Bewitcher, Wraith, Burial Oath & Assault with interviews!
Rustbelt Rock Reviews
By: Z.M. Delgado
Zackolantern.com
Volume #16: Bewitcher, Wraith, Burial Oath & Assault
June 17th, 2022
The Foundry Concert Club, 11729 Detroit Ave, Lakewood, OH 44107
Good evening my friends and welcome back to the fantastical ramblings of Z.M. Delgado. Strap in, I am ready to throw this Rustbelt Rock Review into high gear, because this evening we are bringing you “Heavy Metal at The Speed of Satan!” That quote is of course from Bewitcher, who was the evening’s headliner. In support they had Indiana’s Wraith and Cleveland’s own Burial Oath and Assault. That’s two Black Speed/Blackened Thrash bands, one Black Metal and a Thrash for those of your keeping score. It was shaping up to be an evening of hard, fast Rock N’ Roll and I was understandably stoked.
Bewitcher - Cursed Be Thy Kingdom, Available Now!
I arrived at The Foundry around 4:45 for scheduled interviews with Assault, Wraith and Bewitcher. I wasn’t surprised to find the club dark, and locked. I messaged the bands, letting them know I was available at their convenience and found a spot in the shade. I was early, so I posted up out front and, pen in hand, began to review my notes. Soon after an oversized van pulled up, stacked from front to back, floor to ceiling with boxes of merch. The doors popped open and out spilled the “Satanic Magick Attack” of Bewitcher. They looked road worn and exhausted. I later learned they’d been driving for two days. As it turns out, Cleveland was the first stop on the tour and that meant a long drive from Portland before the real journey even began. Still waiting for the club to open, Bewitcher suggested that we do the interview, rather than risk a time crunch later. I agreed and we got started right there by the side of Detroit Ave.
Bewitcher
I had the pleasure of speaking to all three members of the band, A. Hunter (Drums/Percussion), A. Magus (Bass/Backing Vox) and M. von Bewitcher (Guitar/Lead Vox). They were generally really nice, down to earth guys. I found them easy to talk to both in the interview and throughout the night in the club. We started out with basic introductions then moved into some band history. Founded in 2013, by Magus and von Bewitcher, as a studio project, they transitioned into live action in 2015. (A. Hunter joining in 2018.) I asked them how they describe their style, in their own words. With a sly smile, von Bewitcher answered with the quote from above: “Heavy Metal at the Speed of Satan.” (Taken from the lyrics of “Black Speed Delirium” from their 2016 self titled album; it is a fair assessment.)
We discussed who the band considers their major influences to which I got a fairly predictable response: Midnight, Speedwolf, Venom, Motorhead, ZZ top and Judas Priest . From the rising stars of today to some of the undisputed greats; Bewitcher claims a strong pedigree. While discussing their style, we broached the subject of lyrical themes and the frequent use of Satanism in their content. While von Bewitcher did say there “are elements of the Satanic thing that resonate with me personally. I think everybody in this band can probably say that.” He elaborated further with, “the focus is more on, like, witchcraft these days,” and that the band does not affiliate with The Church of Satan’s philosophy or the belief in Satan as a metaphysical entity. In short, for Bewitcher, Satan is about rebellion and is a “symbol for Rock N’ Roll.” The band is currently at the beginning of a run with Municipal Waste and Integrity. They will be back at our own Grog Shop Aug 11th in support of Goatwhore. I thanked Bewitcher for their time and headed off in search of my next victims. Check out their new album, “Cursed be thy Kingdom,” available now. I bought that shit and it’s straight up a ripper; the song “Valley of the Ravens” is amazing.
M. von Bewitcher & A. Magus
The club was finally open for staff, artists and gonzo journalists. I secured my wristband and before too long the guys from Wraith emerged. I was fortunate enough to meet with Matt Sokol (Vocals/Guitar) and Jason Schultz (Lead Guitar). I found out the Wraith is a four piece which hails from Griffith, Indiana. They have been together since late 2015 putting out their first release in 2016. Matt is the founder of the band, adding Jason and their other members Mike Szymendera (Drums) and Chris Petkus (Bass) later. “Aggressive Blackened Thrash Metal” and “Very much a freight train” were the two descriptors I got when I asked them to define their sound in their own words. I inquired as to their tour history and learned that they had toured the U.S. extensively and hope to move into international gigs once COVID related issues relax further abroad.
Matt & Jason
Next we got to the best part of the interview, when we discussed Wraith’s newest album “Undo the Chains.” Released last September, they call it their strongest effort to date. They believe they have solidified their sound and lineup, as well as grown from their last album. “While Absolute Power was awesome” Matt told me, “Chains for us is just kind of the next step in the evolution.” Jason said how much he “enjoyed the process because it was the first time with this line up; the four of us, really sat down and like jammed the songs out.” He then went on to describe how the writing of the album was a pure collaboration that helped to solidify and strengthen the band’s sound. I asked how the fans had responded and both men gave enthusiastic replies sighting soaring Spotify numbers and killer live memories of crowd chants on “Gatemaster.” We explored the notion that there is no better feeling, as a lyricist, than to see fans singing along to your words. Wraith Frontman believes it is “The highest compliment.” I couldn’t agree more.
