Holy Grail
February 16, 2016
Atlanta, GA
The Masquerade (Hell)
It’s hard to believe that it’s already been over two years since Holy Grail last graced an Atlanta stage. After a pretty lengthy and “off the radar” hiatus, I’ll be honest, I was a little nervous. The last time of my favorite bands did this (3 Inches of Blood) it resulted in the band calling it quit so you can understand my nervousness. Well, when it was announced that Holy Grail was returning to the game with their latest album, Times of Pride and Peril, I let out a huge sigh of relief but at the same time, I was a bit nervous. How would it be after being so long? Would that magic, that fire, that passion still be there?
As the house lights went down, the roar from the crowd made the hairs on my arm stand at full attention. Lead guitarist Eli Santana took center stage and began playing the opening for “Crystal King” and as the band slammed into this track, right way I could feel that fire, that hunger, and that passion that drew me in and made me a fan of Holy Grail in the first place. Opening with a brand new song from the album really proved that Holy Grail is standing tall behind their new material and rightfully so. This was the perfect opening song as I feel that this one encapsulates so much of what Holy Grail is about. Lead vocalist James Paul Luna’s soaring, Halford inspired vocals filled the room and without even batting an eye, Holy Grail then dropped another facemelt bomb by ripping into “Crosswinds” from Ride the Void.
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Holy Grail’s way too short (but sweet as fuck) 30 minute setlist was comprised mainly of new material from their latest album, Times of Pride and Peril. If I ever had any doubts as to how the new material would work out the band’s more classic material, it was all put to rest on this night. Songs like “No More Heroes”, “Sudden Death”, and the stellar yet intricate “Descent Into the Maelstrom” were so great to hear live and I even found myself enjoying so much more than the studio versions but it was “Ride the Void” that was without a doubt the showstopper. This was where, in my opinion, that Holy Grail brought it all together and truly showed everyone what they were all about and all that they are capable. Luna’s over the top vocals took things to “11” while the tight as fuck rhythm section of Tyler Meahl and Blake Mount laid down the foundation for guitarists Eli Santana and Alex Lee to have a shredfest that left people’s mouths on the floor. “Ride the Void” got the biggest reaction of the night and rightfully so.
Holy Grail closed things out with “Fight to Kill” which brought the house down with a roar from the crowd and that was that. As always, 30 minutes just didn’t seem like nearly enough time for Holy Grail but those guys accomplished in 30 minutes what most bands can’t accomplish in twice that amount of time. From start to finish, Holy Grail gave Atlanta 110% and judging from the reaction of the crowd and the line at the merch booth afterwards, I think it’s safe to say that Holy Grail rolled out with a whole lot of brand new fans. As a long time fan of Holy Grail, I can honestly say that this show made me so proud. My chest was out like a proud papa as I watched these once fledgling up and coming band own the stage like seasoned professionals. As long as Holy Grail can continue to deliver quality material and put on performances of this caliber, they will continue to establish themselves as true masters of the craft for a long, long time to come.
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