Blades of Steel Festival – Club Garibaldi's, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, April 7-9, 2022 (words and images by Mark Kadzielawa)

 

The Blades of Steel festival was absolutely a great experience.  Over the three days, countless bands took the stage, and shared their passion with the fans.  The festival was very well organized, and attended.  Club Garibaldi's is a midsize venue where you can experience a show in a very intimate setting.  Promoter, Randy Kastner, organized the whole event, he was the ringleader.

The festival had a very nice feel.  The security was literally invisible, and there wasn’t a simple situation where security would be needed.  It was a like-minded event for the bands and the fans.  Everyone was sharing one common experience, the love for the music.  The fans were friendly, and very easy going.  On numerous occasions this writer recalls striking friendly conversation with complete strangers.  It felt good, and the was a good vibe all over the place.

Such festivals often bring bands that are not regularly touring, or not at all in some cases.  It was a great chance to see such groups, experience them live, or simply check them off the bucket list.  Plenty of up-and-coming acts too, and of course many cool surprises.  There were many instances where a newer bands would play, truly deliver on stage, and later attract many fans to their merchandise table.  It was great to see many younger acts gaining new fans.  The main core of the audience was here to see the well-established bands, or the legendary bands with only cult following.  Whatever it was you were looking for, Blades of Steel festival delivered it.

Every band that played over the three days span delivered the goods.  Each band was great in their own way, and amazing to see.  Every musician present rose up to the occasion, and made their time on stage very special.  The fans certainly had their favorites, and that was absolutely great.  There was harmony, undisputed love of music, and great conversations.  The metal community certainly came as one.

In addition, there were plenty of vendors selling, CDs, vinyl, t-shirts.  You could definitely empty your piggy bank for all the goodies available.  This writer certainly walked away with some rarities to be enjoyed.  The place had a very fan friendly policy.  You could go outside, have a smoke, or just hang out.  There were cool food places, and other bars in the neighborhood.  Club Garibaldi's also had a great kitchen where you could dine, but there were other options near-by.  Plenty of parking place on the local streets, free of charge.  And if you needed to clear your mind, you could walk and relax by Lake Michigan for a few minutes.  It was a short walking distance away from the club.

The Blades of Steel festival was a one of a kind experience.  Many thanks to promoter, Randy Kastner, who masterminded the whole event, and the line-up.  Kastner credits his crew and the fans who in his opinion were the real champions of the event, and he is right.  Many fans are certainly looking forward to next edition of this awesome festival.

Mark Kadzielawa

THE VISUAL REVIEWS

DAY 1

SQUIDHAMMER

WOLFTOOTH

BLOODLETTER

MOLDER

SKELETAL REMAINS

WHIPLASH

DAY 2

FSA

TANTIVY

SAVAGE MASTER

MORDRED

DEFIANCE

REALM

D.R.I.

DAY 3

BLACK KNIFE

INNER DECAY

BRAY ROAD

WRAITH

IRONFLAME

MORTUARY

DAMIEN

NUN SLAUGHTER

TOXIK

Destruction – Diabolical (Napalm Records)

 

Diabolical rules!  Yes, it’s an ass kicking record all the way through.  Yes, there is life after/without Mike.  The band sounds super tight, brutal, and pretty much ready to skin you alive.  The album is very catchy, performed at the break neck speed, and all around very intense.

When the news broke about guitar player, Mike, stepping down from his post, many, including this writer, were not sure as to what the future may hold.  After all, Mike, was one of the greatest guitar players in the thrash metal movement.  His riffing and tone certainly gave the band its identity.  The first listen of Diabolical made it obvious that everything is in its right place, and this is still Destruction.

Destruction now consists of two guitar players, Damir and newly added Furia.  They both created a great team, and their riffing and lead work is impeccable.  Vocalist/bassist, Schmier, made sure he has the right people around him to take the next step.  It makes Diabolical work on every possible level.  It’s a heavy record with a very melodic twist, nothing is compromised here.

There are so many great tracks on this album, it’s hard to predict what the fans will pick as their favorites.  After only few listens, Diabolical, and Hope Dies Last, or State of Apathy tend to stand out a tiny bit more than the rest, but that could change shortly.  The album sounds very fresh and exciting.  Destruction had a lot to prove here, and they got their point across with clarity and bluntness.

