For the third year in a row, November Mayhem III brought a speed metal onslaught to hordes of metal maniacs at The Rockhouse on November 16th. Started in 2017, the annual event has brought in out-of-province metal bands to the capital city of St. John’s while also showing off our local talent. Newfoundland is a difficult place for touring bands to come to for a number of reasons including transportation, location, and expenses, especially for bands building their name and reputation, so shows like November Mayhem are incredibly important when it comes to bringing in outside acts. Having missed the previous November Mayhems I was ecstatic to go to this year’s event. Four bands coming from Ontario and Nova Scotia and a local heavy weight was just too good to miss out on. From the moment local opener Allagash took the stage to headliner Skull Fist’s exhilarating encore, this show was a blast.
Allagash, local thrash metal group started the show at 9:30. 2019 has been a big year for the band: the release of their new album Cryptic Visions, the announcement of the re-release of their self titled album and Canadian Encounters EP; appearing on Cosmic Rayz, a tribute album to Gamma Ray with their cover of “Send Me a Sign,” and a slew of shows. They opened the show with their signature science fiction inspired thrash/speed metal. In the mosh pit at The Rockhouse I thought, “If there’s aliens in town tonight, this is where they’d be.” Playing tracks off their three releases the crowd knew sang their favourites, showing a real love and appreciation from the group. Allagash are understandably one of the most beloved metal bands in the province, and I for one welcome our local thrash overlords anytime they take the stage.
Following Allagash was Ontario’s Lycanthro. Lycanthro’s music video for “Fog of War”, had me looking forward not just for the band but especially lead vocalist James Delbridge. He exudes the essence of metal in this video, wild hair, black denim and leather, Dave Mustaine signature guitar, a great voice – I was excited to see what he would do in a live setting. He and the rest of the band did not disappoint. Taking the stage under a red glow as a choir and orchestra accompanied them like a march to battle you could tell they weren’t fucking around. Playing under the artwork of their most recent release Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, Lycanthro played a set of classic heavy metal with speed and power metal leanings that was as tight and heavy as it was melodic and catchy. As for Delbridge he did not disappoint, a real showman who can really grab a crowd with his presence and moves, with a constant flow of energy that charged the audience, even at one point going on top of the bar to take the shredding off stage. Even with the minor inconvenience of, as they described it “jet-lagged gear,” Lycanthro never disappointed with their own killer material, a cover of Helloween’s classic “Heavy Metal (Is the Law),” ending with their own epic “The Pale Rider.”
Toronto-based Ammo were next to hit the stage. Ammo are a four man firing squad of a band armed to the teeth with riffs, hooks, and a love for 80’s metal and the style. The leather pants, bullet belts, bandanas and big hair implied the band didn’t have a gimmick- they have a brand.. One of the funniest moments of the show was when one of the audience members shouted that they where “the only band that makes me wish I had hair.” With only their EP Taking the Throne, and single “Too Metal For Metal” on Bandcamp I expected a shorter set, but they played some yet to be released songs like “Steel Dreamer,” and a cover of Grim Reaper’s “See You In Hell” that made the crowd go wild. Even though they played the middle of the show, they had the energy of a headlining act, keeping the set tight and intense which really helped them stand out.
Familiar with the St. John’s metal scene and even The Rockhouse stage, Nova Scotia’s Black Moor had returned for another round. Black Moor was welcomed back by a crowd ready to rage to some of their traditional heavy metal madness. The band began their set around 1:00 AM., just as I was starting to feel a bit tired, but Black Moor woke me up like an audio adrenaline injection. Their sound may be rooted in the metal of the 80’s, but they bring their own attitude and energy keeping it sounding fresh and original. One of Black Moor’s strengths is that it’s not just constant speed, allowing for some breathing room in songs, for a slower, chugging riff, or getting the audience participating in the song at times. I’m sure the band will be making a quick trip back St. John’s some time soon..
Headlining band, Ontario’s Juno-nominated Skull Fist began their show around 2:00 AM. Skull Fist was something else. These speed metal freaks were determined to give the audience one of the most wildly entertaining shows that they’ve ever seen. All band members have such a demanding stage presence, you just can’t look away. They use every available inch of the stage, including the very edge where they spent a lot of time with the front row headbangers. It’s clear the band was having a great time, with ear to ear smiles all night, with that energy transferring to the crowd as people lost their minds over and over again until the end of their show. During the encore, the two guitarists pulled one of the greatest stage moves I’ve ever seen – one guitarist climbed onto the other guitarist’s shoulders, shredding on top of the bar then heading back to the stage, never missing a note. Skull Fist are incredible entertainers while also being clearly disciplined and talented musicians that are set out to thrill any audience they play for.
Along with the music and performances the show ran very smoothly and on schedule.
November Mayhem III was a fantastic show that brought in an array of talent as well as showing off a taste of what our own scene has to offer.
~ James Titford
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