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Kingnaldo, Rova Zetella and Merkava live at the Masquerade…
Beatlanta – All three bands hail from the ATL. The show was last Wednesday at the Masquerade. While I had heard of every band on the lineup I had never seen any of them live nor heard any of their music, save a few samples of Rova Zetella and some of Kingaldo singing in Spanish. I am happy to report back that the show was amazing. If you weren’t there, you missed a night of talented musicians laying it down like they do best.
Merkava took the stage first. Merkava is a unique band in that they blend a variety of musical styles. They have a heavy sound but mix in some tropical and jazz themes from time to time. I also noticed that they had two drum sets on stage and at times would switch off playing the second set between a few different members. They also had some bongos they worked in every so often and would also switch vocalists. I like this because it screams talent and cooperation; showing that one member isn’t afraid to give the spotlight or share his instrumental attributes with another musician. Its a sign that a band works together well and has greater potential to last.
Merkava
Merkava is Joey Jackson – Bass, Korg; Ben Jones – Drums, Synth; Matt Pethel – Guitar, Drums; Sam Jones – Guitar, Organ, Drums. This was my first time seeing them live and they impressed me enough to want more. Their broad and comprehensive sound is awesome and I think would be attractive to folks who enjoy an experimental, more spacey sound. I look forward to seeing Merkava again and I’m sure we’ll have plenty of chances to do so. Here is a video from the show…
More pictures of Merkava on beatlanta…
See more videos of Merkava at beatlanta’s youtube channel. Merkava on MySpacE
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KINGNALDO
Kingnaldo was cool. I had no idea what to expect going into the show. We had been promoting the show for a couple weeks and the only songs I listened to of his were sang in spanish. Not that that’s bad or takes away from the music, it just gave me a different experience of what to expect. I was enthused to to find that not only was the music good but he gave a great stage performance as well. Kingnaldo is just straight up good rock music. It has elements of many different styles of music that blend together to create a loud, in your face, pure ROCK sound. Kingnaldo himself I can tell is a soulful being. His music speaks of rebellion and non-conformity, as punk as punk gets but keeping that aspect from dominating his style; that is to say that the music is not what you would label ‘punk,’ but the attitude is there. He has jazzy electronic guitar breakdowns; he uses a loud speaker to highlight his vocals in a couple different songs and he stops to thank his band and also gives the name of each song and sometimes what it is about before he starts. You can tell he is humble and very passionate about the music he puts out and the stage performance he gives. He would at times drop to his knees, guitar around his neck swinging out behind him, shrieking into the loud speaker tales and expressions of love and non-compliance.
Kingnaldo’s music is appealing to a broad base of fans as he includes darker motifs that would appeal to more new wave or heavy progressive types while at the same time intertwining jazz guitar and chaotic heavy metal riffs; all while the bass grooves and the drums beat rapid and dense. Add the rioting and revolutionary attitude and you have a meld of jazz infused rock and soul, pleasing to the ear and fun for the whole.
See more pics of Kingnaldo on beatlanta here.
See more videos of Kingaldo at beatlanta’s youtube channel.
…and don’t forget to catch a Kingnaldo Hot Topic Performance…
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Rova Zetella
It was my first time seeing the band and I was blown away. For me, they definitely were the highlight of the show. They showed passion for their music and the band itself was powerful on stage, rocking out to every song, never looking bored. I walked away knowing that Rova Zetella were serious and adrenalized; that they would be moving forward more quickly than some other bands. I’m not sure of their status to date; I know they are not signed but I don’t see that lasting too much longer.
Boom! Rova Zetella is Rob Hardie (Vocals/Keyboard); Jordan McGhin (Guitar); Matt Riggs (Bass); Ben Zahn (Synth); Raleigh Chesney (Guitar/Cello); Jacob Deel (Drums).
What stood out most to me, besides that most of the band was barefoot, was the passion shown by Rob Hardie. Not only does he have the perfect voice for what Rova Zetella creates, but he performed with a zeal that comes naturally to talented lead singers. Although energized, Hardie managed to foster a melancholy radiance that felt extremely fitting for the atmosphere and mood that comes complete with Rova Zetella. Rob Hardie is also an amazing keyboardist. His addition to the music cannot be downplayed and he roams the keyboard with a quickness and accuracy that I have not seen too often. All in all, each member of Rova Zetella brought technique and powerful ability to each and every song. Their stage performance was magnificent and their songs remarkable. There was not a time that Jordan McGhin or Matt Riggs were not completely rocking out on stage. There wasn’t a moment that Jacob Deel or Ben Zahn looked unfulfilled or lost in the tedium of repetition.
Rova Zetella’s creative use of keyboards, synth, numerous guitars and heavy drums is not to be missed. Their sound was vigorous and smart, sincere and demanding. The vocals are amazing and the lyrics meaningful. The animation and brilliance Rova Zetella brings to the stage is both striking and inviting and will not go unnoticed long.
I am more than eager to see and hear more of Rova Zetella. They are now added most happily to my list of favorite local acts. I can’t wait for their album to drop in early 2010 and I will be reviewing it here on beatlanta.com. I hope you can catch them soon and look forward to the album as much we are here and to what is sure to be a most positive review here on beatlanta.com.
See more videos at beatlanta’s youtube channel.
See more pics of Rova Zetella on beatlanta here.
Rova Zetella on mYSpaCE – They have shows coming up so go see if you can make it.
SUPPORT THESE AMAZING BANDS AND SUPPORT THE LOCAL MUSIC COMMUNITY.
