last time I saw them, yet this set had me jotting down “even better than I remember.” A second line reads only “Dark, Evil, Murder Music!” Now I don’t know exactly what inspired these two lines. Whatever it was, I can tell you this: Paradox Rift proved to me why they are fully deserving of their nomination for “Best Metal Band” at this year’s Cleveland Music Awards. Congratulations boys, and good luck!
Pound
Closing out the show was Seattle two piece instrumental act, Pound. The band is comprised of two men, one playing an 8 string guitar the other playing a double drum set arranged at a 90 degree angle. They came out heavy, hard and fast; and that is how they stayed. On the first song the vocalist from Fake Muslims shook up a beer and sprayed the pit, immediately turning it into a violent slip and slide. The music came like a jack hammer, fast and… well, pounding. In fact the sound of this band in every way lives up to their name. They fucking pound. Imagine Primus, but all instrumental and way heavier. That is about the best description I can come up with. However you characterize their sound, the crowd at No Class loved it. The guitarist, with a wireless rig, stalked the club, walking through the bar and even going outside to play on top of the picnic tables facing Detroit Ave. It was really wild and I was impressed by their unique and jarring take on Heavy Metal. I think it is fucking cool that a band like Pound exists. They are out there doing what they love, refusing to conform and just playing music the way they want to play it. It’s inspiring and it reflects how rad underground music is, not just in the Rustbelt, but all over the country. Heavy Metal truly is a beast with uncountable heads, each with its own unique face.
There you have it, another great night of headbanging under my belt, another long ride home along the shore way and yet another pile of thoughts and reflections to sort through. I continue my quest: Scouring the Cleveland underground for the heaviest substance on the planet, raw uncut Metal. I find rich deposits everywhere I turn and I am delighted by it. It seems each time I venture out I am discovering new and exciting acts performing Rock N’ Roll, in strange variations on the theme. I have to tell you, I love it. Not every band is my favorite style or subgenre, but all of them are inspiring. I love seeing the power and dedication behind it all. I love seeing artists bleed and scream and pour out their souls for little more than the pure joy of performing. I love Heavy Metal and I love sharing it with all of you. Seriously, thanks for reading.
Until next time, Rock on, Rustbelt!
-Z.M. Delgado
Rustbelt Rock Review
Zackolantern.com
9/3/2022
Pound
Pound.bandcamp.com
Paradox Rift
Fake Muslims
Fakemuslims.bandcamp.com
@fakemuslimsofficialbandpage
Zō
@zo_band
