Gozu, Restless Spirit, Worshipper, & Earthlore Live 6/27/26
Live at the Middle East Club in Cambridge, Massachusetts USA *June 27th 2026*
This past Saturday night I went to an amazing show at the Middle East Upstairs in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Gozu and Restless Spirit were playing their last show of their 24 day tour, from May 24th through June 27th. It took place in n the home town of Boston’s Gozu and it was a record release show for their latest release, VI. All four bands that played were amazing! The sound at the club was spectacular too. I remained upfront the whole time and I could really feel the music coming through. I went to the show with my two good friends, Sam and Justin, and the three of us had a great time. Everyone there seemed to really enjoy it and the vibes were great and friendly throughout the show. I love the heavy underground scene so much! The music last night really helped me and charged me back up. It’s remarkable on how it makes me feel and all four bands had a huge impact and I sincerely appreciate them all. Here’s my quick breakdown on each performance. Thanks for reading!
EARTHLORE
Earthlore was awesome! The band consists of Drew Pelrine on vocals and rhythm guitar, Gabe Haydar on lead and rhythm guitar, Troy Welling on drums, and Ricky Kraby on bass. They are a fairly newer band in the stoner rock scene but they are really coming into their own. This marks the third time seeing them and this was my favorite so far. The band sounded really good despite the kick drum sliding forward and moving all over the place, causing a little difficulty for the drummer. He handled it like a champ and the band finished their five song set with a strong response. Everyone in the crowd really liked it, and my friends were really impressed with them too. They announced that they were coming out with a new record sometime in the summer and I am really looking forward to hearing it. This is definitely a band to keep an eye on and they seem to be opening for some great shows lately. I know this will not be the last time I see them this year and I am grateful for that. They really set the tone and vibe for a great show and delivered the energy that was needed to get things started.
https://earthlore.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/share/1BmTXNY7Ab/?mibextid=wwXIfr
WORSHIPPER
Worshipper are no strangers to the Boston heavy underground music scene. They are an established band and have released three albums including: 2016’s Shadow Hymns (released via Tee Pee Records), 2019’s Light in the Wire (released via Tee Pee Records) and 2024’s One Way Trip (released via Magnetic Eye Records). The trio consists of John Brookhouse on vocals and guitar, Bob Maloney on bass and backing vocals, and Dave Jarvis on drums. They were fantastic live! I must confess, for whatever reason, I could never really connect with this band before but this time was different. I was really feeling it and was thoroughly impressed with their awesome performance! They sounded great and I think Bob Maloney is one of the best bass players in the area. I love watching him play and the rest of the band were on point too. Worshipper kept the energy going and I am so glad that I finally connected with them and can appreciate what they do.
https://worshipper.bandcamp.com/music
https://www.facebook.com/share/1DbxUqRwHW/?mibextid=wwXIfr
RESTLESS SPIRIT
Restless Spirit was amazing! They brought the riffs and tore the roof down! I was in a trance throughout their whole set and honestly can’t remember much individual songs except for “Red In Tooth And Claw” and “Desolation’s Wake” from their latest Self Titled masterpiece. Every song was awesome and there were quite a few that I was totally unfamiliar with. I need to change that because Restless Spirit is freaking fantastic! The current lineup includes Paul Aloisio on vocals and guitars, Marc Morello on bass, and Jon Gusman on drums. Their substantial discography includes: 2015’s Tardus Mortem, 2016’s Harvest EP, 2017’s 1922 EP, 2019’s Lord of the New Depression, 2020’s Clarity EP, 2021’s Blood of the Old Gods, 2023’s Afterimage, 2024’s The Doomed And The Dead… Live, and their latest, 2026 Self Titled (review here). Their latest album is a top notch release and they really bring the intensity and vitality live. “Desolation’s Wake” in particular, really moved me and I had goosebumps the whole song. It was so energizing and I had a flood of emotions raging with the music. This was also my third time seeing Restless Spirit live and definitely my favorite! My love for this band keeps growing stronger and their latest album is really helping with that reality. This band is excellent and deserving of all the great things to come their way.
https://restlessspirit.bandcamp.com/music
https://www.facebook.com/share/19FoiGhRAQ/?mibextid=
GOZU
What can I say about Gozu? This band is unbelievable! Their releases include 2008’s Self Titled Demo, 2010’s Locust Season, 2013’s The Fury Of A Patient Man, 2016’s Revival, 2018’s Equilibrium, 2023’s Remedy, and their latest, 2026’s VI (review here). The last time I saw them was when they opened for Dozer, back in September of 2024 (read here). With their latest album being released a month ago, they totally annihilated the Middle East! If Restless Spirit tore the roof down, then Gozu finished it off and crumbled the walls, and completely leveled the foundation! They sounded so heavy and massive! They were filming their set for a video of some sort but the crowd felt the energy and reciprocated. It was such an incredible experience and I felt so alive and completely charged up. Gozu consists of Marc Gaffney on vocals and guitar, Doug Sherman on lead guitar, Joseph Grotto on bass, and their newest band member, Anthony “Apollo” Medaglia on drums. I must say, this is the most excitement I felt witnessing Gozu, where I could feel the music permeate through my whole body and I had a buzz throughout. I was ready to receive this powerful music and it was like a battery charger for my soul. I love how heavy music, in particular, can do that and it just goes to show you how much it truly means to me.
Gozu are definitely one of the best live bands out there today. They bring an energy that is unlike many bands and when you witness that front row, where everything is coming at you directly, it really changes you. I am so grateful I got to witness that because heavy riff rock music is sanctuary and savior. Gozu played a great mix of songs from old to new and when Sherman’s pedal came crashing down from his amp, cutting off his sound and coincidentally Gaff’s guitar crapping out at the same time, bassist Grotto and drummer Apollo kept it alive. They saved the catastrophe and jammed out an extended version and kept the groove going along. They handled the situation with a great attitude and just proceeded to unleash an onslaught of riff-centric heaviness. I was completely blown away and I think this lineup is their most ferocious and bombastic. I think Gozu has found a perfect drummer for their style of riff bashing intensity. Apollo even sings harmonized vocals with Gaff, which is awesome! Based on their performance last night, I would not want to be in a band that needed to follow them. They were incredible and I look forward to seeing them play in Las Vegas this coming January at the Planet Desert Rock Weekend Festival. They will surely impress anyone who has not witnessed them play live before. I am proud to be from around the same area as them and represent the east coast heavy rock scene.
https://www.gozubandboston.com
