Vol. #92: Vindicator, Assault & Necroprophecy
Rustbelt Rock Review
By: Z.M. Delgado
Rustbeltrockreview.com
Volume #92: Vindicator, Assault & Necroprophecy
August 19th, 2023
Maple Grove Tavern 14832 Pease Rd, Maple Heights, OH 44137
Good evening Metalheads and welcome back to the Rustbelt Rock Review. This week I had the chance to check out a real banger of a show down at the Maple Grove Tavern. I had an interview with Vindicator so I arrived at about 5:30. I went inside and found the club empty and the lights were out. Realizing I was first on the scene, I returned to my car where I relaxed and listened to some Eyehategod to pass the time. Around 6 some of the guys from Vindicator turned up and I introduced myself. What followed was the typical SNAFU that precedes most Metal shows and at some point in there I got my interview done. (Keep your eyes peeled for that write up in the near future.) Doors opened at 7:30 and right on schedule my wingman Chen Killingsworth arrived. We hit the merch tables and I grabbed some sweet vinyl from both Vindicator and Assault. (I was also gifted a cassette by Necroprophecy which was pretty righteous of them, I must say.) Soon enough the clock on the wall read 8 and the music was set to begin.
Necroprophecy
Kicking things off was Necroprophecy. This is a three piece band built from Bass/Vox, Guitar/Backing Vox and Drums. They describe themselves as “Moribund Metal Death” on their Bandcamp page, but I would classify them as something like Blackened Thrash. They are known for their high speed riffs, raspy vocals and killer drum precision. (Check out RbRR #57 for my review of their EP “Slaughter on Sight.”) They took to the stage and immediately set their sights on total destruction. With incredible stage presence they went off like a cannon; headbanging and lunging around behind their instruments. Blistering solos emerged as the Guitarist Jacques fingers raced up and down the neck of the ax. They played with such speed and jumped from one song into the next so quickly that it was hard to keep track of where one piece ended and the next began. Their frontman, Jake, fell to the stage while punching his Bass with fury. Noise filled the room and the band built it up as an intro for the song “Poison Curse.” I noted here what and big Bass presence the mix had, as the room rumbled with each note plucked. Here the drummer, Tyler, hammering with pure authority, blew out the snare. There was a brief pause in the music as the offending drum was replaced, and then Necroprophecy picked up where the left off. “Bloodied Grave,” followed by “Extermination” brought a flurry of wicked Bass work and aggressive lead licks. Next we were treated to a brand new song, “Merciless Nightmare.” This one was great. It had all that you need to be a Necroprophecy jam: Hard, fast Bass, screeching Guitars and a back breaking Drum beat. Much to my delight they broke out “Blinded by Mystery” and the Guitar solos kept on coming. Wicked laughter over evil chords ushered in “Blasphemer.” For their final offering Necroprophecy let loose the title track from their forthcoming EP “Power to Kill.” This song was outstanding. Brutally fast and with another lights out solo, it ended the set just right. Cheers erupted from the still growing crowd as Necroprophecy put the lights out on a fabulous set. They had, without a doubt blown the roof off the Maple Grove and left fans in a state of shock and awe. They exited the stage and were met by a sea of fans ready with fist bumps and high fives to celebrate the unquestioned power behind their music. One band down, but we were just getting started. The night was young and Assault was gearing up to take the stage.
Eris Stevenson: The Official Tattoo Artist of the Rustbelt Rock Review. @ericstevensonart
During Necroprophecy’s set I noticed some prominent member of the scene in attendance. Most notable among them was Jesse of Atomic Witch, Chris Maggot of Mutilation Barbecue and Terry from Bessemer Saints/Olathia. Yes, it was a star studded affair for the Cleveland Metal fan, with so many respected artists under one roof. I always love to see the way our local musicians come out to support one another. It’s a big family out here and we like to take care of our own that is for sure. Soon enough the house music faded and the amps began to hum. It was time for the one, the only, Assault to do their thing.
Assault
Assault is a band that needs no introduction to you, my faithful readers. But for those of you who are new to the RbRR, I will give you the basics stats. Assault is a four man Thrash Metal outfit forged from Guitar/Vox, Guitar/Backing Vox, Bass and Drums. They are currently playing in support of their debut album “A Blind Eye.” (Check out RbRR #20 for my review of the album and RbRR #17 for my interview with the band.) It is also worth noting here that Assault was taking the stage without drummer Owen, who is busy fulfilling his duties in 200 Stab Wounds. Filling in on the skins was Grady, from Ringworm and The Brakes. With the roster stocked, the four man murder machine that is, Assault stepped forward and unleashed hell. Opening with “Death Solution” they let loose what may very well be the “perfect Thrash song.” Unquestioned shredding perfection flowed from the twin guitars as the Bass vibrated and the drums quaked. Next came the chugging riff of “A Blind Eye.” Again I noted how prominent the Bass was in the mix. It really brought the power of “Rolling Thunder” McJunkins to the fore front. The Guitars blistered through the solos as they moved into the unfathomably heavy “Pinnacle of Suffering.” Ears bled as Dylan roared “DIE! SLOW!” across the club. At this point Assault broke into a Funk interlude, where Dom flexed his skills on the six string even more. This little break was quickly melded into the intro for “Leech;” a song that is always amazing live. The raunchy rhythm and plodding riff are pure moshpit bait and the solo is a thing of beauty.
