Vol. #244: Northeast Ohio Deathfest
Rustbelt Rock Review
By: Z.M. Delgado
Volume #244: Northeast Ohio Deathfest
June 6th, 2026
The Vortex Concert Club
1167 Brittain Rd, Akron, Ohio
Hello Metal Fam! Greetings to you from Casa Delgado. I am so happy to bring to you another fantastic tale of Heavy Metal magic. It all went down this past Saturday, when I had a date with a worm… A Ringworm!!! That’s right, the Heavy on Cleveland team was assembling at The Vortex in Akron to shoot our next episode. The subject of which is of course our headliner for the evening, the mighty Ringworm. So I hopped on the freeway and headed south. Once I reached The Vortex I rendezvoused with the rest of the team: Jimmy “The Dook” Fedor of Roxxxstarradio, Jessica Mowrer of Stargazer Studios, and Kelly Funk of Funky Photos. (With out powers combined, we are Heavy on Cleveland!) Together we set about documenting all that was happening in and around Northeast Ohio Deathfest. I have to say the event was really well attended. I was impressed by the size of the crowd as the packed in around The Vortex stage.
Covet The Throne
Soon enoughthe entertainment began with Covet The Throne. This five piece had a heavily distorted, fuzzy sort of sound with deep resonant gutturals and some really nice Guitar riffs. As the set moved along their stage presence really increased and the crowd was definitely feeling it. What most stood out to me about this band was their lead Guitarist. Beneath a lime green hat he made comically animated facial expressions while ripping down solo after solo.
Conspiracy 216
Up next was Conspiracy 216. Let me tell you, these boys were heavy as fuck! They had a style that fluctuated between Death Metal and some degree of Groove Metal, I would say. I really dug their frontman’s Vocals, finding them to be utterly vicious. They packed in driving tempos and excellent rhythms as they pounded out a series of dope Metal tracks. Conspiracy 216 chugged and stomped their way through their time in a monumental display of sonic force. They closed out with a track entitled “Death Slayer” which really brought down the house.
Screwed Ends
Third in the lineup was Screwed Ends. This band was in from “The Carolinas” on their first ever gig in Ohio. These guys were good… like really good. They brought a level of intensity to the stage that was unmatched. Their stage presence was off the charts as the whole band threw down hard. They even got the crowd moving for the first time; inspiring some moshing and a bit of the old two step. As things escalated the singer ended up in the pit, tearing up the floor with the fans. They closed out with a song called “Sinners” which took the moshing to the next level. It was a fantastic set that no doubt earned them a pile of new fans.
10,000 Rambos
Our fourth act was 10,000 Rambos. This band was hyper aggressive, noisy and distorted to the max. Their fast and energetic songs coupled with great stage presence had the fans moving for sure. A cloud hung in the air, as The Vortex fog machine was working overtime. Behind the haze 10,000 Rambos was killing it. The songs were short and brutal, coming in quick succession. The Drumwork was pure destruction and the riffs were crushing. When the soundman warned them that they only had 4:40 left to go in their set, they replied with the promise of 5 songs in 3 minutes. They closed out with a beast called “Confirmed Kill,” which left the crowd screaming for more.
Centerless
Fifth in the succession of performers was Centerless. I suppose you could call this band Melodic Death Metal. They had Death Metal basis with a Keytaur to spice things up. While wielding his Keytaur, the Vocalist unleashed fearsome, roaring screams. The songs would come out heavy as stone, then slow down getting quite melodious. These portions of the songs would employ some very unique Guitar work, keeping the songs interesting. After that they would come back in, heavier than before, and finish the track in a storm of sound. The fans went nuts and the pit raged.
Selias
The sixth band to take to the stage was Toronto, Canada’s Selias. This band employed a dual vocal approach, with one singer being male and the other female. The leading lady unleashed both cleans Vocals as well as growls. Beside her, her counterpart was all snarls. They were severely heavy and had solid stage presence as well. Both the female Vocalist and the Bass player left the stage and got down on the floor. The fans ate it up and had their fists pumping in time with the beat. A pit started up for their last song and the fans carried the intensity on until the final note.