Diabolical is full of great performances.  The band is on fire, and you feel it in every track.  Schmier sings like a man possessed; applies every voice at his disposal, and finds a winning combination time after time.  Drummer, Randy, powers up the band with his very intense style and speed.  This is a focused effort to create the best thrash record possible.

Diabolical is definitely one of the essential metal albums released in 2022.  Considering the challenge, the band was faced with, they outdid themselves in the most positive manner imaginable.  Each listen presents more excitement and makes your speakers bleed.  Make no mistake, Destruction is here to stay!

Mark Kadzielawa

Satan – Earth Infernal (Metal Blade)

 

Since reuniting back in 2011, Satan is incredibly productive and prolific.  It appears this classic NWOBHM band caught the second wind, and released some outstanding records in the last few years.  Earth Infernal is another addition to already impressive catalog.  Simply put, it has everything one loves about the British heavy metal of the early 80s.  Done in style, and of course with better production.

Earth Infernal consists of 10 sweltering tracks.  All of them are very intense songs with multiple tempo changes, and great harmonies.  The harmonies really stand out.  At times this writer wonders whether or not they come up with the harmonies first, and then they build a song around it.  Whatever it is, Satan, has the right formula for writing great songs, and preserving their style.  Add Brian Ross on vocals to the mix, and a you got yourself a classic album.

Satan is a band that initially operated from 1979 to 1989.  One would think they have their best years behind them.  It’s not the case here.  This album is absolutely amazing, but so was the last one, and the one before that one too.  The material is so good it turns these new albums into instant classics.  Not too many reformed bands can claim that.  It clearly appears that Satan, still had a lot to say musically.

There isn’t a band song on Earth Infernal.  It’s a great listen all the way through.  The tracks that stand out at the moment for this writer are Twelve Infernal Lords, the very haunting Mercury’s Shadow, or the blistering A Sorrow Unspent.  The instrumental performances on these songs are just perfect.  Steve Ramsey and Russ Tippins are a great guitar team.  Their dialog here is the engine for Satan’s overall greatness.  Brian Ross’s vocals complement the music, and push it over the edge. 

Earth Infernal is a perfectly written and executed record.  Nothing is out of place here.  The songs ideally represent what Satan is all about.  It’s a very natural sounding album.  You feel the creative force of the band within these tracks, and that’s what it is really all about.  Not inventing anything new, but maintaining a high level of perfection!

Mark Kadzielawa

Wolf – Shadowland (Century Media)

 

Wolf is just a killer heavy metal band from Sweden.  Their combination of melodic riffs, flowing leads, and time changes is just perfect.  Shadowland continues in the tradition of many great Wolf’s albums.  This band sounds fresh, energetic, and very adventurous.  There is an enthusiasm all over this album, but same can be said about any other album from Wolf.  There is an unspoken quality here.

Wolf is a very traditional sounding band, but they serve the music with a very modern twist.  This sets them apart from many bands trying to re-live the glory days of heavy metal.  Wolf is very authentic in that sense.  They have a perfect understanding of the classic metal, but remain themselves in 2022.

Shadowland just reeks of great riffs, and amazing songs.  The eleven tracks on this album just rock from the beginning to the end.  Visions For the Blind, Shadowlands, or the opening Dust are all outstanding tracks.  The same can be said about the remaining songs on this record.  There simply isn’t a bad track here.  The band packed this album with instant winners, and heavy rockers

Guitarist/vocalist, Niklas Stalvind, is once again at the forefront of the festivities.  His playing, singing is absolutely superb, not to mention the excellent songwriting.  Stalvind is responsible for the majority of songs on this album.  A true metal hero indeed, and he’s got a great band around him.  Wolf is a great unit; you can feel it in the music.

Shadowland is a fierce record.  It melts you with its melodies only to pulverize you with the overall heaviness.  The album has a great production.  Everything sounds audible and clean.  These guys have the chops, and the production only highlights that.  Shadowland is a record you want to listen to again as soon as it is finished.  Anyone into music knows that feeling, and that’s a sign of greatness.