Wraith - Undo The Chains, Available Now!
Next we talked about “Black Speed Metal” as a emerging subgenre and its growing momentum, especially here in the Rustbelt. While Bewitcher may be from Portland; Wraith, like Cleveland’s own Midnight, is a Midwestern band. Many of the very unique bands flying the banner of the new “B.S.M.” aka “Blackened Thrash” are from our own backyards and they are “making our stamp on the Metal timeline” according to Sokol. Wraith and I agreed that this genre is something akin to a mass tribute to Motorhead and its iconic founder Lemmy Kilmister. They shared insights into the underground network of bands, trading shows and fans across our region. We all thought it would be one hell of an idea to put together an all Speed Metal Festival, bringing these acts to one location for a weekend; to unify the fans and promote the music. Let’s hope that happens someday. We could call it “Lemmyfest.” Wraith will appear in Rockford July 2nd, Chicago July 11th and returning to Ohio to rock Youngstown July 29th at Into The Darkness Fest. Check them out. As you’ll hear later, they are not to be missed.
Heading back in I wrangled all four members of Assault, for a lengthy conversation in the bowels of The Foundry. I will hold off on sharing the details of that with you until a forthcoming article in preparation for the release of their album “A Blind Eye” on July 15th. Stayed tuned for that one, it should be a good read.
Then, at long last, I completed my interviews and emerged from the basement to find the club was filling up. Among the hooligans in attendance was four of my metal crew: Chen, Face, Jimmy and Aaron. If you read RbRR #12 you’ll recall that I had converted J&A into Assault fans at that show. Now it was time for Chen and Face: two well educated and highly critical Rock N’ Roll aficionados.
Assault: Dave, Dylan, Dom
Assault was opening the show Friday night; luckily their loyal fans came out early. When they hit the stage, the back room of Foundry had a good amount of people present, and that number was growing. The lights dropped and The Thrash Kings of Cleveland plugged in to do their thing. Opening with their trademark kick in the crotch, “Death Solution” Assault had the room energized instantly.
Dom, Dylan, Dave
Pounding rhythms, rumbling bass and inconceivable solos commenced. “Leech”came next with its psychotically methodical meter. The title track to the forthcoming record “A Blind Eye” exploded, sending moshers into a frenzy. Things only got wilder after that as they blasted us with my two favorites; back to back.
Dylan & Dom
“Obey/Decay”exhibiting the bands soloing at its best, followed by the new single “Antebellum” which packs enough heat to fry an egg. They closed out with the pure destructive force of “Obliviate” putting the floor into one final violent outburst. Assault left the stage to a cacophony of screams for more. In fact the only complaint I had on the night was that Assault’s set was cut short by their timeslot restrictions. Them’s the breaks, kids. I do however think it is important to mention that Assault plays just as hard whether they are playing first, last or any point in between. It’s good to see that these young bloods take every show seriously and give the crowd one hell of a performance regardless of position. Oh, and in case you were wondering, Chen gave Assault his stamp of approval, and Face left the show with a new “Second Head of The Snake” T-shirt.
Burial Oath: Jesse, Sean, Dom
Up next was Cleveland's Black Metal power trio Burial Oath. Back from the pits of quarantine, this was their first performance since before the plague ran wild. They began to turn heads before the set even started as the band erected an altar on the stage, complete with candles, incense and an animal skull painted with, presumably, occult symbols. They opened the set with, Dom (Guitar/Backing Vox) and Sean’s(Bass Player/Vox), backs turned to the crowd (Sean performing shirtless, his torso fully tatted in a tapestry of what appeared to be heathen imagery.)
Sean
The band began with a lengthy and melodic instrumental named “The Ritual” before breaking into some very fast aggressive Black Metal entitled “Conjuring Unholy Light.” Brutal shrieking vocals erupted from Sean with additional roars inserted by Dom, as they summoned “Coffin Nails” and “A Graven Wintertide” . Drummer Jesse pounded out a continuous stream of blast beats leaving no instant free of percussive impact, throughout numbers like “A Shadow Suspended in Dusk” and “Void Hunter.” They closed the set out with “Pagan Fires.” (You can check out the video on Youtube.)
The Altar of Burial Oath
While I have said in the past that Black Metal is not my forte, I did find Burial Oath’s altar, as well as their impassioned performance to be impressive. I always love to see an underground band commit to a little stage theatrics and pageantry. Metal as an art form has many facets that extend beyond the audio which add layers of effect, enhancing the music, Burial Oath gets this. Beyond that I found their instrumentation to be impressive. At times they delved into melodic atmospheric music that was similar to their intro piece. I enjoyed this as it helped add contrast and, well, beauty, to their savage attack. I caught up with Dom after the set. I learned the band was formed in 2015. They consider their music to be “More Antitheistic than Satanic” and they are trying to distance themselves from the traditional Satanic imagery of Black Metal. You can catch them live at The Empire in Akron on July 8th. And be sure to pick up their albums“Subjugation of the Bastard Son” and“Beyond the Vale of Shadowlands.”
