By Mark Gromen

Chillicothe, Ohio: this is God, guns and guts territory, as noted by preponderance of camouflage/hunting pants (basically anyone not in denim), the fireworks shops and religious billboards dotting the open spaces between small towns reachable only by meandering old state highways. Down the road from dual razor wire encased correctional facilities and the local Budweiser bottling plant (although all NASCAR flavours abounded: Coors Light, Busch, Bud Light, etc.), set up outdoors, on a hand built stage behind the Ross County fairground’s grandstand, Warriors Of Metal II hosted seven bands each of two days, travelling from around the country to be there. Fans were allowed to camp on the premises, cookout and bring in their own beverages! Not sure why there weren’t more under 25s in the crowd, seems handmade for a bunch of high-schoolers or college kids. Truck in a keg or two, rage for the weekend, without fear of DWI/DUI, then have mom/dad pick them up Sunday morning/afternoon. Yet it was not to be.

Kentucky bred PAIN LINK were a late addition to the roster. The well tattooed and balding scene veterans perform something between thrash and Lamb Of God inspired vocal mayhem. Bands need to change their onstage raps when playing to smaller crowds, especially those comprised almost entirely of fellow musicians and industry types, neither of whom are going to go ape-shit (clap, scream, throw horns, or as Pain Link calls them, “goats”). ‘March Of The Patriot’ was one of two tracks dedicated to the US military, while ‘Power That Lies Within’ was introduced as their “video song.” New/unreleased songs aired included ‘Punishment Severe’ and ‘13 _’.

Cleveland suburbanites ETERNAL LEGACY, signed to Auburn Records, were up next. The twin guitar foursome was the lone act to employ keyboards, although sparingly. Strong guitar harmonies throughout, although ‘Lifeless Alive' saw them reduced to single axe, Jason Vanek opting solely for vocals. ‘Lost But Not Alone’, ‘Visionary Sin’ and an untitled instrumental preceded the set ending ‘Shadow Of Revolution’. Their set was over quickly.

An interminable delay as ANCIENT CREATION set up their drums, then did an impromptu check, but given the quintet had driven from Kansas City, MO, a little extra was OK. After a rough start, the sound was dialled in and the neo-classical thrash (with the odd death grunt courtesy of bassist Andy Kritz) gave guitarist Peter Nisenkier plenty of opportunities to shred on material from Evolution Bound (out on the Netherlands based Melissa Records) and the ‘Moonlight Monument closer (appropriate on a full moon lit night). In ’08 Metal On Metal Records issued a dual disc compilation by West Virginia’s twin guitar quartet CATCH 22, featuring their Soulreaper album plus Evilution/Devilution. This is old school metal at its finest, TJ Berry’s whiskey rasp and Flying V guitar-work cementing the backbone.

Texas’ traditional metallers ASKA put on a worthy headlining performance, despite chilly weather compounding defections to the late hour. Since first being blown away by their Nightmare Records gig in San Antonio, Aska have won responding praise for two German dates, including the Keep It True festival. In the process of finishing a new album, which should see them land a higher profile (duly warranted) they’re gearing up for a Rocklahoma show too! The nearly 80 minute set was culled from almost all five discs, although a major portion (‘Invasion’, ‘Her Ghost: Remains’, ‘Freedom’ and the ‘Longships’ finale) came from their latest Absolute Power (’08). Few signed acts give as much thought to stage antics, from synchronized triple headbanging of guitarist/frontman George Call, bassist/backing singer Keith Knight (lead on ‘Vigilante’ and gruff accents on ‘Valkyiers’) and guitarist Daryl Norton. Old school anthems like ‘Leprosy’, ‘Immortal’, ‘Blood Of The Wolf’ (complete with audience howling at the full moon) and ‘Crown Of Thorns’ were moved along by powerhouse drumming of Danny White and Call’s affable comedic personality. This guy NEEDS to be on the world’s biggest stages. Luckily, Aska have the music and showmanship to make that happen!

DAY 2
The second afternoon saw a bigger underage presence, even if a good portion were family/in-laws/friends of Lunarium (whose guitarist Ryan Carroll, aka Rygon Riffaxe, promoted the event). HAMMER HORDE, yes the same Viking outfit that took out monthly full page ads in Terrorizer and Metal Maniacs (RIP) are from Northern Ohio, a land of ice and snow. Each member has an individualized look, part of a collective image of long hair and bushy beards augmented by an assortment of knee length tunics, leather breastplates and hammer of Thor amulets (but no ale horns!?!). ‘In The Name Of Winter’s Wrath’ is but a sample of their ambitious sound (which includes “woah, woah” backing chants). ‘Through Celestial Seascapes’ can be heard on Myspace, a gruffer, more aggressive tact. Only five lengthy compositions could be offered during the allotted time, including ‘Howl Of Himinbjorg’ and the closing title track ‘Under The Mighty Oath’. It would seem the growling metal epics possess a level of sophistication lost on Hot Topic’s off-the-rack Affliction attired fans of US scream-core, but as Lunarium later proved, there’s a (gratifying) unexpected acceptance in these pastoral surroundings.

