I think it’s only fair to say right from the beginning here that this isn’t so much of a review as it is a recollection, because no matter how I word it, it’s gonna sound biased.

You see, the Halloween show at Big Al’s in Calgary, Alta. featuring headliners Sacred Ally in their fourth anniversary performance, was my first show laying down the synth for Celtic-influenced death metal act Gales of Avalon.

The cool thing about this show, aside from sharing the stage with the always-awesome progressive trio that is Phantom Limb, was that not only was this my first show, I got to share it with my alumnus, Sacred Ally. I was on stage with them at The Shamrock in 2005 for that first show. Eric Smistad was on bass then, and I think there only four or five songs in the guitar case. They’ve come a long way and their unique brand of speed metal and on-stage charisma are definitely a combined force to be reckoned with on the Alberta metal circuit. All one had to do was look around Big Al’s. Halloween gigs are always a tough draw, but peopled showed. Some in costume – like Pitch Black’s advertising director, who won first place in the costume comp – and some just arrived ready to headbang. Then, of course, there was Exit Strategy/Truck drummer Casey Rogers, who either came to play the accordion, sword fight or both.

Whatever the goal, wicked memorable way to commemorate my first show with Gales.