Greevace – October 08, 2011
| Stan Says: | Jodi Says: | |
| They were the second band of three that night. Opening act Shot Silk had me primed for some heavier stuff. Greevace, a three piece with a guitar, drums and bass player that also sings, riffed out the middle set of the three bands. Really, they’re an old school metal band with James Hetfield vocals, though they’re not a thrash band. It’s like you took a heavy sampling of Black Sabbath, threw in some of the creativity of System of a Down and cranked up the drums and bass like Led Zeppelin. Coming from me, this is exceedingly high praise and deservedly so. The band also uses pseudonyms and so I don’t know what names to put in here. What I do know is that Andy plays a mean guitar. The bass player is the singer and the drummer freaked me out with his power. I’m a huge Rush fan so it takes a lot for me to be impressed by a drummer. Andy’s guitar work was very riff heavy. He’d lay down a riff, the bass would pick it up and drive with it and then Andy would be off soloing over the top. His solos hit me and showed me that this wasn’t someone who just studied the guitar, he’s living it and loving what he’s doing. Andy’s solos were perfect for the songs and I like his use of harmonics, a very Rush-like quality. The riffs weren’t simple either, they were very creative and yet still had a headbanging quality to them. I love it when that happens and it is something that happens very rarely it seems. Their songs are well constructed around those riffs, with the vocals being something that doesn’t intrude upon the song, it moves it forward and gives it meaning. The singer’s vocal style works great for the band. Imagine a band that has Tony Iommi on guitar, the bass player from System of a Down and then John Bonham on drums. That’s what I felt I saw in Greevace. Speaking of which, great name guys, what does it mean? This is also a band I look forward to hearing more from and would love to get something that they’ve recorded. I felt that some of their songs could easily become some of my favorites, of the riff heavy style of metal, if I were able to give the songs a few more listens. In other words, when these guys release a CD, get it, play it and enjoy. If there is to be a detraction from their sound or a suggestion that I need to make to them, it’s that the songs need a hook or a chorus of some type. Not every song needs one, and I’m not suggesting they become an anthem-cheering band like Def Leppard. They have the riffs down and the solos, that part of the sound is fantastic. Lyrics that are understandable and can be cheered or screamed along with the song would be good. Try it once, if you don’t like it, don’t do it again. These guys are going to be at the Milestone on October 20th. See them. Of course, that’s 2011 and you may be reading this too late. Even still, check out our calendar and see when they’ll be around. This is one heavy band and I like it. |
         
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This trio is Christ on Bass and vocals, Tiger on drums and Andzig on guitar.  Initially, this band reminded me a lot of metal/rock bands out there now like Tool, Slipknot, maybe a bit of Godsmack or Marilyn Manson and definitely a bit of older Metallica thrown into the mix.  These three highly talented musicians can really rock the stage.  There wasn’t quite the crowd for it, but under normal circumstances I’d say a mosh pit probably would’ve broken out many times during the set. The lead vocals come from Christ, though Andzig also harmonizes frequently.  Overall, the yelling, talking, singing that goes on is alright.  I wouldn’t say it is spectacular, but that is one thing about metal bands, they don’t seem to need spectacular lyrics or singers, just look at Duff Mckagen.  I didn’t find it hard to understand, but it was a little rougher as far as yelling goes than my personal taste but it didn’t sound horrible.  I believe sometimes a drummer can be overlooked in the importance of a band, however, this drummer certainly is not.  I believe the song is called Cabal, where each of the three members had a turn at excellence, including the drummer who stole the show somewhere midway along this song. What surprised me about Greevace is that I actually enjoyed the songs they did as instrumentals much more so compared to the songs that Christ bellowed at us.  That’s saying a lot from someone who has been bored by instrumental songs during past live performances, left wondering when the singer was going to start in… and I would also say that I do have an appreciation for what Steve Vai does, but unlike many folks I would not choose to just sit and listen to his solo work. So with all that being said, when I say these instrumentals rock the house like it hasn’t been rocked before, I really truly mean it.  These three people are entertaining, energetic and very solid in their metal sound.  Their instruments do all the talking, and what they say is fairly incredible. I would definitely without hesitation see these guys again. |