Chicago based SACRED DAWN are on Nightmare Records, yet possess a bluesy rock/metal basis atypical of that progressive label. As a two guitar four-piece there was plenty of room onstage and it Dawned on the Chi-towners to break in some new (as yet unrecorded) material, including ‘Wrongfully Accused’ (cue pin-wheeling bassist Joey Vega) which ends with duelling lead solos, ‘Classical Ass’ and a grittier ‘Demon Lover’. Almost screamed vocals, it too features a speedy twin lead section and trio of voices on the titular chorus. ‘Of Madness Within’ is a slower, moody grind and the ‘Delirium’ finale really wasn’t the kind of impact statement needed to close a set.

HELLRAZOR are a single guitar, traditional metal foursome from Raleigh, NC featuring Daylight Dies Charlie Shackelford. Expressive frontman Alan Rueda bears more than a passing resemblance to a slimmer Jack Black, especially when mugging and incanting riffs from guitarist Shackelford (anyone seen School Of Rock?). While the label info mentions Iced Earth (bits in studio, none live) and Armored Saint (nope) this is proto-thrash 80s metal ala the Omen debut or lost gem Tension. A profanity laced between song banter couldn’t deter their signature number and ‘Possession’, where Rueda employs a smoother voice than screamed elsewhere. The title track from the In The Wild debut kicked off with drums, backed with ‘Darker Days’. All out speedster ‘Ride Or Die’ included some high pitched vox, while party all night anthem ‘3 AM’ ended the set on a punky note.

Dragonforce, you have a lot of “splaining” to do (to paraphrase the late Desi Arnaz). Fort Wayne, Indiana’s ZEPHANIAH are a highly proficient, tech-thrash outfit that seemingly throws any/all influences into a song, but musicality is only one part of the repertoire. The quintet are all over the stage (ala Dillinger Escape Plan/Cephalic Carnage/Dragonforce) and when not relentlessly headbanging or pinwheeling hair, they play each others instruments, spinning in circles, be it guitarist lending the fingering hand to the other’s fretboard or trading axes still slung over the back (this choreography really needs to be seen to fully understand, check out YouTube). Meanwhile, the Meshuggah technical death/thrash at Dragonforce speed is punctuated by Maiden-ish twin leads, high pitched vocals or pig squeals. The shredding riffarama ‘Black Beard’s Revenge’ see synchronized overhand tapping while the fun loving nature of these youngsters is summarized by the introduction to ‘Quest For The Royal Crown’, humorously depicted/dedicated to a local label head’s favourite cola! Somehow it all comes off as very tuneful and highly entertaining. Later in the show, when things slow down (at least in terms of onstage traffic), ‘Barbarian’s Tale’ and ‘Fields Of The Impaled’ prove to be decent power metal, free of histrionics.

Like Hammer Horde, LUNARIUM embody the Warriors Of Metal spirit, the Celtic battle metal troupe outfitted in kilts and chainmail. Jarloc plays a self-made bass with a pike/handle off the bottom, which allows him to brandish it overhead, one handed, like a five foot broadsword! The band sport a unique/authentic vocal approach, thanks in large part to guitarist Nathan Breidenbaugh (aka Cinnead Loreweaver). Picture a young, bespectacled Geddy Lee, or your college science prof. His clean style will be sorely missed, as health issues will relegate him solely to axe duties, which he unexpectedly announced from the stage this evening. Following the opening ‘War Cry’, ‘Long Have I Wandered’ began with three-part a cappella (!) vocal harmonies (think Great Big Sea in costumes). ‘Heritage Taken’ commences with twin guitar leads also employing the oft utilized triple voices (“La, la, la” backing or main lyrics). ‘Hail The Fallen’ came with a heartfelt dedication commemorating the 65th anniversary of the start to the D-Day invasion (June 6th). Speaking of historical epics (the guy’s “last name” is Loreweaver, isn’t it?) there’s ‘1066’ (tale of the Battle Of Hastings). Outside of the seriousness in tone, there’s a Monty Python tongue-in-cheek enjoyment evident within the members. A slower, regal begun ‘Lord Of Winter’ turns into a rollicking power metal inspired number, while the set concludes with the usual ‘Trollslayer’, minus the re-enactment featuring 7 foot tall Eddie inspired titular nemesis. After securing a suitable frontman replacement (no easy task given the uniqueness required), Lunarium deserve the chance to be showcased outside their environs, preferably back on the Ol’ Sod.

TWISTED TOWER DIRE had the unenviable task of being the final band of a two day festival, playing after the group most attendees had come to see (if not directly related to), in the early hours of Sunday morning. Their abbreviated set ended at 3 AM! It’s been a few years since witnessing the Virginians (since transplanted to North Carolina) and had forgotten how infectious these songs can be (now reissued with bonus tracks on Heaven & Hell Records). After a blazing ‘Battle Call’ instrumental intro, ‘Guardian Bloodline’ came screaming out of the over taxed PA like a breath of fresh air, blowing the dust from my memory banks. TTD introduced a trio of new songs, of which two proved instant winners to these ears. ‘Snow Leopard’ (currently available at their website) recalls Thin Lizzy, a catchy pop sensibility punctuated by piercing clean treble guitar of Scott Waldrop, while ‘Only Way’; was a little more agro. Maiden-ish twin riffs characterize ‘The Dagger’s Blade’. ‘When The Daylight Fades’ (off The Isle Of Hydra) is about as old school as it gets, although the killer riffs within ‘Final Stand’ also deserve to be heard. Under a moonlit sky, they ended with a pair of covers ‘A Dangerous Meeting’ (Mercyful Fate) and Judas Priest’s ‘Heading Out To The Highway’. And that’s precisely what time it was, exiting for the hotel get-together.

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