The New Year started with a bit of a rough start for The Distillery. The Calgary music venue was hit by a major flood and it was unclear if they would be opened for a show on Jan. 9 with headliners Exit Strategy. Luckily, the bar was able to get everything cleared up enough to open the doors that weekend.

Cast in Stone kicked off the night. CIS has just recently started playing live again after almost a yearlong hiatus. The band had a hard time putting together a full line up and were still down a bassist when it was time for this show. Fortunately, the Calgary band’s former bassist Nate McClay was able to fill in and help complete their sound; but, from now on, the band will be going on as a four piece. They played songs of their EP The Machine along with a few new tunes, including one un-named song with vocalist John Mickle trying his hand at the guitar.

Meggido has been playing with their new vocalist Mike Harrach for a few months now. Harrach joined lead guitarist Russ Gautier on “Pandemic” and definitely seemed more comfortable in the role of vocalist/guitarist as in his other band the Seventh Eye. “Exalted” ended off the set and had the crowd headbanging to the breakdown.

Exit Strategy were excellent as always. Their set list still includes a few songs off of United States of Amnesia but for the most part they pummeled the crowd with new material that will be on their upcoming album. Vocalist Thérèse Lanz dedicated the song “Carmen” to Marsha Meidow who passed away Jan. 6. who sadly passed away Jan. 6 from a brain aneurysm. The theme of the song fits with Meidow’s amazing life and work as a counselor and advocate for homeless and exploited women. Quite a few people in the crowd could relate to this song because Meidow made such an impact throughout Calgary. Exit Strategy’s songs point out atrocities and contradictions in the world that are affecting us whether directly or indirectly. You really have to appreciate a group of musicians who take a stand against ignorance and, instead of preaching at you, grind your face off.