A headbangers’ ball found in November Mayhem 2
Havoc, pandemonium, commotion, maelstrom, insanity, madness, mayhem — November Mayhem is underway in St. John’s, and you’re wanted in the moshpit.
With an early start time, this music festival inspired local metal-heads to head down to The Rockhouse on George Street before 10 p.m., to catch the debut set of new local band Sons of an Eastern Moon.
The Viking metal band was tight. With lyrical content inspired by Norse mythology,
a personal favourite was “Scorched Steeples,” about a Viking vs. Christians massacre.
“I can’t believe this is their first set ever,” a friend said after the band finished. Clearly wellrehearsed, it’s evident that we will see this new five-piece moving swiftly from early opening act to local headliner.
New Brunswick’s Lionsault was next, the three-piece rock & roll band contrasting heavy breakdowns with a mix of clean and harsh vocals from front woman and bassist Kortni Nicols.
Playing cuts from their fouralbum discography, the selfdescribed “dance-y metal” band kept heads bobbin’ and feet movin’ throughout their 45-minute set.
The Mirimachi musicians were followed by Outlyrs, a Halifax-based trio, drawing inspiration from legendary heavy metal, southern metal, and thrash giants.
This would be the standout set of the night, their impressive musical capabilities complemented by their awesome stage presence — I can’t remember the last time I saw a player do a full body guitar/bass spin.
Throughout the set, a pal and I exchanged glances of disbelief — we would definitely go see this band again.
Setting the stage for the Torontonian headliners, local four-piece Category VI had the fourth slot.
The melodic metal band put on a killer show, their front woman captivating the audience with her impressive operatic vocals and Stevie Nicks-esque one-piece golden jumpsuit.
After nearly a decade, two full-length albums and a demo, the band has perfected their sound and act.
If Category VI was based in a larger city, they would consistently play with major bands, especially Canadian heavy metal giants, like the November 9 headlining act.
Manacle hit the stage around 1:15 a.m. The Toronto-based heavy metal band are well polished and slayed their 45-minute set.
Already deserving of the headlining slot based on their hair and stage presence alone, it was almost surprising to see a front man not playing an instrument — only vox.
Together, the guitarist, bassist, and drummer proved again and again that a three-piece band can shred just as well as any four or five-piece —who needs a rhythm guitar when relentless riffs drive the songs?
Focusing on their May 2018 album “No Fear to Persevere,” the band impressed the crowd, with a handful of hardcore fans belting out the lyrics back at the band.
Manacle ended their set with a Judas Priest cover, finishing up just after 2 a.m.
November Mayhem also played Saturday, Nov. 10, and like the Friday night show, a slew of local and touring bands joined them, armed and ready to shred your face off.
Bangovers are imminent. Protect ya neck.