Rustbelt Rock Review

By: Z.M. Delgado

Rustbeltrockreview.com

Volume #229: Shotgun Bowl IV feat Olathia, Storms of Tomorrow, Idol Throne, Druparia, Iron Brigade, Kurnugia, Dark Secret & Iron Bitch

Beachland Ballroom and Tavern, 15711 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland, OH 44110

February 15th 2026

Hello to Cleveland and to all my Rockin’ friends around the world. It is with great pleasure that I sit down with you to narrate yet another of my Heavy Metal Adventures. This week I had a very long, very busy day that blew by in a blur. You see yesterday was this years annual Shotgun Bowl and of course Rustbelt Rock Review was there to record the goings on. What is Shotgun Bowl? I’m glad you asked. Shotgun Bowl is an annual music festival, put on by Olathia and hosted by the Beachland Ballroom and Tavern. The event is now in it’s fourth year. It is a matinee, held on a Sunday afternoon showcasing eight bands in a six hour period. Without a doubt it is one of the most beloved events in the Cleveland Metalheads calendar. Oh, and I can’t forget to mention that you get a free compilation CD with admission, which is pretty damn cool. So in addition to reviewing SB4 we were filming not one, but two, episodes of Heavy on Cleveland. The first one focused on the Shotgun Bowl itself where we took some time with each band. This was a challenge. Wrangling musicians from eight different acts, during an active show was no simple feat. Meanwhile, in a second parallel episode we spent some time with Storms of Tomorrow who were using SB4 as there album release party. This added up to eleven interviews and eight sets to document in a six hour period. Well, that’s not entirely correct. The show was six hours. I was there at about noon, two hours before the music started. Together with Jimmy “The Dook” Fedor of Roxxxstarradio, Kelly Funk of Funky Photos and Jessica Mowrer of Stargazer Studios we set about our task and began to document the event.

The Heavy on Cleveland Team: Kelly, Z.M., The Dook & Jessica

In time 2:00 hit and we all gathered in the Ballroom for the afternoon’s first performer, Iron Bitch. After some opening remarks from our show’s host, Jay Stone, Iron Bitch took to the stage and did so with fury. This band is made up of five members; a Vocalist, two Guitars, Bass and Drums. They play a variation of Traditional Heavy Metal, with some Thrashy touches. Whatever you call it, they play Heavy music and it is dope to say the least. They have powerhouse players at every position and the band’s technical prowess cannot be praised highly enough. Crushing rhythms, intricate Bass lines and scorching Guitar solo’s are provided in plenitude. Yet while their musicianship cannot me bested, it is their operatic leading lady who steals the show. Her Vocal power was undeniable as she unleashed piercing notes. Together the combined strength of the band and her voice makes for an unstoppable sound. The flew through their time in a frenzy of Metal magic and kicked off SB4 in exactly the right way. The crowd, already significant in size, ate it up, cheered and applauded enthusiastically sending off Iron Bitch in just the right way.

After a brief interlude we again gathered in the Ballroom for our second act, Dark Secret. This is a five man band made up of a Vocalist, two Guitars, Bass and Drums. I would put them somewhere in the realm of Traditional or Power Metal with some definite Thrashy elements. They utilize clean Vocals, with some operatic flourishes. They had Rockin’ riffs, driving tempos and very nice solos. They brought strong stage presence, especially their frontman who was in continuous motion. On songs like “The Extremist,” “Patriarch’s of Science” and the epic ballad “Silence” they thoroughly Rocked the Ballroom. I believe they played a total of six songs before calling it a set. The crowd screamed in approval and Dark Secret took their final bow. After some closing remarks from Jay Stone we spun on our heels and made for the tavern.

Up first to the Tavern Stage was Kurnugia. The fans were packed tight in the much more intimate confines of the second room. We gathered around an old school Death Metal band made up of five members: Vocals, two Guitars, Bass and Drums. The Vocals were pure unadulterated gutturals that rumbled the room. The music was hard hitting, bone crushing... Death Metal the way it was meant to be played. The Drums were relentless. The Riffs, a power packed wall of sound. It was a pure expression and for those of us who were feeling some classic Death Metal it hit just right. One dude who was definitely feeling it was a young metal head at the foot of the stage. He was probably ten years old, rocking a battle vest and banging his head with glee. It was awesome to see the next generation throwing down with the old schoolers at this most cherished of events. Kurnugia throttled us on songs like “Divinity Denied,” “Shroud of Damnation” and “Sanguine Altar.” They played a total of eight songs closing out with the back breaking “Abysmal Descent.” This was a heavy and driving monstrosity that slammed the door on their set definitively. The crowd loved every minute of it and they howled with glee, showing Kurnugia much love and respect. With little time to spare we said farewell to Kurnugia and hauled ass back to the Ballroom.

