By Kevin Woron
Thursday night gigs - at best they're a crap-shoot, but the small yet boisterous crowd that paid their $5 definitely got their money's worth from the acts.
Calgary's own extreme metallists, Reverend Kill started off the show - sans drummer. A move that guitarist/founder Don Stenhouse said, "had to be done, we can't wait around forever." While many might eschew the use of a drum track, it didn't stop the band from get a small pit going and killing with a set that featured new tracks and old favourites.
Next up, Vancouver's Scythia, touring to support their ...of War release and to pre-launch their upcoming CD ...of Exile. If you haven't seen them live, picture part Renaissance Faire, part power/folk Metal, part party band. It was my first time seeing them, and I was impressed. Singer/guitarist Dave kept the crowd engaged with his between song banter. Barefooted bassist, Terry, sporting a mohawk and kilt, bounced around and injected energy into the crowd, encouraging them to raise their fists high in the traditional Metal Air Pound, to chant and otherwise participate. My eyes kept being drawn though to the keeper of the "Oboe of Death", Morgan who brought her unique sound to the metal maelstrom swirling around her. It's one of those things that you have to hear live to believe that a traditional woodwind can fit along in with the rest of the the amplified instruments. Only a few in attendance chose to sit in their chairs as the rest got up on the floor and enjoyed Scythia's brand of Folk Metal. The quintet ended of their set with a rollicking version of Hobarth's Inn. As a treat to their Calgarian fans, the band offered full digipack versions of their upcoming disc before it's September 23rd release date.
Locals Viathyn ended the show to show off their technically infused, progressive, folk metal. Contrary to singer/guitarist Tomislav's belief that, "its going to be pretty empty, going on last..." the crowd actually grew before the boys took the stage. To call them a musician's band, doesn't do them justice. Yes, there's fretboard frenetics, a wall of sound moving at high speed, but there is a great songcraft on display as well. Viathyn moved though their repertoire, playing songs from their Demagogue EP as well as the critically acclaimed The Peregrine Way as well as giving the crowd a taste of their upcoming full length by unleashing a new song.
In the end, a great display of Western Canadian Metal talent. Next time, maybe a Friday or Saturday night would get a few more out than the 60 fans that attended.
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