Mark Kadzielawa

Star People – Black Tie & Tales (Hyperspace Records)

 

Star People were quite a presence on prog scene about 20 years ago.  The band came out of nowhere, managed to turn heads, and then quietly disappeared.  Their unique mix of prog rock, comedy and lounge act approach displayed a winning formula.  As they were finally taking off, or properly landing, depends on whom you ask, it all ended suddenly.  The band left behind two ambitious records, and some fine live performances for those who remember.

Star People are back with a double disc album titled Black Tie & Tales.  It’s a combination of new and old.  There is a disc of remastered old songs, and a disc of brand-new recordings.  It’s Star People all the way.  Everything you had hoped for is definitely there.  The band returned in its full glory, and they are still having fun.  It looks like they have a new drummer, other than that the whole crew is here.

Black Tie & Tales is a great way to reintroduce the band.  Old fans must be excited to see the Star People once again circulate around the planet, but this set can definitely gain some new fans.  Fans who only now are discovering the band for the first time. 

Listening to this set one realizes how much fun this band was.  Not only were they musical, but very entertaining.  The group had a very different dynamic, and not much had changed since.  After 20 years, Star People are back with some fine new tunes, and one can only wonder what else they have up their sleeve. 

It’s difficult to pinpoint Star People to one musical style.  There is so much going on in their music.  Calling them advanced and adventurous definitely makes sense.  There is a level of unpredictability in their music.  Star People will take you places you always wanted to go to, you just didn’t know how to get there.

Mark Kadzielawa

Albert Bouchard’s Imaginos – Bombs Over Germany (Deko Entertainment)

 

It’s quite interesting what Albert Bouchard is trying to accomplish here.  Albert Bouchard is a former Blue Oyster Cult drummer, now working under his own name.  This record has Blue Oyster Cult all over it.  In fact, majority of the tracks are all BOC songs in very different arrangements.  At first, you’d think is this some sort of joke?  But after few listens it all falls into place.  This is a great record, even if it may not come across as such after the first listen.

There are few appearances from the current BOC line up to power up these tracks.  Ross “The Boss” Friedman marks his presence as well.  It’s all well put together sonically.  You can see that a lot of effort went into this project.  The musicians are collaborating for the common good.

There are plenty of BOC tracks that will take you somewhere else completely.  It is a very unexpected turn, but also the one that make sense.  The arrangements here show you how music can be played with, recycled, and formatted into new entity.  BOC fans will know these songs, but have to spend time getting to know in this way, or in this format.

Even if this writer was surprised at first, it has to be said this is a very ambitious project.  Definitely one that no one expected.  Albert Bouchard is certainly onto something here.  I don’t know what is he planning to follow this up with, but it I can’t wait to see.  Bombs Over Germany stands out on its own, and at the same time belongs in the Blue Oyster Cult family.

Mark Kadzielawa

Exodus – Persona Non Grata (Nuclear Blast)

 

It’s been few years since the last album, the world needed another great record from Exodus.  Persona Non Grata is exactly what everyone was waiting for.  The album highlights everything that is great about the Bay Area thrash sound.  The record sounds as classic as it is possible in 2021.

This is technical thrash mixed with virtuosity of the players.  The songs rage, and the band comes across in a very uncompromising mood.  The excellent mix by Andy Sneap highlights every aspect of the Exodus sound.  The recording sounds clean, powerful, and full of attitude.

Vocalist, Steve “Zetro” Sousa sounds like a man possessed.  He is all over the place here, and his vocals are full of fire and charisma.  The album displays an incredible guitar dialog between Gary Holt, and Lee Altus.  Both of them can riff like crazy, and have excellent lead abilities.  Holt and Altus both let it rip here, and the guitars are simply out of control here.  It’s the most organized chaos you can imagine.  Every sound is in the right place. 

As a unit, Exodus is flawless.  The incredible rhythm section consisting of Tom Hunting and Jack Gibson provides a solid backbone for the Exodus to shine.  Each song is like a punch in the stomach, only some punch more intensely than others.  It’s a great record all the way through.  There are variety of moods that go through the songs, and make each listen a rewarding one.

Persona Non Grata is an hour-long album, and within that hour Exodus proves why they are still the best Bay Area thrash band!  Even if the album was shorter, they would still get that point across.  The energy and the enthusiasm of the old days is still here, alive and well!

Mark Kadzielawa