Saturday, October 03, 2015

Winter comes early

There must be something attracting French metal bands to Ottawa; just a few weeks after Vulcain passed through, Alcest made the trip to Bytown. They were on tour with Emma Ruth Rendle, another performer making her name on the outskirts of metal. As it happened, several other acts were in the vicinity. I'm guessing that rather than indulging in some fatal audience-splitting, the folks at Black Widow productions just decided to stick Abigal Williams and Today into Mavericks as well, add on locals Destroy Clocks, Peronicus and Inherent and call it a festival. Unfortunately I arrived to late to catch Peronicus's set. Thus, I headed upstairs to check out Destroy Clocks, who seemed a little bemused to be on a metal bill (last time I saw them was at the House of Targ opening for No Joy). Here's Nicole rocking the keys.

Destroy Clocks at Cafe DeKcuf

N. Hell frets!

Destroy Clocks at Cafe DeKcuf

Jeff hits!

Destroy Clocks at Cafe DeKcuf

Hell sings!

Destroy Clocks at Cafe DeKcuf

Singalong action!

Destroy Clocks at Cafe DeKcuf

Close-up action!

Destroy Clocks at Cafe DeKcuf

Dial-twisting action!

Destroy Clocks at Cafe DeKcuf

The whole lot!

Destroy Clocks at Cafe DeKcuf

Downstairs for some metalcore action courtesy of Inherent. Here's growler-in-chief Nick Hughes.

Inherent at Mavericks

Brant Collins handles the low end.

Inherent at Mavericks

Nick takes a stand.

Inherent at Mavericks

Matt Stolarik on drums!

Inherent at Mavericks

Extra Matt!

Inherent at Mavericks

Guitar action with Andrew Kirby!

Inherent at Mavericks

Melodic action!

Inherent at Mavericks

The whole lot!

Inherent at Mavericks

Guitar action!

Inherent at Mavericks

Shadowy action!

Inherent at Mavericks

Andrew sings a bit!

Inherent at Mavericks

And finally a bit more Nick.

Inherent at Mavericks

Back upstairs for some Today Is The Day. Steve Austin and a cast of dozens have been bringing their avant-garde mindbend to audiences since about 1992 - I can remember buying Temple Of The Morning Star back in 1997. Here's the man himself.

Today Is The Day at Cafe DeKcuf

Bassist Trevor Thomas and drummer Douglas Andrae are new additions to the band.

Today Is The Day at Cafe DeKcuf

Steve frets!

Today Is The Day at Cafe DeKcuf

More Steve!

Today Is The Day at Cafe DeKcuf

Douglas hits!

Today Is The Day at Cafe DeKcuf

Extra Trevor!

Today Is The Day at Cafe DeKcuf

Rhythm section action!

Today Is The Day at Cafe DeKcuf

Gripping action!

Today Is The Day at Cafe DeKcuf

Emma Ruth Rendle was a real show-stealer. I'd compare her work to Chelsea Wolfe and Muscle and Marrow (who I saw a couple of weeks later at Mavericks).

Emma Ruth Rundle at Mavericks

The other side of Emma!

Emma Ruth Rundle at Mavericks

The entirety of Emma!

Emma Ruth Rundle at Mavericks

Upstairs for some more heavy stuff in the black metal vein with witchy Olympia combo Abigail Williams. The hoody-loving outfit were short a member since their bassist is verboten in Canada, but still put on a fine performance with two guitarists and a drummer. I know Ken is the singer; the other axeman is Jeff and the drummer is Charlie Fell.

Abigail Williams at Cafe DeKcuf

Charlie hits!

Abigail Williams at Cafe DeKcuf

More guitar!

Abigail Williams at Cafe DeKcuf

Jeff frets!

Abigail Williams at Cafe DeKcuf

Extra Charlie!

Abigail Williams at Cafe DeKcuf

More Jeff!

Abigail Williams at Cafe DeKcuf

Feedback action!

Abigail Williams at Cafe DeKcuf

More guitar!

Abigail Williams at Cafe DeKcuf

When I headed back downstairs to Mavericks, the room was shrouded in stage smoke. Not too much, fortunately, but it was pretty dark and I was thinking I wouldn't be able to take any photos. Fortunately, they turned the lights up. I've seen at least one member of Alcest before; bassist Indria also appeared with Peste Noir at the New Bayou (the space now home to the House of Targ). I've got all of Alcest's albums, and was not disappointed by their live show. The band appeared quite pleased by the enthusiastic audience as well. Here's Indria (and band founder Neige behind him).

Alcest at Mavericks

Guitarist Zero also provides excellent backing vocals.

Alcest at Mavericks

Neige sings!

Alcest at Mavericks

More Zero!

Alcest at Mavericks

Winterhalter is the other mainstary of Alcest.

Alcest at Mavericks

Metal action!

Alcest at Mavericks

A great evening of metal.

No comments: