Special report by Mark Gromen

We need more promoters like Hoyt Parris and his Pathfinder Promotions, who hand-make larger regional events (GA, AL, TN, SC, FL), multiple times a year and giving local bands a decent place to play, often in support of a bigger, signed national act. Sure, not every participant is a gem, but it opens them to a wider spectrum. Like a metal frat party, different stuff took place in the multi-tiered Masquerade, an old field stone constructed mill. The trio of rooms includes “Heaven’ upstairs, “Hell,” appropriately enough, located below Heaven, and the small anteroom “Purgatory.” This was a night of old school metal, emphasis on guitar and vocals.

Tampa’s VEINS ICED OVER came a long way to perform just four songs, but their unwillingness to play the downstairs room (Hell), as scheduled, threw everything into a tizzy. Thanks to other bands “donating” one song each, the traditional metallers could be accommodated. Apparently tapped to open for Cage in Europe, the music should go over well, with its mid-tempo verses and shredding breaks. Overall, the sound was still getting dialed in during VIO, too much bass and second guitar (Jeff Kittren) was basically unheard, but that didn’t stop the Floridians. They ended with ‘Metal Fockers’, a lyrical pun on the Meet The Fockers films, the titular phrase comprising about 75% of the lyrics.

BRAZEN ANGEL was a pleasant surprise. Undoubtedly guitarist Chris Cannon (who bears a resemblance to Nirvana’s Krist Novoselic meets Will Ferrell’s character in A Night At The Roxbury) is the metalhead in the bunch, as well as band leader. In addition to introducing most songs and overstepping antics typically left to the frontman (a denim vested Reese Martin, think southern-fried John Connelly/Nuclear Assault, capable of hitting the high notes), Cannon borrowed liberally from the 80s glam book of guitar poses and gimmickry, running around the stage in the process: highly entertaining, and talented to boot. Musically, it’s somewhere between Triumph (even before noticing bassist Joey Phillips’ t-shirt) and the commercial metal of which Cannon is obviously a fan. The band is hindered by the lack of a unified look (second guitarist in a sun visor?) and the cover of ‘Mob Rules’ becomes pointless with their concluding run-through of the Charlie Daniels’ hit ‘Devil Went Down To Georgia’ (augmented by donning Stetsons). Of the originals, ‘Galaxy’ began heavier than most, while ‘The Evil Of The Night’ and a Dream Evil inspired ‘Metal For Eternity’ are destined for the debut CD. Will be interested to check it out.

Black Market Activities signees DESTROY DESTROY DESTROY came next, as the jumbled running order changed on the fly, attempting to end before 11pm, so as to not interfere with a reported acoustic act (lied, they were electrified) double-booked by greedy club owners, much to Pariss’ chagrin. Talk about dichotomies, singer Chris Bazor looks like Charles Manson, a giant hammer of Thor tattoo spans his chest. Bassist Adam Phillips appears to be a leftover from the 80s, shirt unbuttoned to his waist and a sleeve of tats, while drummer Adam Core looks more a math/physics collegian than a rocker. Music? Something between power metal pomp and death metal vocals. ‘Realm Of Ancient Shadows’ was up early, beards and hair flailing onstage. They finished all too quickly, perhaps it had something to do with the negative (apathetic, at best) crowd reaction, atypical sound to the rest of the evening’s entertainment.

Integrity award goes to Hoyt Parris, for booking his son’s outfit, ECLIPSED BY SANITY, onto the least hospitable stage. Rather than pull rank and give them a garden spot/slot, say right before the headliners, EBS was relegated to the remote Purgatory. Fans were forced to crush into the back corner, stage lit by a solitary light bulb. Musically, they deserved better, as the dragon and sorcerer themed metal was well executed, including twin leads. Apparently the members’ interests lie in different realms and will be on indefinite hiatus. Shame, since ‘Shadows & Words’ and ‘Blackened Born’ show promise.

There’s a real danger in moving the audience from location to location (even within the same building), to say nothing of heading out the front door (so close to departing) to smoke. After a while, some found the game of musical chairs too much, although most took in at least a portion of the HALCYON WAY set. My third experience with the tight “local” outfit that sport quite the contingent of supporters (and beaucoup merch). With the death of Pete Steele, Kris Maltenieks might be metal’s tallest/hulking bassist. Gone are the floor-length dusters, replaced by matching (albeit individually tailored/styled) HW embroidered button downs. The band’s performance can appeal to fans of '80s hair metal (which they don’t play) and bands like Queensrÿche or Fates Warning, with grittier guitars. From the forthcoming Building The Towers CD, they offered ‘Age Of Eternal’ and ‘Desecration Day’.

CAGE was far away from San Diego, the middle date on a quick weekend jaunt in the Southeast. While Sean Peck and Co. had slayed at ProgPower elsewhere in the city last September, the band now in the process of breaking in two new members. As such, this was essentially the same set, skewed heavily towards Hell Destroyer and the most recent CD, Science Of Annihilation. New stringbender Garrett Peters bears a resemblance to COB mastermind Alexi Laiho, which shouldn’t hurt in gaining a few female fans. Opening with ‘Planet Crusher’, it was on to ‘I Am The King’ and ‘Kill The Devil’, complete with entire band-syncopated stage moves. Peck lost his leather duster and guitarist Dave Garcia, aka Conan, lost his shirt. ‘Scarlet Witch’, dedicated to the ladies, was almost too fast. ‘Hell Destroyer’, then ‘Black River Falls’ gave Peck the chance to try out his King Diamond vocals. Speaking of the falsetto lunged Dane, the encore was their paean to the man. ‘Speed Kills’ and ‘Metal Devil’ rounded out the proper set. With three tracks already written towards the next disc, the band will get serious about a follow-up once they return from a European tour.

Pathfinder will have another event in October. Watch for it!

A photo gallery, featuring ALL the bands, can be seen here.