Returning to the big room it was time for Pennsylvania's Iron Brigade. This is a Hard rocking Power Metal Quintet made up of Vocals, Two Guitars, Bass and Drums. Their singer had a big Vocal presence, delivering soaring notes. They wowed me immediately with their Guitar work, particularly their solos. They got the crowd fired up early. A fact made apparent when the Guitarist shouted, “Are you with us, Cleveland?!” and the fans erupted in a boisterous cheer. They further engaged with the audience when the Vocalist hoisted his flask and offered a toast at the beginning of “Days of Glory.” Drinks were raised all around the room and the set barreled along like a steamroller. They rocked the Ballroom on tracks like “Herculean Destiny” and “Keepers of the Faith,” before bringing the house down with their closer “Afterlife Confession.” This track was a beast. It summoned a romping tempo, a very impressive solo and unleashed some huge Vocals. The crowd let out a profound cheer as they heaped well deserved love upon Iron Brigade. They only got the chance to play five songs, but that’s simply because their songs were so long and well developed. With such epic compositions, you can get what you can fit. Iron Brigade said farewell and left victorious. I also left, not victoriously, but quite swiftly, heading to the Tavern. I had a date with some MeloDeath.

I slid up to the stage and got comfortable. I was really excited for this next set. Coming to the stage was one of my favorite Cleveland area acts: Druparia. This is a five piece Melodic Death Metal wrecking ball made up of Vocals, two Guitars, Bass and Drums. They are known for their raw and vicious Vocal attack, crushing riffs, soaring melodies and punishing rhythms. They opened with “Kintsugi” and it was like a shot of fire and thunder. Their stage presence was strong with headbanging all around. The Guitar solos were fantastic and impressive. Second they treated us to a new song, which I noted was solid with some passionate Vocals. “Of Firmament… And the Renewal” was third. It begins with a lengthy instrumental portion, before the Vocals come in like a storm. In this track the Bass player delivers some really powerful Backing Vocals that punch up the sound with significant force. Four songs in they served up a King Diamond cover, which was bad ass with no question. Seeing the King translated into Melodic Death Metal was really cool. Finally they closed out with “Bled for Comfort” a monstrous track perfectly formulated to shut down shows. High energy and high paced, this song is like a chainsaw meeting meat; it tears through all it encounters. And just like that it was over. The fans went bananas shouting praises upon the band. Druparia took their bows and said good night. Leaving me in the afterglow, but only briefly. I had no time for reflection, as I had to make a mad dash to do an interview in the basement green room. Unfortunately, the discussion ran long and we missed the first iterations of the next set. As the interview wrapped, I could hear something truly bitchin’ coming from the Ballroom speakers. With all haste we dashed back to the show.

Our sixth performance of the day had erupted: Indiana’s Idol Throne had taken the stage like a hurricane, and when I entered the room we were in the peak of the storm. I made a quick assessment of the band and jotted down their stats: yet another configuration of a Vocalist, two Guitars, Bass and Drums. The sound was amazing, and I was into it immediately. The riffs were Thrashy and rippin’. The Vocals were clean yet with a raw edge, powerful and energetic. The singer was very animated, moving all about the stage interacting with both his bandmates and the crowd. The Guitar work was uncanny, shredding and intense. Across the board they had a powerful heaviness intertwined with an undeniable charge that kept the crowd engaged. It was excellent, hands down. This was my one big regret about SB4; was that I missed a portion of this set while I was doing my thing. It was a bummer, because what I saw of Idol Throne was amazing. They were like a hammer coming down again and again. The fans ate it up bite by bite. Based on the four songs I saw they are one of the must see acts touring around the American Midwest in this modern era. I highly recommend you check them out. With Idol Throne saying goodnight to the crowd it was once again back to the Tavern.

