Mark Gromen

5 days ago | bravewords.com | Mark Gromen

Like metal, pizza comes in many flavors and if you’re a fan, you’ll probably sample any/all styles, while always returning to your favorites. Legions Of Metal festival provides a sampler, a smorgasbord of metallic sub-genres of inquisitive fans to mull over, digest and hopefully go home with a doggie-bag” morsels to enjoy at a later date.

1 week ago | bravewords.com | Mark Gromen

Of the two days, this had more “must see” performances, on paper, including the headlining Crimson Glory. With a baker’s dozen acts set to play (as opposed to 10, yesterday), the show kicked off two hours earlier, at 3:30, with the operatic/symphonic power metal of After Time. First two bands were on the main stage, before alternating between there and the adjoining Joint set-up, inside Reggies bar/dining area.

1 week ago | bravewords.com | Mark Gromen

Calendar says the first weekend in May, but as Great Lakes denizens know (Detroit, Cleveland, Buffalo, Toronto), spring is often late. While out-of-towners long ago packed away jackets, jeans and long sleeves (in favor of shorts & tank tops), Chicago greeted them with (hopefully) the last blast of artic air: just “high” temps in the 50s and overnight lows precariously close to freezing. Thankfully, the festivities were all inside Reggies, although the weather did curtail roof-top patio pre-gaming.

4 weeks ago | bravewords.com | Mark Gromen

(Rata Mutante)Been three years since leader Esteban and his clan of speed metal Colombians have graced us with new music. Album #10 offers eight ripping additions to the Revenge canon. Looks like an upgrade in production and cover art, dispensing with the frequent cartoon characters in favor of a more Victorian horror vibe (Headless Horseman, apparently drawn by the same artist that did the Harder Than Steel artwork).

1 month ago | bravewords.com | Mark Gromen

(Doomentia)Fresh on the back of last year’s full-length, comes a new, limited edition (300 pieces) 12″ vinyl, four-song EP from the rough, speed metal Spaniards. All are exclusive to this release. “Heavy Metal Rush” comes tearing out of speakers, with a bit of simple, staccato, punk aggression (“Hey! Hey! Hey!”). Only the guitar break identifies it as a true metal construct. By contrast, the 4:04 mostly instrumental “The Catapult” is fleet fingered, repeated runs up/down the fretboard.