Assault Album Release w/ Atomic Witch & Necroprophecy
Rustbelt Rock Reviews
By: Z.M. Delgado
Zackolantern.com
Volume #22: Assault “A Blind Eye” Release Party w/ Atomic Witch & Necroprophecy
July 23rd, 2022
The Grog Shop 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44106
Raise your hands if you had a pretty nice little Saturday. What did you do? Did a little yard work, did ya? Maybe had a cold one and just relaxed? Did you put your feet up and do a little Netflix and chill? Or maybe, you just turned in early, to catch up on your Zzz’s. If you answered Yes to any of this, then my friend you missed out! You see, there was only one place to be Saturday July 23rd, and that was the Assault “A Blind Eye” album release party at the Grog Shop. This has been the most talked about event in the Metal Underground for the past year, as fans have anxiously awaited the record's release. That officially went down on July15th, and if you read RbRR #20 you already know it is an absolute killer. For all of us, this has been a journey; one that began back in RbRR #7 and finally reached its climactic finale this past weekend. What follows is my brief account of what went down at what was one of the most fun Metal shows this author has ever attended.
Soundcheck with Assault
Chen and I arrived at the Grog around 7, about an hour before doors. We were greeted by members of Necroprophecy who informed us Assault was just beginning sound check. We slipped in amongst musicians who were busy ferrying their equipment inside. With a nod to the band we settled in and enjoyed the process. Deciding their sound was of sufficient quality, Assault dismounted the stage and we exchanged greetings. Over at the merch table we got to survey the new swag and had first pickings of the goodies. I scored both of the new shirt designs and, of course, a copy of the new album. Each one was hand numbered by the band (I am the proud owner of #35.) and the guys were more than happy to sign our copies. It was around this time that I first perused the interior of the sleeve. It includes some very cool artwork and full lyrics for fan memorization. This, as I looked over the liner notes, is when I received a most welcome surprise: I found my own name listed among the faithful! Credited for being Assault’s “biggest hype man,” I have never felt so honored. Thank you Assault for giving me a seat at the table, and for this appreciation, which is more than I could have ever asked for. Horns up, brothers!
Before long doors opened, along with the bar and Chen and I grabbed a pair of much needed tall cans. We were both very excited and apparently we weren’t alone. I watched, with a satisfied grin, as a long, steady stream of fans poured in through the doors as quickly as the staff could get wrist bands on them. This was a show that we’d all been waiting for, for a very long time, and the fact that it was here had Chen and I amped. (Add in the liner notes revelation and I was especially geeked.) I was also nervous about an upcoming eventuality: I was tasked with introducing Assault to their fans that night. I had volunteered and been granted the honor by the band, which initially I was very excited about. As the day neared, I began to seriously doubt whether it was a good idea. I had some… questions as to my abilities to measure up to the task. Dr. Chen prescribed more liquid courage, and I liberally applied the cure. Luckily, the music was about to begin. Before my nerves could eat me alive, I had something very heavy to distract me.
Necroprophecy: Jacques, Tyler, Jake
Up first was Necroprophecy: a three piece, who I would characterize as Blackened Death Metal. They came out hard with “Poison Curse,” conjuring a moshpit for the very first song of the evening. This was an encouraging sign, showing the crowd was eager and in an energetic mood. Not surprisingly, Chris Maggot of Mutilation Barbecue was at the center of it all, stirring the pot of the scene that he so frequently brings to a boil. On the stage Necroprophecy continued a very solid, rocking set with “Bloodied Grave” and a cover of Sodom’s “Blasphemer.”
Jake Espinoza
Vocalist/Bass Jake Espinoza led the charge with his rasping snarls and menacing laughter. While Guitarist Jacques Missire, with a bloody inverted cross painted on his forehead, laid out some very impressive riffs. Drummer Tyler Noga pounded out a jackhammer rhythm throughout “Blinded by Mystery,” and “Slaughtered on Sight” driving the moshpit consistently. Well, except for one point when the pit stopped and seven dudes linked arms and started doing a high kicking impression of the Rockettes. It was a bizarre and entertaining display of fanhood, which I found hilarious in my inebriation.
