Vol. #113: Immolation, Castrator & Atomic Witch
Rustbelt Rock Review
By: Z.M. Delgado
Rustbeltrockreview.com
Volume #113: Immolation, Castrator & Atomic Witch
December 3, 2023
Grog Shop, 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd, Cleveland Heights, OH 44106
Good morning my Rustbelt Rockers and welcome to the one hundred and thirteenth edition of the Rustbelt Rock Review. This week I found myself headed to the Grog Shop to check out some very heavy shit indeed. The acts in question were Death Metal monsters Immolation and Castrator as well as the unclassifiable beast that is Atomic Witch. I arrived about fifteen minutes after doors, and made my way inside. There I found the boys from Atomic Witch meandering around the merch tables. I said hello and took a minute to introduce myself to members of the other bands. From there I wandered the club, observing and chatting with folks when I had the chance. The time passed quickly and before too long I couldn’t help but notice that there was a sizable crowd taking shape. In fact, considering it was a Sunday night, I would have to say the turnout was excellent. With the first wave of early fans in place, it was time for some music. Collectively we gathered around the stage and made ourselves ready for the first act.
Atomic Witch
Kicking things off was a band that surely needs no introduction to you, my dedicated reader. For those of you who are new to my ramblings, allow me to break it down for you. Atomic Witch is a five man Metal band consisting of a Vocalist, Guitar/Vocals, Guitar, Bass and Drums. Their style is a bizarre amalgam of various Metal disciplines including Heavy Metal, Thrash, Death and Black. I like to use the term Blackened Death Thrash when I describe them, but that descriptor falls well short of the mark. Suffice to say, to understand Atomic Witch, you have to hear them first hand. But I digress… as I said, there was a nice early crowd in place. Fans were packed in ready to begin, and Atomic Witch obliged them. Jumping directly into the set without introduction the hammered into “Cemetery Mud.” From the first note, Atomic Witch sounded great. With their unapologetic aggression, two pronged Vocal attack and air tight musicianship they kicked things off with a bestial bang. Announcing “We’re the fucking Witch!,” they jumped into “70,000 Skulls” with little delay. The Thrashy riffs came like a chainsaw, and chewed through he ears of listeners. Here I made a note about the fantastic stage energy that the band displayed. All members of the band Rocked out with sufficient force, most notably their ski-mask wearing Vocalist, who writhed and contorted like a man possessed. All around the room people were headbanging and there was some movement down in front as the band broke into “Crypt of Sleepless Malice.” The finale of this song is always a perverse and horrifying spectacle to behold, as the frontman gyrates and contorts to the disintegrating melodies. About this time I noticed some intricate drumwork on display. This was especially evident on the next song, “Leather Noose,” which has some excellent action from the percussionist. Here the band broke into their new two song EP, “Charmed by Darkness.” Dropping “Skelecidal” and then “Vicious Mistress” they brought the new compositions to life fantastically. Around this time the first moshpit of the evening popped up, sending dedicated fans into spirals of destruction. “Spooky Technology” was next on the agenda. With a hyper aggressive and shocking falsetto notes Atomic Witch seized the room by the collective throats and shook. Closing out with the terrifying “She Drifts,” they put forward a ghastly display of supernatural magnificence. Earning big applause from the faithful fans, Atomic Witch finished strong. Like some kind of Psychedelic, Heavy Metal nightmare, The Witch creates music unlike any other. If you are looking for a sound that is truly unique, coupled with a vibe that is pure insanity, then I highly recommend Atomic Witch. They are a show unlike any other.
Eric Stevenson: The Official Tattoo Artist of the RbRR
Castrator
I stepped outside for a few minutes to puff my vape and breathe in some of that free American air. Soon enough I returned to the stage and positioned myself for the evenings next offering: Castrator. This is a four piece, female fronted act, built from Vocals, Guitar, Bass and Drums. They are originally from New York, but have connections to other towns, and currently call Cleveland home. They play a style that is somewhere in the realm of Blackened Death Metal. The still growing crowd was packing in as the band took to the stage. They opened up hard and heavy, unleashing an onslaught of Death Metal terror. Their second song had some nice, fast riff work and I noted here that their Vocalist had great stage presence. On their third track, I was floored by the punishing beat and was impressed when the second moshpit of the night started up. Their fourth number was really badass. The Vocalist showed off not only rumbling low gutturals, but also some higher snarls. At this point I have to say I was impressed with her range. On the fifth song I made another note about her stage presence. Here I wrote, “The Vocalist projects strength in every movement and every note.” With a crushing breakdown this song inspired another moshpit. The rage stayed at a high level and the moshing continued into the sixth song. This track was really hammering and had a riff like an ax. For their seventh cut, I noted the song was “Intense and angry. Aggressive from every conceivable angle; pure brutality.” Their eighth track, which I believe was entitled “Tyrant’s Verdict,” had a Guitar riff that was very chuggy and plodding. Their ninth and final song was upbeat and jamming with a really rocking riff. They finished up to huge applause and were sent off like conquering heroes. Castrator had been excellent. They provided a very solid set, with power and authority woven into each song. The crowd seemed to eat up what they were dealing out and rocked out accordingly. If you like nasty ass Metal, with vile notes of hatred intertwined with each and every song, then I would say, check out Castrator right away.
