Funeral Rain Press Corps

When: Saturday October 15, 2010
Where: Starlite Room, Edmonton, Alberta

Long story short, I was intending to attend this show, in support mostly of Sonorous Odium, the direct support to Samandriel, but after checking the headliner’s music, I became a fan of them as well. Unfortunately, I was not going to be able to attend simply due to money. I had none.
Thankfully, a friend of mine is friends with Jeff B., the keyboardist of Samandriel, and he was able to hook me and Mrs. Blaspheme up with a guest list spot. So to begin this review: thank you Randee and Jeff!
Now, the show! A band from Calgary, Viathyn, opened up the night’s festivities, and did they kick ass! Unfortunately for them some technical difficulties plagued them and the vocals weren’t quite loud enough, but they impressed me enough to go and grab their CD from the merch booth. Proggy, folky, and technical as hell, Viathyn are going to be a force to reckon with. If you’re into stuff like Opeth, Eluveitie, Korpiklaani, and Finntroll, you might be into these guys.
The second band, Sonorous Odium, are some local favorites. Technical melodic death metal, I guess would fit their genre. I’ve been a fan since I saw them headline a show at New City. Fans of Swedish death in general should give Sonorous Odium a listen. They’ve got an EP out that you can expect a review of soon.
Finally, Samandriel took the stage, and despite having to follow Sonorous Odium’s set were undaunted. And they took home the win. Again, some technical difficulties affected the first couple minutes of their set, but they were soon smoothed over and a nearly flawless victory was achieved. Symphonic gothic metal is Samandriel’s forte, and Doneka’s voice is strong, full, and rich. Hoop’s death growls and bass work add a diversity to the band who, if this show is indicative, have a very bass-heavy live set. If you’re into Within Temptation, Lacuna Coil, The Gathering, etc., Samandriel will probably turn your crank as well. Give them a listen at MySpace, and if you’re interested order a copy of Awakening.
In all, it was a great night; new CDs in my collection, and some good live music. I hope to see all three bands again soon. Hopefully next time I’ll take the damn camera!

When: Wednesday July 8, 2010
Where: New City Likwid Lounge, Edmonton, Alberta

Long story short, a French death metal band called The Seven Gates were going to be destroying New City with Sonorous Odium as direct support, with Titan’s Eve and Auroch from Vancouver opening the show up. Shit goes down and suddenly The Seven Gates were not able to make it. Sent back to Frace from what I understand to be a passport issue. So Sonorous Odium were given the headliner slot. Now, onwards:

Titan’s Eve took the stage and very quickly impressed me and Mrs. Blaspheme. Their overall sound reminds me of Trivium without the polish, something still thrashy and much more raw. Before and after the set we ended up talking to Brian, their singer, and he’s definitely one of the most humble musicians I’ve met, and a really cool dude too. Wait for that video to hit the intertubes soon!
If you ever get the chance to check Titan’s Eve, do it.

A short while after Titan’s Eve left the stage, their fellow Vancouverites and brothers in metal Auroch stepped up with a very different approach to death metal, one that got them a few fans around the room. Mixing clean vocals, high falsettos, and gutterals all from the same throat, they sound a lot like Morbid Angel in the music department at times. Solos fly like bats out of hell, with intricate leads and intense rhythm, and Lovecraftian lyrics. Really fucking good, they definitely made sure that Sonorous Odium were going to have to be on their A-game.

Which, well, they were. Edmonton’s own pride and joy, Sonorous Odium play melodic death metal that reminds me of Arch Enemy (whom their guitarist sported a shirt by incidentally). They also pay some tribute to black metal in some riffs, going as far as covering Behemoth’s “Demigod” as a show closer. These guys fucking kick ass, and I think you’ll be hearing a lot of them over the next couple years. If not from others, at least from me.

In all, it was a great night. My first show upstairs in Likwid Lounge and I am not disappointed in the least, despite the headliner not showing up. Oh well, maybe next time they’ll make it.

Titan’s Eve on MySpace.
Auroch on MySpace.
Sonorous Odium on MySpace.