Unleash The Archers, Firestorm, Dirty Pagans @ Lion Arts Factory, Adelaide 9/6/2024
Brittney Slayes told the audience last night that she remembers posting CDs to Australia all the way from her hometown British Columbia back in 2009 when Unleash the Archers released their debut studio album Behold the Devastation. Conceivably, their debut Australian/NZ tour fifteen years later is a big deal for them and fans alike, and Adelaide’s show brought a healthy crowd of music lovers of all (subgenre metal nerd) stripes and (battle vest) colors.
Unfortunately for me, I have been under a giant rock for these guys and I don’t even know how that happened. Given their immaculate blend of power metal, tech death and 80s hair metal that is like a neoclassical fever dream lead by a relentless powerhouse front woman sporting the operatic stamina of Celine Dion, this act is already clearly a guaranteed a fun time. Wholesome, happy and entertaining, the show provided the warm fuzzies needed to lull punters out in the cold during a dreary winter long weekend.
Additionally, this stop for the British Columbian act was already considered an endeared local affair with Adelaide cult favourite riffs-and-spliffs troupe Dirty Pagans warming the crowd with their 70s doom renaissance tracks and 70s rockstar energy. Following on was desert dwelling outback power thrash larrikins Firestorm from Broken Hill, who have been bellowing their ferocious heat throughout the entire country opening for UTA on their very first big boys’ national support tour.
There was absolutely no slacking off on home turf for these acts, with their hard fast loud but distinctly diverse sounding sets blasting across an enthralled audience like they were intending to set the building on fire, and both bands gave it everything they had for their local crew to welcome the Canadian players.
Unleash The Archers came on blazing to the epic synth opening score of crowd favourite Abyss that erupted to the quickened pace and stirring harmonic riffs of one insanely fast and catchy track that hooks you instantly. Front woman Slayes bewitched her audience immediately with a staunch but animated stage presence while leaving me awestruck at the sheer range and power of her theatrical melodic vocals and banshee warrior wailing. With Andrew Saunders on some hefty guitar duties simultaneously executing flawless back up vocals, and fellow guitarist Grant Truesdell lending the demonic death growls to the glorious variety pack, the band did not stop bouncing around for the entire show, performing with unwavering grandiose and genuinely having a bloody good time. With all that onstage movement, flowing hair and splendid pageantry, there really should have been more wind about it, which is honestly my one and only criticism for the night.
Ghosts In The Mist from latest release Phantoma kept everyone on their toes with finger licky guitar embellishments laced in thick, bass heavy death grooves building to an epic power solo that would make Eddie Van Halen weep. Slayes took a moment with the audience at the end to gush that she could hear that they know all the words.
Slayes’ overt devotion and gratitude towards the audience was genuine and humble, acknowledging in a heartfelt speech during the encore act that the unwavering support from fans is what got the group through the pandemic, where many other bands did not survive. Closing with belter Tonight We Ride which has all the makings of an iconic 80s power ballad, and title track from 2022 release Apex, Unleash The Archers concluded a scorching set, jam packed with joyfully feverous tracks, the perfect amount of drama and flamboyance, delivered with a flawless performance.
Hi Fi Way would like to wish Brittney Slayes a very happy fortieth Birthday today and we are thrilled that you got to spend such a special milestone in our city!
Live Review By Bec Scheucher