www.montereycountynow.com MARCH 20-26, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 29 MUSIC Names inscribed on the heavy metal shrine have one thing in common. James Hetfield, Steve Harris, Rob Halford, Angus Young and, of course, Ozzy Osbourne—the trend is rather obvious. But Paulette Kasal wields a powerful voice and surrounds herself with equally booming musicians, only of a different sort. “I wanted to prove that women could play heavy metal,” she says. The time was 2003, when Kasal— Madame Ozzy is her stage name— formed what is believed to be the first all-female Black Sabbath tribute band. A professional voice coach, Kasal had fronted thrash and metal bands since she was 14. “Nobody thought women could do it,” Kasal recalls. “My original music wasn’t accepted.” One of her students had joined a cover band. At the time, Kasal dismissed the nascent genre. The student pressed Kasal: if you were to form a tribute band, which one would you honor? There was no hesitation in her response. “If you’re going to tribute, tribute big,” she says. Mistress of Reality has been convincing metal fans ever since. Kasal takes on the energy of an inspired Osbourne, the powerful young singer who broke the rock mold in the early 1970s. Later Osbourne would carve a solo career. But it wasn’t just the music that created success. His stage presence was legendary. That is the part of Osbourne and Black Sabbath Kasal pays tribute to. She is a focal point, engaging with audiences, bringing them out of their seats with her voice and mannerisms. But the band she founded stands apart. They play “War Pigs,” “N.I.B.,” deep cuts like “Under the Sun,” Metallica’s version of “Sabbra Cadabera” and later Osbourne pieces such as “Mr. Crowley.” Mistress of Reality, however, is a powerhouse on their own. “We do our version,” Kasal explains. “Our tones are heavier, more thunderous.” Black Sabbath mastered darkness through drop tuned guitars. Mistress of Reality rumbles into songs, the sound clutching not at your throat, but somewhere deep in your core that you cannot access. It is this capacity that drew Kasal to the genre. “I’ve always been inspired by metal,” she says. “It’s a universal language. It empowers women.” Mistress of Reality 9pm Saturday, March 22. Live @ Heirloom, 344 Main St., Salinas. $25. 998-8824, heirloompizzapie.com. COURTESY OF MISTRESS OF REALITY Ozz Wizards Mistress of Reality has been taking on Black Sabbath— and metal—for decades. By Dave Faries Sheezer Butler on bass, singer Madame Ozzy, guitar player Allie Iommi and drummer Shane Ward—stage names, of course—make up Mistress of Reality. TEA PARTY Not Your Grandma’s Tea Party March 22, April 19 & May 10 7th Ave & Dolores St, Carmel
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