Assault
Next they set the stage ablaze with a “One, two, Fuck you!” as they thrust into “Obey/Decay.” Seeming to play at twice the normal speed I was amazed by the precision the band was operating at. Grady was on fire as he pummeled his kit with reckless abandon. Continuing their high speed tactics they pulled the trigger on my personal favorite “Antebellum.” The back and forth on the vocal pattern here is always amazing; the way the two men play off each other punches with immeasurable intensity. Fan favorite, SHOTS (Second Head of the Snake), was next. No matter how many times I hear it, I never get tired of this song and seeing it live is nothing short of magnificent. The dueling Guitar solos and thundering Bass work has always made this a stand out track in my book. As if reading my mind, next Assault hit me with exactly what I wanted to hear: Their masterful cover of Black Sabbath’s “Symptom of the Universe.” The crowd roared in approval as the time honored riff erupted from the amps. With horns raised toward the sky I banged my head like a maniac and screamed along with the band. To close out the set Assault brought “Obliviate” to the table. My notes here read, “A riff to smash planets” and I think that’s about as close to the truth as you can get. This is a song of such profound heaviness that there are no words that can truly describe it. You’ve either heard it, or you haven’t. As the saying goes, if you know, you know. The crowd screamed with mad delight as Assault finished up. The set had been nothing short of a white hot incinerating fire. They brought their trademark style, skill and stage presence to the Maple Grove and left absolutely nothing but devastation in their wake. If you haven’t done so yet, do yourself a favor and check our Assault the first chance you get. For my money they are one of, if not, the “must see” act in our scene. Buy the ticket, take the ride. You will not be disappointed.
Vindicator
Another quick turn around on the gear and soon our headliner was set to rock the Maple Grove. Closing out the evening was Cleveland Thrash legends, Vindicator. This is a five man outfit consisting of 2 Guitars(B. Zahn & V. Stown), Bass (E. Stephens), Drums (J. Stown) and a Vocalist (M. Law). It is worth noting that the band was celebrating their 18 year anniversary at this particular event. As Vindicator took to the stage the fans crowded around, anxious for what was to come. The band opened up with pure hellfire, pulling out one of my absolute favorites: “Fearmonger.” I was immediately impressed with their stage presence, particularly that of their frontman. He spent the majority of the set on the front edge of the stage, screaming his lyrics directly into the faces of the fans. His voice, a coarse growl, resonated around the room and the crowd loved every second of it. I noticed early on that the fans were singing along word for word and that trend continued song after song throughout the set. Second they broke into “Fresh Outta Hell” followed by “New Clear Assault” and “Deathfront Demons.”
Vindicator
The riffs came lightning quick as Vindicator pounded out their own brand of ripping Thrash. There was both incredible speed and power behind every note as the band pushed on. They made my night when they played their horror monstrosity “Hallows Eve.” Here the Bass thundered and there was a driving, devastation to the riffs. The auditory attack continued with “Shrapnel” and carried on into “Beneath the Guillotine.” Here the band paused for a dedication to a fallen comrade before shaking the room with “Dog Beneath the Skin.” Their next blitz of songs included “Humanarchy,” “Thrash and Destroy,” “Vindicator,” a cover of Exodus’ “Metal Command,” and “Fire Escape.” But Vindicator wasn’t through yet. Without mercy they continued their barrage of pounding beats, raging vocals and blazing Guitar solo’s. “Poison in Us” was followed by a killer rendition of “Gore Orphanage” and then the classic “There Will be Blood.” “The Antique Witcheries,” another one I absolutely love, came next. Closing out the set they hit us with “The Dead are Among Us,” followed by the cataclysmic explosion that is “Fog of War.” Vindicator ended their set to roaring applause from all in attendance. Over the course of their 19 songs they had enthralled fans; horns had been hoisted, voices screamed hoarse and Headbangers had broken their necks with glee. Without a doubt Vindicator rocked the Maple Grove and proved to this author definitively why they are one of the most loved and respected bands in our scene. If you are looking for some hard edged, high speed, truly vicious Thrash Metal then check out Vindicator right away. I guarantee they will scratch that itch and then some.
Vindicator
With Vindicator finished up Chen and I headed for the door. I didn’t bother with goodbyes, as all the artists were busy moving gear, accepting praise or hustling merch. Chen and I parted ways in the parking lot and I began the long drive home from Maple Heights. Wow, what a night! With a successful interview completed and three great sets under my belt the evening had been a resounding success. As always, the Maple Grove Tavern was a gracious host. With great lights and sound, and an excellent staff it is one of my favorite places to check out a gig. Inside that rockin’ little venue were three outstanding bands, who all killed it. Necroprophecy kicked in the door on the whole affair and did so much more than simply warm up the crowd. They burned the fans to a crisp before they had finished and left us salivating for more. Assault proved once again why they are in a class by themselves in every conceivable category by which you can judge a Metal band. After seeing their set, Vic from Vindicator described them to me as “A top tier band at the top of their game.” I am inclined to agree. And speaking of Vindicator… Holy shit! They absolutely pummeled the Maple Grove with a massive setlist which covered most of their beloved classics. If I would have been able to pick the tracks myself, I don’t know that I could have done much better. They played hard and throughout the set projected a demeanor of confidence and authority that only comes with veteran status. From beginning to end Vindicator shredded, ripped and tore with every note, beat and word. That’s how you close out a Metal show. Once again I would like to thank you for reading. Your continued support keeps me going on this mission. I wish you all Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Heaviness!
Until next time, Rock on, Rustbelt!
-Z.M. Delgado
Rustbelt Rock Review
Rustbeltrockreview.com
8/20-8/21/2023
LINKS
Vindicator
https://vindicator.bandcamp.com
Assault
Necroprophecy
