A diverse mix of metal bands gathered for a fun filled Saturday night on October 26th at The Drunk Horse Pub in Fayetteville, NC. The American Epidemia Tour kicked off in late summer and is winding down in it’s closing weeks. Leading the way are Latin metal band Ill Niño, with support from Sunflower Dead and IN-CYDE. With 3 different bands from different areas on the map and different styles one thing is shared in common amongst them, and that is rocking hard. What better way to spend your Saturday night than rocking out to some of today’s best alternative metal on the scene and The Drunk Horse Pub was filled with fans ready to go.
IN-CYDE from Australia began the evening with one heck of a killer show at The Drunk Horse Pub. They did something unique and different than most bands that perform there. Jan Nicolas Blom (vocalist) actually performed on the floor right in front of the audience view, something that is rarely seen. He wanted to make the show come alive that night and he certainly did with his inventive and unique stage presence. He made both the venue and the audience feel special as he came up to everyone in the crowd and sang right in front of their face. It was a real treat that everyone loved and enjoyed seeing. Nathan Cave (bass), Craig Irons (guitar), and Josh Paish (drums) performed as if they were playing in front of the largest venue in the world as they projected their vibe onto the crowd. IN-CYDE’s performance was an amazing and insightful thing to witness, especially for people seeing them for the very first time. They certainly gave their all and did not think twice about going the extra mile, ensuring that every single music fan in that room left the venue with nothing short but great memories as well as new fans.
Sunflower Dead from Los Angeles, CA are a band full of dark imagery and style. The band stole not only the hearts but ears of the music fans in attendance that night with their unique stage presence and sound. Michael (vocals) came up to the stage with an accordion in hand, unknowingly to the music fans who for many of them being their first time seeing this band live as well as hearing about them. Sunflower Dead immediately stole the show with their energetic stage presence, style, and skill that everyone in the venue welcomed with open arms. Sometimes a band has an image with little to go with that image and that is not the case with Sunflower Dead. These guys have the talent to go along with the theatrical vibe they give off. The crowd could not get enough of this band, and in turn the band could not get enough of the crowd’s enthusiasm either. After the set the band was more than willing to take photographs with fans, old and new, as well as sign many autographs and answer any questions that people had for them. Possibly one of the best bands to come through to The Drunk Horse Pub and with many people’s hope that it would certainly not be the last time they come through there.
Closing out the American Epidemia Tour were none other than New Jersey based Latin metal band Ill Niño. With their powerful new album entitled Epidemia released in 2012, this tour is an exciting time in the touring cycle in support of the record. There was no question people in attendance were eagerly anticipating the bands performance. With numerous crowd chants and cheers as the band started to play, the energy in the room was so high thanks in part too opening acts In-Cyde and Sunflower Dead. When Ill Niño hit the stage, the sound and atmosphere in the room exploded that it felt as if Ill Niño was performing inside Madison Square Garden. Their aggressive sound mixed with a Latin flair has always made these guys unique to others in the scene. They delivered hard and heavy, with a performance lasting an hour. In that span they played some of their best known hits including their song “How Can I Live”. The crowd loved every moment of their performance and clearly felt as if they wanted more. Cristian Mochado (vocals) could not stop smiling as well as his bandmates because they saw and knew that everyone in the venue was having the time of their life. It’s times like this that the venue size, or even the crowd size, doesn’t matter to a band. When an audience is enjoying the performance as much as the band is enjoying delivering it, that is all the magic needed to drive inspiration.
Ill Niño put on a show for the eyes, ears, and the soul. After the show the band had a meet and greet with their legions of fans and were more than happy to sign anything that their fans asked them to as well as take numerous photographs. Positivity and hugs went along the way between the guys and long time fans.
Written by Lee Letarte
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