Rustbelt Rock Review

By: Z.M. Delgado

Rustbeltrockreview.com

Volume #120: Lower 13, Pagan Impaler, Tundra & Wasted Society

January 20th 2024

Maple Grove Tavern 14832 Pease Road, Maple Heights, Ohio 44137

Greetings Rustbelt Rockers and welcome back to the Review. In this edition we will be looking back on on show I checked out Saturday night. It was hosted by the Maple Grove Tavern and went down on the tail end of what had been a significant snow storm here in Northeast Ohio. So as it goes it was a frigid eve in Maple Heights as I made my way into the Tavern in preparation for the show. I arrived shortly after doors and found the club to already have a substantial crowd in place. I made the rounds and said hello to a few friends. Most notable among these folks was my buddies Shaggy and Terry from Bessemer Saints. (These boys gifted me an advance copy of their new album! Keep your eyes peeled for that review, coming soon!) I then made my way over to the bar and grabbed a stool to wait for the music to start. As it turned out, I wouldn’t have to wait long. Soon enough 8:30 hit and the show began.

First to the stage was Wasted Society. This is a three piece Metal band, with a heavy dose of Punk Rock and a splash of old school Rock N’ Roll instilled into their sound. They are made up of Bass/Vocal, Guitar and Drums. They opened up in a very Rockin’ fashion. Their first song had a grooving Bass line that really took a walk up and down the neck of the Guitar. The Vocals were delivered in a rough and grainy timbre that I really enjoyed. Here we got a very nice Guitar solo as well; the first of many to come. The crowd went fairly wild for this song and that was a trend that would continue. In fact, over the course of their set, Wasted Society garnered a large amount of fan support. The cheers rose at the completion of each track and the applause was never in short supply. Most notably was the sing along the band led to their cover of Outkast’s “Hey Ya,” which had the whole room howling. Their Guitarist was particularly entertaining as he served up one solo after the next. He even left the stage for a time, performing on the floor while walking among the fans! All in all, Wasted Society put on an outstanding set full of energy and attitude. When they finished up the crowd exploded in appreciation. It was clear that all in attendance had really enjoyed what Wasted Society had done. With their blend of styles and uncontested moxie they fired up the club and opened the gig in exactly the right way. They left the stage to grateful fans all offering their congratulations on a most excellent set.

Up next on our evenings agenda was Tundra. This is a four piece Traditional Heavy Metal band, made up of Vocals, Guitar, Bass and Drums. It also happens that this particular night would be Tundra’s first ever live performance. That’s right, I was there to see the maiden voyage of yet another new Cleveland Metal act. This is always something I enjoy. It’s cool to see bands at the beginning of their journey, when they first leave the safety of the garage or basement and venture out into the scene. It’s sink or swim out here, and it was time to see which it would be for Tundra. They opened up with some intricate Bass work and a really ripping riff. I was immediately drawn in to the power of the percussion. The drummer absolutely hammered his kit, which sported a battle worn and severely cracked crash cymbal. Face melting solos and driving rhythms were integral parts of building the solid jams the Tundra delivered. I was also impressed by the Bass work we were treated to, performed on a 6 stringer with a Wah-Wah pedal. If my count is correct, Tundra, performed 6 total songs including a cover of “Thunder on the Tundra” by the band Thor. I have to say it was a strong set. The crowd was really into it and Tundra earned strong applause throughout the course of the performance. This was especially evident on their closing number “Tried and True” which had the crowd singing along, calling out the title of the track on each chorus. So their time came and went and just like that Tundra’s first show was over. They played a killer set and the crowd responded in kind. I don’t know how the band felt about it, but if it was me, I would have chalked it up as a great success. You only get one first gig, and there are a lot of ways they can go sideways on you. Fortunately for Tundra that didn’t happen. They came, they rocked and they left like conquering heroes. Congratulations to Tundra on a gig well played, I am sure it is just the first of many to come.

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

Third on the bill was Pagan Impaler. This is a 3 man band that I would categorize as Blackened Thrash or Black Speed. They are constructed of Bass/Vocals, Guitar and Drums. That drummer happens to be none other than Eric Wolfgang Kruger, who also handles the rhythms in Lower 13. Pagan Impaler opened up very hard and very fast. Their vocalist delivered his lines in a harsh, almost reptilian snarl. My notes characterize their music as, and I quote, “Nasty, badass shit.” Speed was on the menu to be sure, as the band ripped along without mercy. The percussion was outstanding, pounding home the lightning quick meter with sledge hammer force. The pick hand of the Guitarist was a blur as he tore along from verse to chorus to solo and back again. The crowd went wild as Pagan Impaler delved deeper into their catalog, pulling out one vicious track after another. I believe they played a total of 8 songs, each one wicked in it’s own way. I particularly enjoyed their intensity and strong stage presence. They moved and rocked out as they played out their demonic jams one by one. Closing out with a song that I believe was titled “Unholy Sacrifice” they fired up the room one last time. The crowd rocked along with them, one lady even went off and became a one woman pit. In short, Pagan Impaler was great and were very well received. They were the heaviest band on the bill and they played like they were proud of that fact. They ripped and tore and shredded their way through their time and left me flabbergasted. The crowd cheered enthusiastically as Pagan Impaler finished up strong. They were rushed by enthusiastic fans, all wishing to congratulate them on a set well played. I caught up with their lead singer and offered praises of my own. If you are a fan of Black Speed bands like Bewitcher, Wraith or Cleveland’s own Wyld Timez, then check out Pagan Impaler today. You won’t be disappointed.