The Behest of Serpents
Next, our seventh performer was The Behest of Serpents. This Melodic Death Metal quintet had the fans moshing nearly from note one. The Vocals were nothing short of monstrous and the overall their sound was nasty. They had an excellent two Guitar attack that produced some impressive leads. The absolutely mauled their time slot with an unquestionable brutality. Closing out they chose a song of pure force, the crushing “Haunted Walls.” This nightmare track instantly set the pit ablaze. The fans went wild, fists pumping and screaming in approval.
Eric Stevenson: The Official Tattoo Artist of the Rustbelt Rock Review
After The Behest of Serpents finished up I headed outside to where Freekshow Lowe, the proprietor of Eats n Treats Concessions, was serving hot grub. I tried to buy a hot dog, but Freekshow gifted me one instead… and it was amazing! No shit homies, this was one of the best damned hot dogs I’ve ever had. I highly recommend Eats n Treats Concessions for all your mid show munchies.
6deep
Delightful delicacies devoured I soon found myself back at the foot of the Vortex stage for our eighth performer Akron’s 6deep. As soon as they struck a chord the two step broke out across the floor. The sound was a pure beat down; violent and oppressive. With absolutely savage Vocals and a low end that was seemingly bottomless, they drove the fans into an absolute frenzy. Soon fists were flying, which quickly gave way to an enormous mosh pit. 6Deep didn’t let up for an instant kicking out one devastating track after another. By the time they reached their final track the violence had escalated to levels previously unseen. Bodies spun, collided and fell in heaps; It was magnificent.
We are Heavy on Cleveland!!!
I’m not certain, but I believe it was right around this point in the story, when the Heavy on Cleveland team finally met up with Ringworm and conducted our interview. We sat outside on the low wall that surrounds the club and had a nice long talk. The guys in the band were cool and I had a good time talking with them. Once the interview was over, it was back inside for the set.
The Convalescence
The ninth act to the stage was Toledo’s The Convalescence. This deadly act is known for both their fantastically heavy sound as well as their elaborate stage antics. Their style was about as heavy as they come with jackhammer Guitars and explosive percussion. The singer delivered deep, animalistic guttural roars that shook the room. Simultaneously there was the visual presentation. The band was entirely painted up. All exposed skin was coated in a thick corpse like gray. They wheeled out some spooky tree mic stands and a corpse named “Timmy.” They even have a band member who sprays the crowd with sparks, dances with and swallows fire. The crowd ate up everything that The Convalescence was serving and then some. The pit raged for their entire slot and ended with a mad bone crunching melee in the final seconds of sound. It was a violently memorable climax to a phenomenal set.
Ringworm
And then it was go time. With our headliner, Ringworm, taking to the stage we were ready to get down to business. The Heavy on Cleveland team sprang into action. The Dook went about setting up his cameras and we anxiously waited for the set to begin. Right from the outset Ringworm was furious. The Drum work was intense and focused. The Guitar like a ripping blade. The Bassist played with otherworldly speed and precision, and the Vocals were viciously demonic. The crowd began to throw down hard. Moshing, headbanging and dancing was seen throughout the club. The pit really began to open up and bodies started to fly. The collisions were monumental. The violence on just barely restrained. Meanwhile Ringworm was operating like a well oiled killing machine. Dousing himself in water, the frontman was drenched. Soaking wet and snarling he was a beast untamed. Hard charging riffs and adrenaline soaked percussion drove the music as the band tore through their set like a pack of hungry wolves. On songs like “No Solace, No Quarter, No Mercy,” “Cage” & “Psychic Vampire” Ringworm pulled no punches as they dolled out the punishment relentlessly. I’m not certain, but I believe they played us 15 songs before calling it a night. The fans cheered and applauded as Ringworm said goodnight.
And just like that the day was at a close. The Dook and I wrapped up some last minute shots before I said farewell and headed out on the highway. It was a long road back from Akron and I had many miles to put behind me. I made it home without incident and fell into bed like stone. On that note I will officially bring this edition of the RbRR to a close. Thank you for Rocking, for Reading and for supporting the Scene.
Until next time, Rock on, Rustbelt,
-Z.M. Delgado
Rustbelt Rock Review
6/8-6/9/2026
Voice of the Underground
