Said cut was the set closer, complete with backing vocals from a couple of interloping fans, this scribe included. Olathia, an established act who have two full-lengths to their name, as well as a current EP, entitled Madness Reigns In Cleveland, where the jovial Chris Emig and boys offer a killer rendition of Savatage's "Hall Of The Mountain King", as the Floridians performed it, at the Agora, back in '87. "Earthshaker" sees frontman Robbie Hett, decked out like a mini-Halford, headbanging, at the edge of the stage. Searchlights burn down from above, on "The Metal Machine" and the sing-along chorus of "Hail To The Horns" closes the set. The band truly found their niche with 2017's Metal Machine, a good portion of the set is culled from the same. Sadly they didn't bring along the album artwork models who lay fawning at the foot of the Viking throne, like the similar bevy adorning KISS' Love Gun. In addition to promoting the Skulls Of My Enemy (out via German label Pure Steel), the boys were filming a concert video for "Metallium", which was aired, along with newbie "Nordic Witch". The first night kicked off with a shot of leather bound, traditional metal, courtesy of Resistance. Each night, support came from a local band, as well as another out-of-town guest: Friday: Olathia and Cali-based Resistance (who played Cleveland, pre-pandemic, as part of one of Peter's Holiday charity events) Saturday: Vandallus and Pittsburgh area Lady Beast, who have also made several previous stops in Northeast Ohio. He remains such a humble guy (a true rarity in the music/entertainment world) that he deflected the purpose of the weekend to include donations for the local animal shelters. So naturally, I leapt at the chance to emcee this special weekend. In fact, back in the ‘80s, when local publications wanted a metal expert, Bill deferred them my way, so he was instrumental in starting me on the writing/photography sidelight that has seen me travel the world and experience amazing things. He managed our softball team, I was at his wedding. We've attended hundreds of shows together, in CLE, as well as accompanying his Auburn label bands to Rochester, Detroit, even meeting up in Germany.
Initially on a "rival" station in town, our paths crossed repeatedly, eventually becoming fast friends. Truth be told, I've known Bill for pretty much that entire span. During that time, he's helped countless bands and the guys in Night Demon wanted to honor his work, by flying in from California, on their own dime, for a pair of shows, with no repeated tracks on the successive nights.
That was for Cleveland college radio legend, Bill Peters, who has had a weekly metal program, for four decades. Yes it was, but not the band's celebration.
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