The Vancouver death metal scene has opened its hellish gates and is about to Unleash the Archers on our fair city.
Heavily influenced by metal icons like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Ronnie James Dio, Unleash the Archers are touring across the country in support of their CD Demons Of The Astrowaste.
In a genre dominated by male lead singers, Archers's front woman, Brittney Hayes, is considered a rarity.
"I personally don't have any trouble with it. I love it and these guys are my best friends and the road is where we belong. But a lot of people will pass judgment on us without even hearing us. Feel free to not like our music, but listen to it first. Give us a chance. And you know what? I'm just going to keep doing what I do and if you don't like it, your opinion isn't going to stop me," said Hayes.
Unleash the Archers's death metal sound is a far cry from where Hayes started out at the age of eight, singing with the University of Victoria chamber singers.
"That's where I learned a lot about most of the musical techniques I use today," said Hayes.
Then one day her musical influences changed in a heartbeat.
"I first heard Iron Maiden when I was 17 and I absolutely fell in love with metal from that moment on. I never applied myself to it until I started dating drummer Scott [Buchanan] and I said to myself, 'I think I can do that.'"
Hayes and Buchanan formed Unleash the Archers while still living in Victoria, but moved to Vancouver a year ago and now live together in a converted office space above a warehouse, she added.
"We're making music the number one priority in our lives right now," said Hayes. "This band is a business first and foremost and you have to treat it as such. Every night that you play a show it's doing your job and you've got to do it with a professional frame of mind. Be ready to play and put on the best show you can for everyone every time you play. Also, you have to have a good time with it."
Unleash the Archers will be performing at Third: A Venue, 1157 Third Avenue, Monday, at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at the door.
For more information about Unleash the Archers visit www.facebook.com/UnleashTheArchers or unleashthearchers.com.
