Crimson Forest, Drustvar, Sunday evening. There are quieter ways to introduce a new colleague than calling for a herald to sound the drums of war. Shredding Accordingly chose the appropriate one for its audience, unveiling Vivian Skybreaker as its new drummer before a crowd already well disposed towards making a considerable noise of its own.
Skybreaker replaces Xabia Nolana, whose departure earlier this year left the band performing as a trio. Her arrival restores the four-piece alongside Baldemar Sweet-Stonebridge on accordion and bass guitar, lead guitarist and songwriter Vetterick ‘Shredduin’ Breiden, and harpist Octavia Sweet-Stonebridge. For followers who had wondered what would become of the vacant drum stool, Sunday supplied a fairly emphatic answer.
The announcement was folded into the evening’s Hallow’s End theatre. A pumpkin-headed Horseman of Metal presided from the saddle, accompanied by Lieutenant Red Crimson, with both addressing the gathering in rhymes and ominous proclamations. Skybreaker raised her sticks to the sky as cheers broke out. From the audience, Fashionista Khari’s cry of “That’s my daughter!” supplied a rather warmer welcome than the surrounding talk of pestilence and war.
The theatrical framing suited the location and the occasion, giving the concert a sense of ceremony without preventing anyone from enjoying themselves. The Horseman’s persistent rhyming did, however, test the patience of Miss Ladi, who eventually threatened to turn his head into soup.
With titles including Old God’s My Witness, Voidbringer, Sad But True and Fear of the Dark, the evening offered ample encouragement to an audience that needed very little. Calls for a mosh pit came early, and the dancing and headbanging continued through repeated exhortations from the performers. The crowd contributed much of the evening’s pleasure: this was an audience willing to answer the band, encourage its newest member and demand more when offered a perfectly serviceable opportunity to go home.
Skybreaker’s debut had rough edges. At points she visibly struggled to keep pace, and a pause became necessary when she stopped moving behind the kit. A bucket of water brought her briskly back into action. Later, she fell with the snare drum, recovered her feet, set it upright and counted in the next song. Anyone expecting an entirely polished first outing would have found grounds for criticism, though her determination to continue was equally plain.
She also showed a quick understanding of the relationship between this band and its supporters. Souvenir drumsticks went sailing into the audience, with replacements apparently stored in her boot. Kreha’daras Phoenix caught one and nearly dislodged his own visor while celebrating, another bounced from Deedi Dirgefuse’s hat before being secured. Collecting band memorabilia required a little more alertness than usual.
The strongest judgement on the evening came when the announced conclusion failed to conclude it. Cheers secured an encore, then another.
Afterwards, Skybreaker worried that she had missed a few beats. Baldemar’s answer was straightforward: “You did grand.” The crowd’s applause, and the affectionate reception waiting for her when she left the kit, suggested that the sentiment was widely shared. Shredding Accordingly’s new line-up has some settling in to do, but Sunday gave its supporters good reason to want the next performance.
Missed the concert? or just want more Shredding Accordingly? Roaring Days 10 is happening on the 20th to 22nd of November.
Three days of live music and performance, with Shredding Accordingly among the acts taking part along with more than 15 other artists. Roaring Days brings artists and audiences together for a festival celebrating music and community spirit. Its tenth edition takes place on 20–22 November.
Artists wishing to perform should contact Hardhy Lester as soon as possible to sign up. Bring your act to Roaring Days 10 and help make the anniversary worth hearing.