Immolation
With our opening acts now finished, I wandered back outside. I got my head together again, before returning to the stage for our headliner: Immolation. In from New York, this is a Death Metal band made up of Bass/Vocals, two Guitars and Drums. The room was packed with Metalheads all waiting in dire anticipation. The set began with the club being cast into darkness. The crowd erupted in cheers as we could just make out the band members taking to the stage. Then the lights jumped up, and the first song began. With great stage presence, they fired up a classic Death Metal sound and the crowd reacted accordingly. Their second song had a very nice opening riff, with a wild and noisy guitar solo. The breakdown was merciless here, and a big moshpit opened up in response. That moshing continued into the third song, and there was a roar from the crowd as the eager fans demanded more. Their fourth cut, “Once Ordained,” dredged up another pit, large and wild, and my notes read, “crowd really feeling it.” On their fifth track I was impressed with the percussion. Here I jotted down that the “Drumwork is apocalyptic.” The Vox rumbled across the room and the Guitarist produced another highly technical solo wowing all in attendance. Their sixth song was more of the same: heavy drums, cutting riffs and low vibrating vocals. The moshpit returned for “When Halos Burn.” Another blistering Guitar solo had fans howling in approval, as dancing broke out at center floor. Their eighth song had a big, spooky intro and summoned another wrathful moshpit. Next came the song “Apostle.” The pit raged forward as deep vox roared, creating a wall of Death Metal sound. The room was alive with stomping, dancing and headbanging all around me. The dancing graduated back into the realm of moshing as the tenth song of the set began. A hard driving rhythm had the pit moving as bodies flew and fell, left and right. The eleventh song was no different. The kids seemed to want to rip each other to shreds more and more as the set progressed. Horns were hoisted across the club as the band fired up the twelfth song in the set. The pit rolled on unabated and somehow grew in intensity. By the time the thirteenth and final song of the set arrived, the room was in a full blown frenzy. “Epiphany” was the name of the last one, and the fans went absolutely wild for it. The pit exploded one final time and I for one was impressed. The room burst with cheers as the fans sent Immolation off with nothing but love. Yes, Immolation had thoroughly rocked the Grog. Their Death Metal style wound the crowd up to a fever pitch before unleashing them back upon themselves in a flurry of destruction. If you are a fan of old school Death Metal, with hard edged riffs, deep rumbling Vox and intricately crafted solos, then Immolation might just be the band for you.
And as so often happens, the show came to a close. I said goodnight to my cohorts and made my way to the door. It had been a great show. The crowd was amped and of a very nice size, especially considering it was a Sunday night. Atomic Witch, as always was fabulous. They brought their own spooky brand of Metal to the stage and in doing kicked off the show with staggering force. Castrator kicked ass, plain and simple. They served up their brand of Death Metal and did so with fury. They grabbed the Grog Shop by it’s collective balls and loped those bad boys off without apology. Finally, Immolation had been a wild ride. They delivered a sizable portion of Old School Death Metal and the fans gobbled it up. Leaving the faithful at the Grog battered, bruised and no doubt sore, yet satisfied. Yes, it had been a good night for Metal. I suppose that is all I can ask for, when I set out on these adventures. After all, as I’m sure you would agree,“a good night for Metal,” is a good night indeed. On that note I will say farewell to this edition. As always, bang your head, wear your earplugs and thank you for reading.
Until next time, Rock on, Rustbelt,
-Z.M. Delgado
Rustbelt Rock Review
Rustbeltrockreview.com
12/4/2023
Links:
Atomic Witch
https://atomicwitch.bandcamp.com/music
Castrator
https://castrator.bandcamp.com/music
Immolation
https://immolation.bandcamp.com/music
