Rustbelt Rock Review

By: Z.M. Delgado

Rustbeltrockreview.com

Volume #111: Lower 13, Imminent Sonic Destruction, Terranoct & Revolver Revolver

November 17th, 2023

The Foundry Concert Club 11729 Detroit Ave, Lakewood, OH 44107

Good evening my friends and welcome back to the Rustbelt Rock Review. This weeks edition will feature an amazing show I took in this Friday. My evening began early as I headed west toward the home of my close friend “The German.” I arrived and we shot the shit for a time, trying to decide what to do with our evening. You see there were two shows going on Friday and I was on the fence as to which one I would attend. We hit his dab rig for a time and twisted our minds sufficiently while trying to make our decision. Still not coming to any conclusion we decided to figure it out later and headed over to the clubs. After a few stops and a bit of wandering we settled upon the Foundry. (The final factor being that this show started earlier and we were really in the mood for some music.) We paid the cover and wandered in, finding the room already beginning to acquire a nice crowd. The bill for the evening featured the unparalleled talents of Lower 13, as they unveiled their new EP “Deception.” With support from Imminent Sonic Destruction, Terranoct and Revolver Revolver, it was looking to be a solid bill. We puffed on our vapes and enjoyed the atmosphere as we waited. Luckily it wasn’t long before the first act of the night was gearing up for their set.

Starting things off was Revolver Revolver. This is a four man group consisting of Keyboards/Vocals, Bass, Drums and Guitar, with backing Vox coming from the Bassist and Guitarist. They utilize all clean vocals over a very Piano driven, Hard Rock sound. There was a nice crowd in place forming an arc before the stage. From note one, these early birds were very into the set. Cheering, dancing and singing along, Revolver Revolver’s fans came to party! The first song had kind of a ballad feel that elicited some rhythmic hand clapping from the fans, and earned them big applause upon it’s completion. The second song started out with a spooky sort of piano intro. It then picked up it’s tempo and developed into a pretty Rockin’ jam. The third track began very mellow, but built toward an emotional break, where the bands passion was apparent. I noted here that the Drums were especially hard edged and also that the song contained some excellent three part vocal harmony. Their fourth number was another Piano driven, Rock song with a killer Guitar solo. Midway through this one, the music stand attached to the keyboard collapsed, spilling papers across the stage. The band played on, perhaps a bit flustered, but without making any perceivable mistakes. In between songs they struggled to reattach the stand, but to no avail, the singer was forced to continue with his notes in his lap. I noted their fifth song had a “pretty cool intro,” a “Rockin’ transition” and some “nice quick keyboard cuts.” The sixth song in the set was another ballad of sorts. This song had a lot of heart and more of that three part vocal harmony. Closing out the set they played us a nice fat instrumental. I found it to be a very intriguing and trippy piece of music. The song came melodic, it’s notes drifting haphazardly upon the clouds produced by the fog machine. It built and built, becoming an ever more impressive composition. Upon it’s completion, the crowd roared. Clearly happy with the quality of the set, the fans let Revolver Revolver know… at the tops of their lungs! In the end I have to say, Revolver Revolver played an outstanding set. The fans in attendance seemed to go wild for them, filling the club with cheers. I for one found them to be a very interesting and grooving act. Their music was smooth and slick without a doubt and they performed it with expert precision. While Revolver Revolver certainly isn’t what I would classify as “Heavy,” they definitely know how to Rock. For certain they are a band that is worth your time to check out.

On the other hand, if I was in search of something heavy, I need look no further than the second act of the evening. Next on the agenda was Terranoct. This is a four man act made up of two Guitars, Drums and a Vocalist. I would classify them as existing somewhere on the Death Metal spectrum, though I won’t speculate as to a subgenre. However you characterize them, with their twin Guitar attack, nasty Vocals and absolutely hammering drums, they came out ultra heavy. I was initially impressed and found myself banging my head. Unfortunately the set that followed would be plagued by technical difficulties and sound problems. First off I found the Vocals to be tucked too far back in the mix. You could hear them, but they weren’t nearly loud enough to punch properly. Next the lead Guitarists amp cut out, leaving a gaping hole in the bands sound. After the completion of the first song, there was a break in the set while the sound engineer and Guitarist frantically began to trouble shoot the problem. We waited. Before too long they had the problem rectified, or so they thought, and the set continued. Terranoct’s second song opened up noisy and at high speed. The riffs came with fury as the two Guitar onslaught continued. The sound was brutally chaotic, with abrupt transitions. This one also had a melodic portion tucked away in the middle which had a very nice tone to it. Their third song was extremely aggressive with some very intricate Guitar work and ripping solo’s. The fourth number had a chugging riff that had the crowd pumping their fists in time with the rhythm. While the lead Vox were still too low, some strong Backing Vocals really added meat to the sound. This song had fairly complex ax work and some interesting melodies that I enjoyed. Here we got what appeared to be a slick solo from the second Guitarist, however he too was turned down, and as such the solo went unheard. On their fifth and final song, the came out hard fast and belligerent. Exhibiting some really shredding Guitar chops, the song started out excellent. However midway through, again the lead Guitarist’s sound cut out completely. The sound engineer tried to rectify the problem, but the damage had been done. Whatever the issue was, it rained havoc down upon Terranoct’s set. I can only imagine how frustrated these hard working musicians had to have been to have their set bogged down by tech issues. So what else can I tell you? What I can say is that Terranoct played very hard. They pushed through the ups and downs of the set, and never let it stop them. That in and of itself is commendable. So if you like super aggressive, Guitar heavy, Metal then you should give Terranoct a listen. I’d imagine they might be the exact kind of monster that you’re looking for.