Now in place in the Tavern, the crowd packed in tight for what promised to be a fantastic set. Storms of Tomorrow was releasing their new album, “A Moment of Silence,” and the Cleveland faithful were there to celebrate. Storms of Tomorrow is a four man Progressive Power Metal band made up of Vocals, Guitar, Bass and Drums. They opened hard and heavy with a blast of powerful Heavy Metal. Their frontman served up a torrent of sheer force, his voice unmatched. The Guitar work was legendary, intricate and musical. Across the stage the Bass player thrummed and rumbled with significant groove. Behind them the Drum work was mind blowing, as they thundered into “Ghost’s of Yesterday.” Amazing riffs proliferated when they rolled into “Eyes in the Dark.” On “Starchild” horns went up all around the room as the singer jumped about like a mad man. “The Ethereal” gave us some crowd participation as the fans all cheered on command, on time with the music. “Voice of the Valkyrie” had the band moving and grooving as the delivered another slamming number. “Societal Collapse was a banger, no question, packing in a fantastic riffs and another ripping solo. Finally they closed out with their title track, their flagship song: “Storms of Tomorrow.” The crowd went wild and rightly so. Storms of Tomorrow blew the roof off the Tavern and shut down the stage with all authority. They successfully launched their new album and put on one hell of a show in the process. In a mad dash we returned to the Green Room to conduct another frantic interview.

Finishing our chat we returned to the Ballroom just in time to see Olathia take to the stage. This four person, female fronted powerhouse is Cleveland’s resident super group and the hosts of Shotgun Bowl. They are known for their amazing musicianship. Stacked at every position, Olathia has talent to burn. Led by the unstoppable Vocalist Chris; her siren song is unbelievable as she switches from melodic notes to shrill screams in an instant. Beside her is the Bass master Terry the Bull. A beast on the stage, his performance antics are unrivaled. Across from him is Cleveland’s resident shredder, the six string samurai Dylan. His fingers move with speed and precision at each and every combustible step. And of course behind the kit is Joe, human metronome who hits with all the power of a runaway truck. These four elements come together and fit into a perfect configuration. The end result is one of the most intriguing and respected Power Thrash acts in the Scene. With fog drifting about the stage they opened up with “Who’s the Devil?” Olathia was not messing around. This is without a doubt among their heaviest of tracks, and one hell of an opening number.

They came out swinging, delivering their trademark over the top stage presence. Let it be known, every member of Olathia performs every second of every set. They throwdown hard leaving nothing behind but echos and sweat. Second in line they served up their classic, and one of my personal fav’s, “Hellhound.” Next came the party anthem, “Shotgun,” which had the crowd dancing and singing along. Dipping back into the catalog they broke out a rare treat: “When I Die.” This song is like a roller coaster in it’s highs and lows, melody and heaviness beside one another. Dylan really showcased his skill on “Snake Charmer,” and the crowd chanted “AY! AY!” in time with the beat. We saw some killer Bass work on “Insatiable.” The fans went wild then were held in thrall, as Olathia treated us to a brand new song entitled “Scream in the Night.” It was exceptional and the audience went nuts upon it’s completion. After that we were savaged by the epic “Last Breath.” This song is something special, that we rarely get to see performed. The Drums rumbled, the Bass hummed. The Guitar mystified and the Vocals rose like the tidal wave. After this lengthy fantastical affair, Olathia brought us back to the earth with the pure heaviness of “The Beast in Black.” They followed that with the hacksaw riff of “The Forest Witch.” Finally closing out the whole damned affair Olathia dropped “Seven Deadly Sins.” Yet another fan favorite, this song had the crowd dancing and singing and Rocking hard. As is tradition, the fans raised their arms into the air as Chris sang out: “Show me your hands!” It is always a brilliant and marvelous spectacle to behold. The song ended. The crowd roared one last time. Olathia said goodnight and Shotgun Bowl 4 was at a close. The lights came up, the house music replaced the bands, and the crowds dispersed. Another great day of Heavy Metal was officially in the books.

I was exhausted and ready to split, but my work was far from over. More footage to collect, more interviews to conduct, I estimate it was roughly another two hours before I finally got to head east toward my bed. But I’m not complaining. It was a great day filled with good friends and fantastic music. I got to talk to alot of talented musicians and was fortunate enough to have all access passes for myself and my team so we could do our jobs. It was appreciated. We collected a lot of footage and hopefully it all pans out into two banger episodes of Heavy on Cleveland. So for all of you who were there, thanks for supporting the Scene’s favorite event. And for those of you who missed out, well there’s always next year. Be there, you won’t regret it. So that’s all for this week. I want to thank you for Rocking, Rolling and Reading. Here’s to you. Don’t forget to bang you heads, hoist your horns and always wear you earplugs!

Until next time, Rock on, Rustbelt,

-Z.M. Delgado

Rustbelt Rock Review

Rustbeltrockreview.com

2/16/2026

Vol. #229: Shotgun Bowl IV

Vol. 226: Jotunn Winternights