Volume #260: Mastodon w/ Deafheaven & Alcest
Rustbelt Rock Review
By: Z.M. Delgado
Volume #260: Mastodon w/ Deafheaven & Alcest
October 20, 2026
Agora Theater 5000 Euclid Ave, Cleveland OH
Good morning friend, and welcome back to the Rock N’ Roll chronicle better known as the Rustbelt Rock Review. I say good morning because that is exactly what it is, the goddamn morning. I was out late and rose early, I am exhausted and frankly feeling like doing anything but writing right now. I want to take a nap, but instead I will slam this energy drink and persevere. (Pause to drink.) There we are. That outta do it. A huge influx of caffeine should wake my sleepy ass up and get me back on task. Now what were we here to talk about? Oh yes, last night. I can tell you it was a doozie. So, where to begin? Well, being that it was a Tuesday, I had to rush home from work, pick up the kids, clean myself up and eat, all before a 5:30 pick up. I was set to rendezvous with Joha, Chen Killingsworth and Young Joseph. However, prior to Joha’s arrival, Chen messaged, alerting us that he would be delayed. With instructions on how to secure the tickets, Joha and I mounted up and headed west.
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We arrived at Agora shortly after 6:00pm. We went to the box office and I presented my ID. Without any hassle we grabbed up all of our tix and entered the fabled Cleveland Agora. We walked to the merch line then headed upstairs to check out our seats. For this particular show, we had purchased a nice little piece of real estate: Opera Box #4. Upstairs and on the right, we were led by the usher to a comfortable perch with a nice view. We hung out up there, then drifted downstairs and out to the smoke pit, waiting for Chen’s arrival. Before that happened though, 7pm struck and the music began. Joha and I headed down to the floor.
Alcest
Considering it was a Tuesday, I was amazed by how many people were there, especially this early on. Suffice to say, our first act, Alcest, had a nice crowd in place when they took to the stage. In from France, this four piece is made up of two Guitar/Vocalists, Bass and Drums. What I can tell you about Alcest is they are atmospheric, melodic and heavy, pretty much in that order. I was particularly taken with their Drum work. I found it profoundly heavy for a band with a more mellow vibe. They utilized mostly clean Vocals but did throw in some growls at times for effect. The Vocals shift between the two Guitarists, alternating back and forth. For the most part the singing had a drifting, haunting quality. It floated among the melodies, rather than in front of them, as if it were just another instrument in the band. Maybe it was just the mix, or maybe it was deliberate, it’s hard to say. Whatever the answer, Alcest, wove tapestries of sound that transfixed the audience utterly. It wasn’t all pretty melodies and clean vox though. For example, on their third song, things got undeniably heavy for a time. It was a strong contrast to the rest of the set, but it did show the band has range. Heavy or melodic, at the end of each composition the crowd cheered enthusiastically, it was clear they were strongly in favor of what Alcest was delivering. Midway through their set Chen messaged me that he had arrived. We headed back to the smoke pit and met with the Killingsworth boys. Passing off their tickets, we completed our party and headed back to our perch on the second floor to catch the rest of Alcest. They rocked on, playing their own brand of Heavy, yet chill, Metal music. When they finally finished up the crowd applauded long and loud.
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Deafheaven
Second up was Deafheaven. This is a five piece act made up of Vocals, two Guitars, Bass and Drums. The set began with some odd and unsettling messages being broadcast through the PA. The band took to the stage and immediately seized control. If I had to describe their sound, in terms of a sub-genre, I would say they were something like Melodic Black Metal. They presented an intense and devastating wall of sound that washed over the crowd without mercy. The Guitars were all encompassing and utterly crushing. The Drums were furious, driving and tight. The double Bass action was flawless and the rolls were smooth. Their Vocalist had good stage presence Rocking out and jumping around as he climbed on and off of the three risers at the front of the stage. As he moved, he snarled and shrieked in a Black Metal style, without any hint of cleans. The crowd was into them immediately and very early on, a mosh pit formed. By their fifth song, a wall of death began to coalesce, as mellow strummed notes filled the club. The two sides aligned and separated, waiting for the right moment. Then, when the music broke, the two lines of maniacs rushed toward each other, colliding with colossal force. For “Hunter” a circle pit formed, sending fans in an ever widening wheel of aggression. I believe Deafheaven played a total of eight songs closing out with a track called “Winona.” This final beast of a song, had some absolutely amazing Drum work that launched it. The death dance that followed brought the fans to a frothing, rabid, fever pitch, summoning a massive and violent maelstrom of a pit. When it ended the crowd erupted in cheers clearly enamored with Deafheaven.
