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Early show, as the club wanted to double-dip and have a non-rock, dance party (or something), starting at 10 PM. That meant shorter sets, all around and local thrash support, courtesy of Traitor, began at 7. Speaking of double-duty, the guys were debuting a new drummer, after the amicable retirement of Joe Rado. Taking his place is guitarist Brian Mikus' brother, Keith, who also plays in Tower. The guy is quite animated, getting around the kit, and seemed to be enjoying himself. 

Traitor started with "Take Over", just as it begins their lone album (although a follow-up to Last Hope For The Wretched is in the works), a storming opener, with Greg Lundmark on guitar and vocals. More screaming guitars on "Baptized By Fire". An older tune, the twin lead begun "Bastards" is fast and thrashy, what Traitor do best. Their half hour onstage concludes with "Under Attack", a tuneful, twin axe assault.  Good stuff, now let's finish up that sophomore album!

The tiny Kung Fu Necktie stage could barely house all the hooded Savage Master characters. The crude visual looks like someone hacked rudimentary, asymmetric eyeholes into a purple Crown Royal bag, then slid it overhead. At times, the stage lights wash out any facial features and the smooth, expressionless purple lumps look like Star Wars' Admiral Ackbar!  

With stage room at a premium, there'd be no goat mascot tonight (which they unveiled at 2 Minutes To Tulsa, earlier this year). Still, vampiric dominatrix Stacey Savage brought a few props. Big impact, right away, with "Ready To Sin", with a catchy chorus that had everyone shouting along to "Under the banner, six, six, six". For "With Whips And Chains", Stacey mockingly flagellates one of the hooded guitarists and later sings with a fistful of iron links. 

She also controls the crowd, who fall under her spell. Later, she'll parade around a three wick candelabra, an ornate dagger ("Myth, Magic And Steel") and for the "Spirit Of Death" finale, drink blood from a chalice, the residual crimson stuck in the corners of her mouth. The music is fast paced, traditional metal. Until a week ago, the dual lead begun "Never Ending Fire" had never been aired live and now resides comfortably amongst oldies like "Blood On The Rose" and newbie "Queen Satan". Enjoyable, action packed, comic book horror rock show.

Haunt has (permanently) borrowed guitar whiz Joel Dominguez (who remains committed to Saber, with a second album, Lost In Flames, set to be issued on Reigning Phoenix Music's ROAR label, this fall) for a potent twin axe attack. As they kick into "Steel Mountains" Trevor Church is center stage, behind the mic. When he's not, he frequently jumps atop a lightbox/riser, at the lip of the stage. 

Church kept his affinity for white NWOBHM t-shirts intact (last tour it was Angel Witch, this time around it's Witchfinder General). When he's not on the riser, Dominguez often takes his place. The music is a collection of infectious (almost radio friendly) hard rock and metal. Appropriately getting the blood pumping, "Hearts On Fire" is bathed in red lights, while "Fight The Good Fight" turns green, which means "Go," in terms of audience participation, most singing the titular chorus. 

Racing against the clock, there's not a lot of time for gabbing to the audience, just all business tonight. The main man commandeers the stage and riser for "Flashback", showing his shredding skills, while practically in amongst the fans. The soft-spoken Church loves being onstage, almost as much as talking with his fans, before the show (or typically, afterwards, at the merch area, but not tonight). 

Racing to finish the set (early arrivals for the "after party" waiting at the door), Haunt  ended with strong back-to-back pairing of "Frozen In Time" (also the name of a festival Church runs, in Sacramento, CA) and culminating with a blazing "Burst Into Flame", which allows Joel a chances to trade licks with its creator. 

Next time, hopefully there will be some time to relax & have a beer with fans, afterwards. Come back soon!