Holy Grail - Reggies Rock Club, Chicago 8/23/10

This is my second time seeing Holy Grail this year. They are a speed metal band with some melody, that hails from LA and boasts three ex-members of White Wizzard.

Last time I saw them was when they were on the opening slot on the Amon Amarath tour where they had to go on at about 6:30 with sunlight shining through the Logan Square Theater windows. Not an ideal setting for a metal band, and all the death metal fans in the audience and the bad PA didn't help matters either. They still rocked, however tonight they were on fire opening with the power chords of "Immortal Man" from their debut EP "Improper Burial. These young pups from LA don't mess around and they come out firing on with all barrels. From "Immortal Man" they charge into "For All Eternity" off their upcoming album "Crisis in Utopia" that should be available at the end of October. Up next was "Call of Valhalla" which is, plainly put, a metal classic where singer James Paul Luna just shines. He sings with the fierceness of Bruce Dickinson and the soul of Ronnie James Dio, not just another screecher here. A definite up-and-comer to watch in the years to come. The band continues full throttle with their version of Accept's "Fast as Shark" that the crowd just eats up. They added two more new songs including "Crisis From Utopia", and even though nobody really knew the songs, it was clear that they went over well. "Fight to Kill" from the ep ends the short but sweet set, with Luna's soaring vocals and the twin axe attack of guitarist Eli Santana & James LaRue sending the crowd into a frenzy!

Holy Grail are clearly ready to grab the heavy metal torch from Maiden, Priest and Metallica and raise that torch high for metal heads everywhere. For a while tonight I was transported back to my youth when all that mattered was denim, leather and heavy fucking metal. Back to the days before the LA glam bands ruined it for everyone! One thing is for sure, you will never mistake Holy Grail for Motley Crue or Ratt!

Mike Engel