Jacques Missire
They played an impressive set that I really enjoyed, closing out with a well received cover of “Messiah” by Hellhammer. Necroprophecy finished strong and ended to enthusiastic applause. Their fans were really intense and the band matched them in kind throughout. I found the stage energy invigorating and the sound to be sonically intense. For as dark and heavy as they were, they had a fun vibe and a lot of great banter with each other and the crowd. They are a band that I hope to see again in the future and I look forward to the potential of a demo coming this September.
Atomic Witch
Another round of tall cans in hand, and it was time for Atomic Witch. This 5 piece band has been on the peripheries of my radar for some time. I had heard a few recorded songs in the past and found them interesting enough to put them on my hit list; so I was understandably excited when Assault announced them in support on this bill. Opening with “Cemetery Mud” they came out with fury and my first notation on the band simply reads: “Fucking Awesome!” The next line describes their animated frontman, Greg Martinis, who was adorned in a lime green ski mask.
Atomic Witch
Jonah Meister
He twisted and contorted his body through “Funeral Lust,” “Crypt of the Sleepless Malice,” and “Leather Noose” while serving up a growl that sounded nothing short of evil incarnate. This was accented by Death Metal and Falsetto vocals provided by Guitarist Jesse Shattuck. The moshpit picked up right where Necroprophecy left it, and Atomic Witch added crowd surfers to the mix.
Anthony Allen(left) Greg Matinis(right)
The aggression continued in “70,000 Skulls” and “Void Curse” which were both intense and frightening. They finished up with “Spooky Technology” and their single “She Drifts” which brought the crowd to new levels of madness. Atomic Witch has a style that is fast and heavy, while adding breakdowns and riffs that hold mindbending qualities that would be equally well suited to a horror score.
Jesse Shattuck (center) Nick Amato (left)
There is something very frightening lurking within the music of this band. They have a strange and unique sound, blending elements of Thrash, Death, Black and Power Metal. They are almost like a hybrid of Behemoth, Slayer and King Diamond. It is a very cool mix, and I highly recommend you check them out. They currently have 5 songs available on Bandcamp, which will give you a taste of what this band can summon.
It was here that the fear threatened to take me. I realized that the moment had arrived when I would have to climb the stage and introduce the “Kings of Cleveland Thrash” to the crowd. I finished my beer pretty quickly, and procured another. Gulping down that liquid courage I soon heard Dylan summon me to the stage to do my duty. With a deep breath I climbed up and introduced myself. I was pleased by the modest applause I received. It was nice to be welcomed, but more than that, it gave me the impression that many of you, my loyal readers, were amongst the crowd.
Welcoming Assault to the stage!
Anyway, after I said my piece, I got the absolute pleasure of leading the fans in a thunderous chant of “Ahhh-Salt! Ahhh-Salt!” until the room absolutely shook. Returning to the crowd, I became just another overjoyed spectator as Assault took charge and rocked the Grog. From “Death Solution” to “Let it Burn” they played all of “A Blind Eye.” Each and every song from the album was flawlessly delivered as promised.
Assault
In addition they treated us to some real rarities. A brand new song, entitled “Pinnacle of Suffering.” Covers of Slayer’s “Black Magic” and Metallica’s “Seek and Destroy” were brought down with as much fire as the original artists ever managed. “The Ending is Near,” from the original demo, was displayed for the first time in a while, and dedicated to your humble narrator. I was so grateful for this third acknowledgment that I felt compelled to risk my old spine and threw myself into the pit (a truly rare occurrence these days). I am still feeling it in my ribs, now two days later, but I REGRET NOTHING!
Dom
Like I have said many times, Assault writes music that has the same power as Thrash from the glory days: The music I listened to as I was growing up. Seeing them play always takes a solid two or three decades off my age, and this Saturday, I really felt like a teenager again. Assault played a phenomenal set. Chen told me, it was the best he had ever seen them. For a band that is known for raw combustion on the stage, they absolutely raised the bar.
