Rustbelt Rock Review

By: Z.M. Delgado

Rustbeltrockreview.com

Volume #187: Wrath Icon, Darkandela & Convey the Signs

May 2, 2025

Maple Grove Tavern 14832 Pease Rd, Maple Heights, OH 44137

Good afternoon Rustbelt Rockers and welcome back to the Rustbelt Rock Review; your guide to the wild world of underground Heavy Metal. This week I once again have a tale to tell. It all began shortly after seven, when Joha arrived at my domicile and snatched me up. We traveled Southwest. Our destination: The Maple Grove Tavern. On the agenda for the evening was Wrath Icon, with support from Darkandela and Convey the Signs. We arrived on the scene and posted up in the parking lot. Firing off a text, I summoned my partner in crime Jimmy “The Dook” Fedor of Roxxxstarradio, to join us. He arrived swiftly and with him came “One Punch” Rick. We produced cans of THC enhanced beverages while Rick rolled a doobie. We roasted and toasted and enjoyed the mild spring evening. Once we were sufficiently stoned we wandered inside, paid our cover charge and drifted upstairs. We grabbed a table and settled in. Soon enough the first band took to the stage.

Starting off the show was Convey the Signs. They are a five piece Heavy Metal band formed from Vocals, two Guitars, Bass and Drums. As the set began the lights dropped, blacking out our view. Dark theatrical music began to play. The first track started with some big Guitar notes, while the Vocalist stood off to the side of the stage, singing lightly. This played out for an intro, before the song broke and the lights came up. Then things got very heavy. Particularly the Drums, which became an absolute onslaught of Double Bass. The Frontman had a voice that resided in a higher octaves and he threw in some coarse snarls for emphasis. Most impressive about Convey the Signs was their lead Guitarist, who laid out blistering solos on song after song. By the midpoint in the set, the THC drink kicked in, and I proclaimed myself mercilessly stoned. As the fog machine rolled and I really kicked back to enjoy the show. Up on the stage Convey the Signs was, had been, and continued to be kicking ass without mercy. They played a total of eight songs, demanding ever increasing amounts of applause from the crowd. On their final song, “My Agony,” their rhythm Guitarist left the stage and walked the club while playing his riffs. Meanwhile, up on stage, his counterpart on Lead was throwing down; bending the strings like a true master. Ending their set at peak intensity, the fans sent them off with a final mighty cheer. The set had been impressive, I particularly enjoyed “Here in my Life,” as well as their closing number, both of which brought the house down. Convey the Signs finished up and the boys and I adjourned to the parking lot for another round of Doobies.

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

With our highs further heightened, we re-materialized inside the club to check out band number two: Darkandela. This is a three piece Death Metal band made up of Guitar/Vocals, Bass and Drums/Backing Vocals. They took to the stage, standing before a very cool demon back drop. They opened up hard and abrasive, with a plodding sort of cadence. Their frontman had a very rough, gritty snarl of a voice and delivered chugging, punishing riffs across the entire set. The Bass player had solid stage presence, swinging his Bass in wide arcs. Meanwhile the Drummer delivered Rockin’ rhythms with punishing force. With songs that had titles like “Fermented Prosthesis,” “Your Flesh” and “Macabre,” you just know we were dealing with some dark subject matter. They even brought some real world horror into the mix with their song “Bucket” which was about Cleveland’s Imperial Avenue killer. They played a total of seven songs, closing out with “Cannibal.” This was their best song by far, with it’s stomping rhythm and bestial Vocals. The crowd really loved Darkandela, applauding loudly after each song, and especially at the conclusion of the set. With our second band now finished we headed back to the parking lot. There we tore through another joint, and added just a little more spring to our steps. Then it was back up the stairs and into our spots just in time for our headlining performers.

Closing out the show was Wrath Icon. This five man group is made up of Vocals, two Guitarists, Bass/Backing Vocals and Drums. They opened up hard and heavy with “Church of Blood” Literally the first words in my notebook on the subject are: “Fuck Yeah!” Without a doubt Wrath Icon was killing it right from the get go. Their Vocal sound was primarily clean, with a hard edge that could not be denied. The Bass sound was strong, filling out the low end of the mix nicely. All the while the Drums were absolutely hammering! The song was topped off with a shredding solo, that utterly ripped. Next was “Killing Game,” a hard driving, bulldozer loaded with sick riffs. “Revelation War” had some great Bass work, a nice hook and a nasty chorus. “Hypocrisy” delivered intense Vocals and punishing drums, while “Cross the Line” had a plodding, wicked tone. On “Numb” they summoned some excellent riffs that reminded me of early Iron Maiden. The crowd was clapping along to the rhythm as the song peaked, but Wrath Icon wasn’t through yet. Next they dropped “Murder of Crows” with it’s absolutely relentless Drumwork. “The Architects of Life” was nothing short of bad ass. The Drums were thunderous and the singer delivered some titanic “Whoas,” which I always love. “Reaping” followed, and then finally a cover of “Anti Social.” For this final track they compelled myself and The Dook up onto stage to sing back up, which was a lot of fun. And then sadly it was over. Wrath Icon took their bows, the crowd gave up a mighty cheer and we all said good night.

Joha and I bid farewell to The Dook before we hopped in the ride and headed to all points north and east. It had been a good show. Convey the Signs had played a solid set, opening things up with energy and passion. Their lead Guitarist was magnificent! Darkandela brought the heavy that’s for sure, and shook the room with their Death Metal sound! Finally Wrath Icon was fantastic! I love their heavy style, excellent Guitar work and big Vocal presence. Once again, or perhaps I should say: as always, The Maple Grove put on one hell of a show. With great lights and sound it is always a pleasure to take in a performance there. All in all it was a great night. I got ridiculously high, got to hang out with some good friends and saw three kick ass bands. Not too shabby for a Saturday night. So there you have it. I suppose I shall leave it at that. Bang your heads, hoist your horns and always wear your earplugs.

Until next time, Rock on, Rustbelt,

-Z.M. Delgado

Rustbelt Rock Review

Rustbeltrockreview.com

5/4/2025

Links:

Wrath Icon

https://www.facebook.com/p/Wrath-Icon-100063752613512/

Darkandela

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557334193969

Convey the Signs

https://www.facebook.com/p/Convey-The-Signs-61550513849300/