The present of San Antonio-area heavy metal, the future and a blast from its past who’s focusing on the here and now congregated last Saturday night at Sam’s Burger Joint Music Hall, bringing out a who’s-who of San Antonio rock personalities whose presence impressed the national pair that co-hosted the ride with flair.
Kingdom Collapse, Livin’ Dark Daze, Waves In April and Sanity’s Last Breath took over Sam’s for an evening of various styles of rock and metal accompanied by a silent auction of framed photos and memorabilia benefitting the San Antonio Food Bank. As if the musical options and the giant burgers of Sam’s celebrating its 25th year as a venue weren’t enough, the event was emceed by Disturbed bassist John Moyer and veteran San Antonio/Austin disc jockey L.A. Lloyd.
Having made their mark all over Sirius XM Octane radio plus national festivals such as Welcome To Rockville and twice at Blue Ridge Rock Fest, the Kingdom Collapse quartet of vocalist Jonathan Norris, guitarist David Work, bassist Aaron Smith and drummer Gaston Flores had Sam’s pumping throughout its 45-minute headlining set.
Opening with “Payback” and “Save Me from Myself” (ATM Facebook Live footage of both here), friends, family members of the band, restaurant goers and general rock fans enjoying a Saturday night downtown took in the group’s energetic performance.
Those on hand included Nothing More guitarist Mark Vollelunga, Even In Death vocalist Sean Nations, Work’s and Norris’ former bandmates in The Taking — Alan Lozano and Daniel Ross Lozano — and KABB-Fox 29 sportscaster and resident metalhead Chuck Miketinac.
Not bad considering another local band that has put its mark on the map, Upon A Burning Body, was headlining Vibes Event Center.
The throng at Sam’s was treated to a passionate night of Rock N’ Roll, with Norris pouring his heart out in revealing how heavy music and fronting a band has helped him find his way after, “I saw my dad die in front of me at 8 years old.”
Norris also emphasized that Kingdom Collapse is “a 100 percent unsigned, independent band.”
They got no argument from Lloyd, the Program Director of KLBJ-FM in Austin and former longtime DJ here at 99.5 KISS-FM who’s celebrating his own 25th year of the nationally syndicated “Rock 30” artist co-hosted countdown show. Lloyd recalled how he had first come in contact with the group and now views Kingdom Collapse as “the biggest do-it-yourself band I have ever seen in my life.”
Added Austin native Moyer: “I just can’t get over what a scene San Antonio has. You guys are amazing. This would never happen in Austin. I swear to God. This is the fuckin’ home of metal.” Watch Moyer’s and Lloyd’s spiel to the crowd, plus Kingdom Collapse’s “Suffer” and “Break Free” via ATM footage below and see the setlist in 47-photo gallery. Octane hit “Unbreakable” ended the night, and Kingdom Collapse also unveiled new tune “Last One Standing to rousing approval.
Providing direct support was Livin’ Dark Daze. The six-piece band was founded in 2017 by vocalist Buster Grant, who helped put the South Texas (Austin/San Antonio) ‘80s metal scene in the history books when he fronted Wyzard in 1982, joining the likes of S.A. Slayer, Watchtower, Juggernaut, Militia, Syrus and others.
Accompanied by triple axe attackers Saul De Leon, Albert Arguelles and Justin Ervine — the latter a member of Lokey and Korn tribute Freaks On A Leash — Grant and Co. were preceded by Moyer revealing Disturbed’s plans for their 25th anniversary tour, including an April 25 stop at the Frost Bank Center (tickets here), before busting out with “Relentless” and “Love Falls” (ATM Facebook Live footage here).
The band’s best track, “Before We Believe,” proved to be the seventh of eight songs played before “Torn” rounded out the set. The former song dropped in March but was actually written 15 years ago by drummer David McGilvrey, and you can watch both tunes below.
The most intriguing band of the evening consists of members who are barely old enough to drive and would likely roll their eyes at the thought of partying like it’s 1999.
Waves In April, a diverse female-fronted metalcore unit out of New Braunfels, made an impression in more ways than one. Led by guitarist/vocalist Dierks Canada and drummer Willy Canada, their parents own the School of Rock in New Braunfels, which helped the band cut its teeth as performance-enhanced musicians.
No, we’re not talking about the stuff baseball players take.
Thanks to Shannon and Cody Canada’s foray into the School of Rock, Dierks and Willy learned about stage presence and crafting songs before they were even teenagers, along with honing their instrumental skills.
Together with new vocalist Elle Gorman and bassist Lukas, Waves In April had its own throng of likeminded high school classmates and friends make the drive from New Braunfels, turning Sam’s into their personal mosh pit.
Dierks took it one step further on finale “Uzumaki,” calling for the Wall of Death and telling the crowd, “Don’t fuck it up” (ATM footage below). Seriously: how many bands have even attempted one of those at Sam’s? Should be the name of a new 26th-year burger.
Limited to 30 minutes, Waves In April showcased its versatility not only with Dierks’ growling vocals and Gorman’s clean style (accompanied by bodysurfing doll; ATM Facebook Live footage here), but also the group’s instrumentation. Following the opening song, the left-handed Gorman strapped on Lukas’ bass and played it upside down. Lukas in turn switched from bass to Dierks’ guitar, and Dierks took hold of Gorman’s mic.
For those catching the group live for the first time who live in S.A. and haven’t seen Waves In April play in New Braunfels on a regular basis, it would’ve been nice if the band had introduced some of the song titles. Not only for the audience to gain familiarity but to look up the tunes on streaming platforms — especially when the aforementioned new song drops in a couple of weeks — and get to know them better musically. But again, folks. This group is not even in its 20s individually. As word spreads of its talent, those things will take care of themselves on stage.
Perhaps even more impressive is the fact band members have taken their turns as teachers at the School of Rock. Said Moyer, who has his own school in Austin: “You know if they’re teaching, they know what they’re talking about.”
Waves In April will showcase its acoustic side this Saturday at 7 p.m. at Northern Lattes Coffee Shop in Marion.
Last but not least (or actually first) was Sanity’s Last Breath, a local band that was a very last-minute replacement for The Reckless Degenerates.
Prior to the days leading up to the show, Sanity’s Last Breath had not even posted anything on its Facebook page since 2019. But their passion and dedication to their music and giving their best on stage shone through and helped make the turnout for local metal second to none.
Quarter-century anniversaries were on the docket at Sam’s, but of course, time will tell if one or more of these bands will reach that milestone someday. They have plenty of time to get there and enjoy the journey.
Did someone mention 25th anniversaries? This year has marked the same for Alamo True Metal (and its prior monikers) of bringing you complete metal coverage and interviews of your favorite artists.
So whadda say, Kingdom Collapse, Livin’ Dark Daze, Waves In April and Sanity’s Last Breath? Do you have another 25 in ya?
Alamo True Metal does. For the bands. And for the fans.