Eric Stevenson: The Official Tattoo Artist of the Rustbelt Rock Review

Once Terranoct finished up, The German and I slipped outside to smoke a doobie. With our buzz renewed, we headed back to the stage and strapped in for the third act of the night. In from Detroit, Imminent Sonic Destruction was next on the evenings forecast. This is a five man group assembled from Guitar/Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Drums and Keyboards. (With backing Vox coming from the second Guitarist, Bassist and Keyboardist.) They opened up with very heavy action as the Keyboards laid down some sweet melodies over it all. The Vocals began clean, but at portions would drop into some of the deepest guttural growls that I have ever heard. This song was extremely interesting, having multiple layers to the sound. I particularly enjoyed the use of the Keys here as well as a very impressive Guitar solo. I also noted that Imminent Sonic Destruction had outstanding stage presence across the board; each member of the band moving and grooving in their own way. The second song opened very melodic, yet had an ever building momentum to it. This one too began with clean vocals, then had gutturals added to the mix as the intensity grew. Again the lead Guitarist unleashed some phenomenal soloing, and I also made a note about the complexity of the drum work. This song had some unbelievable vocal harmonies, using layers of voices both clean and growling to huge effect. The third song was plodding and chugged along nicely. It had great vocal melody and more impressive harmonies. Most awe inspiring was the Guitar solo on this one, which was simply gorgeous. I got completely lost in the moment and I have to say it was the high point of the set for me. Their fourth song was a very pretty, softer number that one could perhaps categorize as a ballad. I found it to be a very moving piece of music where the lead Guitarist unleashed another mind blowing solo. Here I made the note he was “spectacular.” Their fifth and final song opened dark and menacing with pounding drums and an exceptional riff. The synth work was exciting and wicked in it’s tone. The Drummer held the reigns on this one, with a thundering rhythm that held a somewhat tribal quality. The Keyboard player took over lead Vocal for a time, before all their voices came together again in a fantastic unity of notes. I remember being blown away by this song, battling between scribbling on my pad and enjoying the moment. Here I wrote, “This song has so much good going on, I can’t write enough or fast enough.” This notation was followed by “So much heart. So much balls.” The song flowed from soaring harmonies to punishing riffs and back again. As the song, and with it the set, came to a close the room exploded in cheers. Imminent Sonic Destruction earned enormous applause and the band members struggled to off load their gear, as so many people were approaching them to show love. I myself felt obligated to talk to the frontman, and told him I found it a genuine privilege to watch him play. Imminent Sonic Destruction was without a doubt fantastic. I don’t know how to categorize them exactly, as they have so many elements working within their sound. If I had to give them a label, it would be something to the effect of Progressive Death Metal. Honestly though they are a band that sort of defies most labels. They are extremely unique, and have so many obvious influences from different disciplines that it would be a disservice to file them away so simply. To me they are a band that must be experienced. Buy their albums, see them live and trust me, nothing I write here can really prepare you for the auditory roller coaster that is Imminent Sonic Destruction.