Now it was time for the first of our visiting guests. Indiana’s Wraith was set to take the stage and I was excited. I had picked up a few of Wraith’s albums recently, and really enjoyed what I had heard. I couldn’t wait to see what they had to bring to the table in a live setting. Well, suffice to say, I was not disappointed. Breaking into “Call me (The Destroyer)” followed closely by “Dominator” they began their relentless aggressive attack on The Foundry. New favorite “Gatemaster” had this author singing along, while “At The Stake” fueled the moshpit to even higher levels of fury. Among the flailing lunatics was spotted Dylanof Assault, risking life and limb in support of his fellow Metalheads. Digging deeper into the catalogue they pulled out old favorites“Heed the Warning,”followed by “Hell.”
Jason, Matt, Chris. (Crowbar shirts are always worth bonus points.)
The crowd was losing their minds by this point and the pit was bordering on out of control as enthusiasm for Wraith soared. I have to agree, I was feeling it too. Things only escalated further as they kicked it up with “War of Aggression”followed by their beast of a song “Absolute Power.” My personal favorite from “Undo The Chains,” “Cloaked in Black”came next and I was blown away. This song is a certified earth shaker, and it fucking rocks. Wraith closed the set with “Meaningless Planet”and then “Devils Hour.” The pit raged. Bodies flew, bounced, fell and rose again as the Cleveland faithful sacrificed their flesh and bones in honor of Wraith’s… absolute power.
Matt
Jason
Wow. I mean, fucking wow. Wraith was something truly wicked; a real monster. I have rarely seen an out of town band, who had never played Cleveland before, come in and completely own a club the way Wraith did Friday night. The Rustbelt Rockers in attendance fell in love, and my crew was among them. Aaron wanted me to tell my readers that he thought “Wraith has soul!” I agreed. After meeting these guys and then seeing them play, I am a true fan. Jason Schultz was amazing, performing solos that were both complex and savage. These dudes absolutely bleed Thrash in their souls and they play it accordingly.
Mike
Chris
The merch table was mobbed by the time I made my way to the bar area again. I looked around and saw a panting, sweaty mess of a room. The kids had gone all out for Wraith, and they were clearly feeling the after effects: They looked dead on their feet. I found myself wondering how Bewitcher could match Wraith’s intensity, and how the crowd would summon the energy to support another high speed Blackened Thrash act.
A. Hunter
Now, I don’t know if we were just tired. Mayhaps altered states did somehow bend time and space around me, but it seemed as if Bewitcher went on really quickly after Wraith finished. I barely had time to, um, hydrate, before they broke into “Death Returns…” sending Rock riffs reflecting of every surface and into the hungry ears of Cleveland Metalheads. The weary but enthusiastic crowd packed around the stage and hoisted horns. The crowd may have been worn weary, but Bewitcher wasn’t accepting it. With their hair down and eye makeup smeared, they followed with “Satanic Magick Attack” and “Speed til you Bleed.”
M. von Bewitcher
Neck snapping head banging on the floor was as constant as Bewitcher’s energy. “Hexenkrieg,” “Under the Witching Cross” and “Too Fast for the Flame,” came in quick succession. This montage was enough to reinvigorate the crowd, and conjured a Mosh Pit of catastrophic intensity. “Electric Phantoms” and “Heathen Woman”pushed the energy even further. That vibe was carried forward into “Cursed be thy Kingdom,” “The Sin is in Her Blood” and “The Widows Blade.” They closed with their self titled track “Bewitcher” drawing one last destructive Moshing experience from the fans, before calling it a night. The Foundry roared in approval and appreciation as the Portland three piece said farewell and left the stage.
M.von Bewitcher & A. Magus
I said goodnight to the bands and my friends and headed to the car. Driving home, with Face riding shotgun, we reflected on the incredible show we had just experienced. Four bands which absolutely crush in their own genres. A crowded club, full of enthusiastic fans, completely losing their shit for Metal; sweet seductive and savage; glorious elating Metal. Hail Lemmy, oh what an evening! I get emotional over nights like this. This scene is strong and getting stronger. These shows keep getting more and more intense. The crowds are growing, and I see familiar faces more often than ever before. It is empowering. I’ve found a new home Cleveland Metal heads. Or perhaps I have just returned to an old one. I haven’t felt this sense of community since the days of Mushroomhead playing the Peabody’s in the Flats. This is important, and it is one hell of a good time. Won’t you come out and experience it with me? Come bang your head and be part of this Rustbelt’s rising Zeitgeist. Thank you all for reading, and for rocking. This ride is far from over, and there is pretty of room on this party bus. Won’t you buy a ticket and come ride these wheels of steel?
Until next time, Rock on, Rustbelt!
-Z.M. Delgado
Rustbelt Rock Review
Zackolantern.com
6/20/22
Bewitcher
@bewitcherofficial
Wraith
@wraiththrash
Burial Oath
Burialoath.bandcamp.com
@burial_oath
Assault
@assaultcle
