Father’s Day with GOZU at Chapel of Bones

Father’s Day in Raleigh usually means cookouts, family gatherings, and a quiet evening. On June 21st, a solid crowd chose something a little louder and headed to Chapel of Bones for a lineup that represented three different corners of the heavy underground. Boston’s GOZU, Long Island’s Restless Spirit, and North Carolina’s own Crystal Spiders and Archaos delivered a night built on riffs, groove, and volume.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Chapel of Bones continues to be one of the best rooms in North Carolina to see heavy music. The venue has become a home for everything from hardcore and death metal to doom and stoner rock. The sound is consistently good, the room feels intimate without being cramped, and it gives bands and fans a place where heavy music actually matters.

Headlining the evening was GOZU out of Boston, Massachusetts. Formed in the late 2000s, the band has spent nearly two decades building a reputation as one of the more consistent names in modern heavy rock. Their sound pulls from classic hard rock, stoner rock, grunge, and doom without sounding like a copy of any of them. Massive riffs, strong melodies, and a groove-first approach keep their songs moving while still hitting with plenty of weight.

The current lineup features Marc Gaffney on vocals and guitar, Doug Sherman on lead guitar, Joseph Grotto on bass, and Seth Botos on drums. Together they locked into a set that felt tight, confident, and road-tested. Nothing flashy. No gimmicks. Just four musicians doing exactly what they do well.

What stood out most was how naturally the band controlled the room. GOZU doesn’t rely on constant crowd interaction or over-the-top stage antics. The songs do the work. Big riffs, strong hooks, and a rhythm section that keeps everything moving. The audience responded accordingly, with a healthy Father’s Day turnout filling the room and staying engaged throughout the set.

For anyone new to the band, their catalog is worth exploring. GOZU’s full-length releases include Locust Season (2010), The Fury of a Patient Man (2013), Revival (2016), Equilibrium (2018), Remedy (2023), and their latest record, VI (2026). Each release has expanded on the band’s heavy groove-driven foundation while maintaining the sound that made them stand out in the first place.

A Father’s Day show featuring Boston, Long Island, and North Carolina talent could have easily felt like just another stop on a tour run. Instead, it felt like a gathering of different scenes connected by a shared love of heavy music. GOZU closed the night exactly the way a headliner should, leaving Chapel of Bones with a room full of satisfied fans and ringing ears.

Band Information

• Members: Marc Gaffney (vocals/guitar), Doug Sherman (lead guitar), Joseph Grotto (bass), Seth Botos (drums).  

• Discography:

  • Locust Season (2010)

  • The Fury of a Patient Man (2013)

  • Revival (2016)

  • Equilibrium (2018)

  • Remedy (2023)

  • VI (2026)  

Socials / Links

• Official Website:  GOZU Official Site⁠

• Instagram: @gozuband

• Facebook: GOZU

• Bandcamp: gozu.bandcamp.com

• Label:  Metal Blade Records - GOZU⁠