Mastodon
With the opening acts now finished, Joha and I headed out to the smoke pit for a heavy dose of mind enhancement. Once we were significantly twisted, we returned to the box and anxiously awaited our marquee performer: Mastodon. Soon enough the lights dropped, halfway, and “Crazy Train” began to blast. The crowd sang along to the Heavy Metal anthem at top volume. Once it finished the remaining lights went out and the on stage screens came to life. One by one the band took to the stage and once all were in place they began. Opening with “Barbarians Blood,” they immediately kicked things into high gear, with a dose of the new Marrow Deep material. I was locked in on the stage as the trademark Mastodon light show did not fail to disappoint. A collection of images, lights and lasers combine to create one of the most memorable of visual displays in Rock and Roll. As they broke into “March of the Fire Ants” (Remission) the pit went berserk. After this one, Troy spoke briefly, welcoming us to the show and promising to hit on every album before the night was through. With that being said our first stop was Blood Mountain with “Crystal Skull” followed by “Black Tongue.” Crowd surfers began to take flight, and the pit raged and would continue to throughout the evening. Next, as the Octofreak appeared on the screen as they broke into Leviathan’s “Megalodon.” The crowd began chanting “Mastodon, Mastodon!” as the band returned to Marrow Deep with “In the Ruins.” I consider this to be the best song on the new album and seeing it live was a real treat. They followed this with “Your Ghost Again,” before jumping to Hushed and Grim to pull out “More Than I Could Chew.” I always loved this song, and when Bran sings out “Say When… and I’ll come running back.” It always hits me in the heart.
Mastodon
After that emotional climax, it was time to get heavy again, so Mastodon broke out Remission’s “Mother Puncher.” Next they hit “Steambreather” from Emperor of the Sand. Then we were treated to a lengthy and impressive keyboard solo. This went on for a while before the band broke out another pair of new ones: “Poisonous Weapons” and “Snakes for Dinner.” Here is when things got really interesting. Midway through “Snakes for Dinner” Mastodon was joined on stage by another Guitarist/Vocalist: John Baizley of Baroness. John has been enlisted by Mastodon to fill in Vocally on material previously sung by the legendary Brent Hinds. So into that material they dove with Hunter’s “Curl of the Burl.” John sounded great. Obviously, he’s not Brent. He’s not a replacement for Brent. No one, and I mean no one, can ever fill those shoes. However, in Brent’s heart breaking absence, I feel it is important for the band to continue playing these songs to carry on his legacy. So yeah, John is not Brent, but he still did a damn good job, and I appreciate his contributions. Finally it was time to Crack the Sky and Mastodon did so with the two of their best: “Oblivion” and “The Czar.” Returning to Emperor of the Sand, the gave us “Sultan’s Curse” and the mythical Cysquatch lumbered out onto the stage during Blood Mountain's “Colony of Birchmen.” Finally Mastodon closed out with their show stopping, back breaking classic, from Leviathan, it was time for “Blood and Thunder.” There was a huge circle pit, and a massive roar emerged from the crowd. The fans went wild and screamed their lungs out in exaltation as the set came to a climactic end. The lights came up and everybody’s favorite drummer, Bran, came to the front of the stage to say a few parting words. He said his piece, before handing out a fist full of Drum sticks to the fans. (He made sure the little kid down in front got one. Classy move, Bran!)
Mastodon & the Cysquatch
Then it was over. We shuffled towards the exit, and then out to the cars. We headed East and eventually I made it to my bed. Which brings us to now, where I sit exhausted but satisfied. It was a great show. The openers were solid and seemed to go over well. Meanwhile, Mastodon was in peak form. They played with fire and fury. They literally played a 19 song set, hitting the new album hard, while still finding a place for at least one cut from every other record. It was a pretty rad. So there you have it my fellow Metal Maniac. I hope you made it to the show last night, and if not, then I hope you enjoyed this recap. Thanks for reading, for rocking and for supporting Heavy Music. Don’t forget to bang your head, hoist your horns and always wear your earplugs.
Until next time, Rock on, Rustbelt,
-Z.M. Delgado
Rustbelt Rock Review
10/21/2026
Voice of the Underground
