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Supreme Being
Group: LFM Metal DB
Last Login: 9/5/2008 5:53:56 AM
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Along with my brother (AceQ2k) I had the pleasure this weekend of experiencing some of Metal's newest Texas bands performing live here at Sam’s burger joint in San Antonio. For those of you who haven't been down to San Antonio, Sam's is a local diner\bar\club with great local and national acts performing weekly.
We arrived early enough to catch Reverend during their sound check and so we grabbed some nachos and waited for the doors to open. Being early paid off as we were lucky enough to get a free shirt for being one of the firsts to get in. The cover charge was $8 and was more than a great price for all 5 bands billed that night.
The club itself isn't a very large area , probably about a total of 3,000 square feet. The stage is rather small also so it's a very casual environment with lounge couches and circle booths in the back areas. You get a good shot of the stage anywhere you sit.
Ancient Cross opened up the show promptly at 8:30 with their original "Teach the child". And the first thing that I think everyone noticed were the 12” metal spike armbands he was wearing which I might add came courtesy of living for metal's own leather accessories. They looked killer on Michael and were every bit as fitting to Ancient Cross's image as well as their sound. I have to admit singer Michael Lance sounds even better live than he does on the samples found at their site. And Joe and Mike both delivered a great show of guitar playing. Rarely do I find a great guitar duo but with these 2 guys it's obvious they have been playing together for a long time. Each band was asked to cover a song from DAVID WAYNES career and almost all the bands chose to do a cover from Metal Church. Ancient Cross did a cover of "Beyond the Black" which sounding amazing with Michael's vocals.
Up next was Ignitor, fronted by Erica Swinnich (Formerly of Autumn Tears) with whom I had the pleasure of meeting and speaking with before the show. Also being introduced for the 1st time was Annah the bands latest addition to the lineup. And for it being her 1st show with the band she fit in just perfect. Standing at nearly 6 feet tall she has a dominant presence on stage and can shred with the best of em'. I have always believed that the greatest things in life come in the smallest of packages and that holds true upon your first impression of Erica. She is about 5' tall with a voice that carries stronger than any 6' or 7' Giant could ever have. Live and up front I could see easily why she's been so talked about here on the local scene. The band opened up with "Take to the sky" followed by "Scarlet Enigma" a fairly new tune and kept it going with more off their "Take to the sky" debut. Ignitor chose to play "Metal Church" as their tribute song and while the song went over well with the audience, the set's closer "March to the Gulliotine" was by far the bands crusher. I look forward to hearing that one again on the bands upcoming CD.
Following Ignitor was Azrael's Bane which I had been especially looking forward to seeing live since I had heard so many good things from friends and fellow musicians. I was from start to finish blown away by the bands live show. Great songs and shredding leads is just a small part of the bands live show, throw in the five 5 part vocal harmonies and Rick Wards drumming and its a show of musical showmanship and style. The band opened with "Forbidden" a new tune soon to be released on the new album. They also played 2 other new songs "Save us all" and "Brother". The highlight of the night was when the band performed "Waiting" off their "Wings of innocence" debut CD . This song shreds with one of the most intense solos that I have ever heard and watching them play it live was amazing. They chose Metal Church's "Start the fire" as their tribute to David Wayne. The Band also performed "Diary of a madman" which was a special treat for me since I love RANDY RHOADS ! The band did a great cover of that song and closed the set with their Hit single "Shine" (which by the way can be found on their myspace page http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=3465465 )
If you haven't checked em out do yourself a favor and go to this site at least. You won't be disappointed!
Reverend soon took the stage with not one but 2 singers. As it turns out the band is still undecided as to who will front the band. First up was San Antonio local Rob Steel who dished out David's songs with a new vocal style adding some screams and growls that just were not a part of what I recall in David Waynes own style. Needless to say I was not that impressed by him as his stage presence was a bit off and at times the vocals sounding a bit too growlish for me. The band did some new songs with Rob on vocals and then came up Erik Wayne (who I was told is NOT David Waynes brother and just happens to have the same last name) When I first got to the club I had heard him during the sound check (which was kinda shaky on his part) so I had a good idea of his sound. After several songs the band broke into " Scattered Witts" and it was at this point that Erik fell into his own. Filling the shoes of David Wayne's is no easy task for any one singer, yet after I heard him sing that song then go on to sing (with as much emotion as he could find in his soul)"Gods of Wrath" . I was more than sure that REVEREND, who will have to choose between these 2 guys will make the right choice. Either way Reverend will live on.
As the last band to find their way to the stage, Austin's own DRIFTER plays Iron Maidens tunes as close as you can get to the real band. I had a chance to speak with Bassist Stoney Grantham (who is also the bassist for SHADOWKEEP) before the show. A great guy he was really cool and added that Shadowkeeps new album is done and will hopefully be available for release soon. When a band takes on the challenge of performing a great band such as Iron Maiden you automatically think of Bruce's vocals. And with no exception HOMER SALDANA vocalist for Drifter can hold his own and then some. The guy nailed all his notes and sang his ass off. Covering maidens " The Trooper" with ease and then to top it off breaking into the epic 11 minute "Rhyme of the ancient mariner". Stoneys bass playing was and is by far the best part of Drifters performance. I had to look onstage and make sure Steve Harris wasn't hiding behind a speaker somewhere! "Killers" was also another highlight for me, and done as good as the original. The band chose "Watch the children pray" and absolutely nailed the song.
Over all it was a great night of Metal and for me it had been a long time since I had gone to a show and enjoyed each and every band. I feel lucky to have been there and witnessed this show as it was all for a great cause and I look forward to next years show!
Some new pics will be posted up on my space later today so check back for a link at this Post !
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I'm Scared
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 6/3/2007 9:32:22 AM
Posts: 19,
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| It was great meeting you Danny. Thanks for the great review. ~Michael~ PS. We'll have photos up from the show as well by Friday at www.ancientcross.com
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Supreme Being
Group: LFM Metal DB
Last Login: 9/5/2008 5:53:56 AM
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Visits: 23,781
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LivingForMetal.com
Group: Administrators
Last Login: 10/8/2008 2:25:22 PM
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Friggin Awesome!!! and great review too!!
"Belief solely based upon faith is inherently rooted in the fear of negative consequence" - Bare
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Supreme Being
Group: LFM Reviewer
Last Login: Today @ 10:03:30 AM
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Damn, that sounds like a helluva show. Great review as well. I'm liking these bands already.
As long as I got Rock n Roll I'm forever young
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Metal Demon
Group: LFM Metal DB
Last Login: 9/30/2008 12:02:55 AM
Posts: 220,
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Yeah the show was awesome and the crowd was great and im not really one to go to local shows and check out bands unless i know a little music history before i check out a band but in this case it was for a good cause and all the bands put on a good show but to me anceint cross and azraels bane stole the show and kicked ass!!! As far as reverend there show was good but for sure erik wayne should be the frontman for the band. Ignitor was good and put on a great show as well as drifter playing some kick ass iron maiden covers,in my opinion the singer had a voice that fit better with the paul di anno years of maiden. So i really recommend ya checking out ancient cross and azraels bane and ignitor.
We're in the darkest region of the human brain, a radiant abyss where men go to find themselves........We're in HELL!!!!!
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I'm Scared
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 6/3/2007 9:32:22 AM
Posts: 19,
Visits: 92
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| Thanks for the great review! It was nice to meet those who made it out. We have some photos of the event at our website. www.ancientcross.com
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