Fans of ‘80’s Thrash legends ARTILLERY and ONSLAUGHT were certainly in for a treat this evening as the two cult acts raised the roof with memorable performances, characterized by high energy and tons of exuberance! However, with a rather slow start to open the festivities, fans trickled in sporadically making any abundance of applause slightly lacking.
Montreal’s ECLIPSE PROPHECY gave their all with a strong set punctuated by huge grins and enthusiastic abandon. Singer, David McGregor encouraged the audience to move up front and even went so far as to jump off stage to sing in the crowd! Leaving the spotlight from center stage to highlight the player’s ability, McGregor periodically often remained at the back of the stage as members jumped from side to side jubilantly; guitarist, Pierre-Olivier Mérizzi captivating many with stunning fret work and finger tapping! “Through the Storm”, “Labyrinth of Sanity”, “Inferno” and “Days of Judgement”, all went down rather well with the few audience members in attendance cheering their efforts. Despite empty spaces on the venue floor, those present were not disappointed.
With Ontario’s STRIKER not being able to play, California’s VX36 were more than happy to fill in instead and it showed! Immediate and jarring, their brand of Thrash was more akin to riff ideas, à la Jeff Henneman, than perhaps ECLIPSE PROPHECY and also adding elements of groove for good measure, made the set an enjoyable one to experience. Spastic and manic, the trio raged through “Blood War”, “Looking through the Eyes of the Dead”, “Darkness” and “The Storm” culminating in a set focused on their latest album, “A Violent Existence”. Too bad the crowd didn’t seem to be enthralled as perhaps they should’ve been -merely nodding their heads in approval. Still, VX36 gave a tight performance that deserved more.
Flooding the venue’s floor and rushing to the stage, fans got up close and personal to Denmark’s ARTILLERY who exuded a calm, collective professionalism in their playing as newcomer to the center stage, singer Michael Bastholm Dahl, raised the roof with a searing delivery that hit all the rights notes! Stone-faced but charismatic nonetheless, guitarist Michael Stutzer, showcased his ability to shred and solo in the faces of those in the front row and who remained dazzled! Running the gamut of material through their career, such as “Eternal War”, “Khomaniac”, “By Inheritance”, “Let There be Sin”, and “Legions” sent fans headbanging to Thrash heaven!
To end the evening on a similar note, the U.K.’s ONSLAUGHT picked up right where ARTILLERY left off, blasting the audience with Thrash-tastic frenzy, as fans quickly established a circle pit that didn’t quit until the cult act left the stage. Beginning with a dramatic Wagner-esque classical intro, the band mounted the stage with cult singer Neil Turbin (DEATHRIDERS, ex-singer for ANTHRAX) in tow, looking ominous with dark glasses and imposing frame. The stops were clearly removed as the Englishmen brazenly rolled through “The Sound of Violence”, “Rest in Pieces”, “66Fuckin6”, and “Power from Hell”, among others. Although the set was a bona fide triumph sonically, Turbin‘s vocals could have been made louder during some numbers and during introductions of each member. Due to high-pitched humming of feedback, presenting each member was done twice! Nonetheless, Turbin became increasingly comfortable on stage, fist pumping the air, hitting drum cymbals with his fist and generally relaxing and having fun and before anyone knew it, the set was over….much too soon.
Special thanks to 13 Media Concerts for allowing me exclusive access to the event!
Chris