Dylan
Dom and Dylan’s guitar work was on point, every note crisp and precise. The vocals were passionate and angry, like the boys were feeling each and every word uttered. Rolling Thunder earns his stage name all over again each time he plugs in, but he was in rare form for this show. His bass licks shook the walls, rattled the pipes and vibrated the fucking floor.
Rolling Thunder
Owen
Owen’s drumming was sheer perfection as he challenged his bandmates to play harder and faster than ever before. Assault is a damn good band name, but it is not a savage enough crime to describe how brutal this band really is. Assault and Battery? No. Assault with a Deadly Weapon? Nope. Attempted murder? Better, but still nah. Not even straight up Aggravated Murder covers it. This band is the auditory equivalent to Global Genocide. They are as hard and as fast; as heavy and aggressive; as technically proficient as any band I have ever heard. This Saturday at the Grog Shop they showcased every ounce of it. The Kings of Cleveland Thrash took their throne and they looked damn good sitting on it.
The Kings of Cleveland Thrash
When the set ended, I said a quick goodbye to Dylan and headed for the door. The boys were mobbed and the merch table was buried in eager fans. They didn’t need my nosing around looking for quotes and holding up the line. They had better things to do. Chen and I headed out, chattering the entire way home about what a great set it had been. Not just a great set, but a great night. The bands were all really exceptional. Necroprophecy opened things up right, Atomic Witch kept the energy high and Assault most definitely brought the house down. The crowd turnout was beyond expectations, and while I never got an official count from the door, I would estimate we were near a capacity crowd. And the energy! It was unreal. That electricity in the air, I have described in past articles was certainly present. There was a buzz in the street before doors even opened, with kids hanging out in front of the Grog hours before show time. Once doors opened, the line was loooooong. It was honestly unreal. I am proud of this scene after what went down Saturday night. The crowd was huge and burning with passionate energy. I witnessed enthusiastic applause, constant moshing for every song by every band, crowd surfing, with people literally swinging from the ceiling, and a Wall of Death. Now that, Ladies and Germs, is what I call a thriving Metal Scene. This is what it is all about: Familiar faces, word of mouth promotion, passionate fandom. We have a pile of great bands in this town, and they are backing each other up. As I already mentioned Mutilation Barbecue was represented in the crowd. Also spotted were members of Paradox Rift and Bessemer Saints! You can only guess how many other musicians were on the scene that I failed to notice. Let’s face it; if you are involved in Cleveland Underground, this was a show that was not to be missed. It was a veritable “Who’s Who” of Cleveland Metal.
"A Blind Eye" Available now!
Looking back now, I realize I may have done a bad job. I was so nervous about being on stage, and so excited about all that was happening that… I kind of didn’t fulfill my obligations. I should have interviewed half the crowd and gotten fan feedback. All of you were the real story. That energy running through us all, where it comes from and where it will take us: That is what I’m really documenting here. Assault has been our flagship thus far, but this ship is just leaving the harbor. The album is out, and now it is time to support it. For those of you who haven’t picked up “A Blind Eye” as of yet, there is still time. However, this first limited pressing will no doubt be sold out very soon. If you want this priceless piece of Cleveland Rock N’ Roll history, I suggest you act fast. For those of us who have; for those who were there: Rest up. Hydrate and let those bruises and split lips heal. We have work to do, and I’ll need all of you to help me do it. We have to keep up this momentum. Now it’s on to the next gig, the next club and the next night of headbanging together. I hope to see you there.
Until next time, Rock on, Rustbelt!
-Z.M. Delgado
Rustbelt Rock Review
Zackolantern.com
7/25/2022
Assault
@assaultcle
Atomic Witch
https://atomicwitch.bandcamp.com/
@atomicwitch_
Necroprophecy
@necroprophecy.official