Finally, closing out the evening was a band that surely needs no introduction to my regular readers. Lower 13 is a three man band that sort of defies normal genre classifications. They are blend of disciplines that include Progressive, Thrash and Groove Metal. They have a unique sound that is equal parts gorgeous melodies and back breaking heaviness. Fresh off the release of their EP “Deception,” Lower 13 is in top form and have proven themselves to be back heavier than ever. They opened with the new EP’s first number “More Time.” This song very aptly showcases the many facets of the bands sound. Whether it’s the hard rocking opening, the harmonizing on the chorus or the blistering Guitar solo, “More Time” is a perfect opening number. Next we got two pieces from the “Reach an End” album: “I Will Remain” followed by “Lost Within.” Here I made a note about the precise, tight play Lower 13 exhibits. “This band is perfectly in sync. A singular unit” is what it reads and it is a fact. Lower 13 performs such expertly crafted compositions that they would be impossible to play without flawless synchronization of all parties involved. Following this they jumped into “Hollowed” with it’s brutally heavy opening and impressive vocal arrangement. The crowd roared for this one, but that enthusiasm was still building. Another cheer went up when they announced “You Just Left Her” was up next. This song is all passion and power; heavy and somehow profoundly sad; it tugs at the heartstrings even as it has you breaking your neck. “Leads to Fate” followed and it was just what the doctor ordered. The crowd went nuts, dancing and singing along. The band fed off this energy and it translated into their performance. They threw down as the song developed into a very serious jam and closed out with explosive energy, Returning to the new EP, they pulled out another of my personal fav’s, “The One to Blame.” This was “Fucking Phenomenal” my notes so eloquently state, along with “Watching them play is mind blowing. Pure skill.” They followed that up with “Swallowed by Light” which deals out a punishing opening, more great harmonies and tandem screams that are absolutely monstrous. 9th in the play list was their last song, a cover of “Cigaro” by System of a Down, which had the crowd dancing and singing along enthusiastically. That “last song” business didn’t go over well and we, the collective crowd members demanded more. The band tried to deny us on the grounds that their drummer, having played two sets, was tired. This excuse didn’t fly and soon enough Lower 13 agreed we needed just “one more song.” Gratefully we accepted their offering, the perennial closer, the title track from their first album: “Rabid.” This song is simply magnificent. Whether it’s is the energetic opening, it’s incredibly catchy chorus or it’s shredding solo, “Rabid” is a show stopper. Lower 13 poured gas on the fire and the room combusted. Singing at the tops of our voices, the crowd helped the band end the set with a truly special Metal moment. We cheered our very best cheers as we sent Lower 13 off in style. It had been an incredible set. Once again Lower 13 had proven to me just what an exceptional act they really are. Tight intricate play, complex song structure, beautiful melodies and bestial roars are what you can expect. Add all that to veteran song writing and deep lyrical content and you have scratched the surface of what Lower 13 is. If you are a fan of bands like Mastodon, or Gojira... If you, like me, cut your teeth on the legendary band Rush… then you need to check out Lower 13 today. They just might blow your mind.

And just like that the show was over. I said my goodbyes and headed back out into the January night. Hoping in my ride, I threw in my new Bessemer Saints album and headed home. It had been a really good night. Better than most, honestly. I got to see four bands that I really enjoyed, which is a rarity. Wasted Society was a really cool opener. With their blend of Rock, Metal and Punk they brought an undeniable energy to the stage. Tundra was great. They did one hell of a job with their first gig and I am excited to see what the future holds for them. Pagan Impaler was… dude, they were fucking sick. Plain and simple, they rocked. They are without a doubt a band that I am excited to have come across. Lastly, Lower 13 was exceptional. The perfect balance of beauty and brutality; Lower 13 delivers every time. They are a band I have seen before, and I know I will see again. I encourage you to check them out, and all the other bands on this bill as well. They were all great in their own way. That being said I believe I will bring this edition to a close. Thanks for joining me on my ongoing quest for Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Heaviness. Wear your earplugs, bang your head and thank you for reading.

Until next time, Rock on, Rustbelt,

-Z.M. Delgado

Rustbelt Rock Review

Rustbeltrockreview.com

1/22/2024

Links:

Lower 13

www.lower13official.com

Pagan Impaler

https://www.facebook.com/paganimpaler/

Tundra

https://tundracleveland.bandcamp.com/album/demo