A Calgary-based heavy metal band with a few of albums under their belt and a number of accolades to their name will play The Vat next week.
Throne of Vengeance will support San Francisco heavy metal band CASTLE in Red Deer on Oct. 28th at The Vat. Showtime is 8 p.m.
The band, who has been together for five years, includes Tommy Holt on lead vocals/guitar, Trevor Cobb on the drums, Riley Cobb on bass and Brady Side as lead guitarist.
TOV continues to impress their fans year after year and their various awards point to their success as well. Just last month, the band won the Best Overall Band category at the eighth annual Calgary Beer Core Awards.
The group has released three albums including their debut EP Toxic Black Cloud in 2009, their first full-length album Flesh Engine in 2011 and most recently, Live Evil in 2013. Live Evil reached number four on the College Radio National Loud Charts.
Bridging the gap between metal and rock with help from dual guitar harmonies, pounding drum lines and wide-ranging vocal harmonies, Live Evil echoes the band’s signature thrash-tinged rock.
“Live Evil is a collection of songs based on our experiences in the last two years, covering everything from a close friend’s imprisonment for a victimless crime to the realization of humanity’s demise to the contrast between good and evil and life and death,” said Trevor. “If there’s anything we would like people to take away from the record, it’s that you should be your own person, do what makes you happy, be aware of your world and be real. We have the power to control our own destiny. Together, we are more powerful than any world leader.”
As for the band’s inspiration, it comes from various places, Side added.
“Our musical influences include bands such as Megadeth, Machine Head, Mastodon, and Priestess,” he said. “And we draw inspiration from the people in our lives, and our fellow bands that make up Canada’s growing music scene.”
In coming up with new material, Side said Throne of Vengeance is always looking to evolve.
“We are constantly trying to evolve and better our sound by pushing our limits with songwriting and working to become more proficient with our instruments and vocals,” he said, adding their sound is unique in that it, “Has a thrash metal meets hard rock sound, with heavy drums, clear vocals, and soaring guitar riffs.”
Playing live shows is one of TOV’s highlights and Side said it’s really the crowd that keeps them going.
“For us it’s all about the people. We have had the chance to meet so many great fans and fellow musicians from far and wide, and we love connecting to them through our music. Knowing that our music means something to someone is the most rewarding feeling,” he said.
Over the summer, Throne of Vengeance had the opportunity to play at a number of venues including Alberta’s Own. Reflecting on their experiences, Side said there were many highlights.
“We had a great time playing the Calgary Metalfest Kickoff party, playing two shows in Vancouver in June, and playing at the Republik in Calgary in July,” he said. “Throne has toured across the nation twice, but this year saw us touring western Canada extensively, including playing Beaverfest and Alberta’s Own festival in August.”
Looking ahead, TOV continues to work hard and looks forward to playing more shows across the province and farther west in the coming months.
“We have been hard at work writing new tunes and preparing for recording this winter, as well as getting excited for several shows in the next couple months in Alberta and B.C.,” said Side.
Tickets for the Red Deer show next week can be purchased for $10 in advance at The Vat, The Soundhouse and 53rd Street Music. Tickets can also be purchased at the door for $15.
efawcett@reddeerexpress.com