With the openers now behind us, it was time for our headlining performers: Lower 13. This is a band that should need no introduction to my regular readers. I believe this is the third time that they have graced the pages of the RbRR. For those of you who missed those issues, I will give you a quick breakdown. Lower 13 is a three man Metal band from Cleveland. They are known for the intricacy of their play as well as their soaring Vocal harmonies. They have a blend of styles to their sound, which includes qualities of Groove, Prog and Thrash Metal; just to name a few. The fans packed in tight around the stage as the band stepped forward. They opened up fast and heavy with the first song from the new EP: “More Time.” Savage, snarling Vocals began the verse, and were followed by clean harmonies for the chorus. I noted that the Vocalists both have exceptional range. Their clean Vox soar with beautiful precision while they deliver growls with the best of them. Next they busted out “The One to Blame,” which elicited a huge crowd reaction. I found it to be “fantastic live;” passionate and pleading. Third in the setlist came one of my personal favorites, “Weight of the World.” This song opened with thunder, and exceptional musicianship. I don’t play Guitar, so I can’t tell you what exactly they were doing up there, but suffice to say, it looked difficult and sounded amazing. In fact my notes read “Simply mind blowing. Amazing live;” which it was. Again dipping into the back catalog again they broke out “Last of Our Kind.” I was wowed by the Bass line on this one, and the drums were absolutely earthshaking. On the chorus the roars came bestial, and the crowd responded with a roar of their own. Fifth in the play list really excited me. “You Just Left Her,” which is my favorite cut from the new EP, was an absolutely beautiful. Filled with passion and pain, the emotions on this song was palpable as it was performed. The harmonies were perfect, the Guitar solo was shredding and I was enthralled. My notes read “I have no words for the power of this moment,” and that is an honest sentiment. It was a hard hitting and magnificent moment in Heavy Metal. Following “You Just Left Her” the band dug even deeper into the catalog and played a song which they called “Testicle Time,” which I believe was in fact “Test of Time” from their first album. This one was very hard and fast, and generated some motion down on the floor. Fans danced and rocked out as Lower 13 churned out the fun and wild romp of a song. Returning to the “Deception” EP, the summoned “Holding on to Misery.” With a dark, heavy riff and a punishing cadence, this song started hard and developed into a full blown rager. Fan favorite “Embrace the Unknown” came next and it went off like an explosion. Hard charging and powerful; the fans lost their minds. Headbanging like crazy, they howled in approval as this track unfolded. Another new one was next: “Your Love’s a Curse.” None of those beautiful harmonies on this song. Instead the two vocalists go back and forth with snarling fury, unleashing a storm. Savage in it’s heaviness, with a quick tempo, this song is a full blown auditory assault. This was the “end of the set” for anyone who was fool enough to think Lower 13 was done. Of course they were not, as they still had one left in the bag for their loyal fans. Diving back into the first album, they delivered it’s title track “Rabid.” This song is intense. The drums absolutely blazed with savagery and speed. The Guitar solo was nothing short of ripping and the Bass work was unbelievable. My notes read the “Bassist’s fingers are moving too fast to track.” “Rabid” had the fans moving and screaming with delight. I for one banged my head like a mad man and sang along at a high volume. It was amazing. With that Lower 13 said goodnight. The fans screamed with pure elation and love. The new “Deception” EP had officially been released into the wild, and it had been received with absolute enthusiasm. If you are reading this and you haven’t yet check out Lower 13 then you absolutely must do so. Their music is masterfully written and expertly performed. Their recordings are essentials and their live show is truly unforgettable. They are a band that I can’t recommend highly enough.

The show came to a close and we slipped out into the chilly November night. We headed back to The German’s place where we smoked down, talked about the show and ended up watching Lake Placid. In the wee hours I eventually headed home and made my way to my bed. I look back now and think, “Wow, what a show!” Revolver Revolver had been really good. I really appreciated their set. They had a chill sort of vibe that was a great way to start off the night. Terranoct had a rough run of luck with their set, but from what I saw they were not band to be trifled with. Their style was nasty and aggressive and was surely a real treat for the Extreme Metal aficionados in the room. Imminent Sonic Destruction was the surprise of the evening. They came in and blew the doors off The Foundry with their one of kind sound, that was equal parts beautiful and brutal. Finally Lower 13 was flawless in execution and mind boggling in their skill. They took us on a sonic journey that was both heavy and harmonious and left all who watched in sheer awe. It was a thing to behold. It is nights like these that keep me going. When I go out and experience something special. Lower 13’s set had been just such a wonder: Pure Metal Magic… On that note, I suppose I will bring this review to a close. Thank you so much for reading, and Rocking along with me. Wear your ear plugs and keep your horns held high!

Until next time, Rock on, Rustbelt,

-Z.M. Delgado

Rustbelt Rock Review

Rustbeltrockreview.com

11/19 - 11/20/2023

Links:

Lower 13

https://www.lower13official.com/

https://www.facebook.com/Lower13official/

Imminent Sonic Destruction

https://imminentsonicdestruction.com/

https://www.facebook.com/imminentsonicdestruction/