The Metal Files

Militia is back!  If you weren’t at Multiply Infest (the former Antone’s) last night, you missed a speed metal/thrasher’s dream show.   The Texas metal legends played their first show in about 4 years to a crowd of 100 or so metalheads.

Militia released Strength and Honor last year and I think it was a killer release.  The band had suffered a slight personnel change with Phil Achee’s departure.  Mike Soliz handled drum duties on the album and did a fine job.  For last night and hopefully on a permanent basis, Mike Botello is handling drum duties.  Botello and Soliz have some quality Texas metal history as they were both in Assalant together.

When I last saw Militia, 2009, they were great and I expected last night to be the same.  To be honest, they were better.  This was my favorite of the 4 shows I’ve seen since 2008.  Mike’s vocals were stellar.  He recently turned 50 and I am amazed that he can still hit those insane high notes.  The whole band was tight and Botello’s drumming was a perfect fit.   Tony and Jesse’s guitar work and Robert’s bass work was as badass as it has ever been.  I really enjoy watching him play.

Militia mixed the setlist up with 7 classic songs and 7 from Strength and Honor.  They were solid and the crowd was totally into it.  It was great seeing some other Texas metal legends from Devastation and Solitude Aeturnus come to town to see the show.

I’m looking forward to more shows from them.  Long live classic Texas metal, I only wish I would have been here in the 80s to have experienced it first hand.

And make no mistake about it, no matter how many great metal bands there are in Texas these days, Militia is ruling the roost once again.