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Unearthing The Metal Underground: The Salt Lake City, UT Metal Scene
Each week in Unearthing the Metal Underground, we'll be putting a few quality underground bands in the spotlight in an attempt to get the word out about them. This week I am delving into the ferocious metal offered up to the music gods via the Salt Lake City underground metal scene.
In the past, Utah has been known for many things, such as the majestic Rocky Mountains, the Mormon (LDS) culture (really Utahn’s don’t have horns) and of course… polygamy (which 99% of our population does not practice, even if many them would like to). But unbeknownst to the world, it also contains an amazing array of music. From rock, to alternative, to death metal, local bands are showing the world that Utah/Salt Lake City has far more to offer to the Gods of Metal than terrain, religion or quirky lifestyles.
A Balance of Power
A Balance Of Power is one of the first metal bands I came across upon delving into the local scene. They have a very distinct sound combined of progressive and thrash, whcih culminates into pure metal mayhem. Their sound has take them to great heights in Utah and beyond as well as procuring them the honor of being Utah’s first offical Jagermiester sponsored band. From small intimate stages in clubs to opening Rockstar Mayhem festival in Idaho, A Balance Of Power bring out the metal fans in hordes.
Their music is charged with an intense energy that is catapulted to amazing heights at live shows. They recently released their newest CD in April of 2011, "Pride Preceded the Fall." With fierce vocals, guitar and bass riffs that burn into your soul and powerful drum beats, A Balance Of Power is a band to gratify your metal loving soul. A Balance Of Power is Chuck Stone (vocals), Chris Margetts (guitar), Shane Garner (guitar), Adam Fowler (bass), Marvin Dixon (drums). Check them out at ReverbNation.
Arsenic Addiction
Arsenic Addiction is another amazing band out of Salt Lake City, UT. with an unparalleled uniqueness that has garnered them an awesome following. Their stage show is an intriguing mix of melodic metal and amazing theatrics that seduces your senses. From Lady Arsenic popping out of her coffin to the duel to the death, Arsenic Addiction’s live performances are a mesmerizing site to behold and the music elicits a need for more, an addiction that is never fully satisfied.
They play continuously, to crowds of every size, every show a chance to draw you into their metal embrace. They released their newest album, "An Undertakers Lament," at the end of last year and this album is an astounding array of passion both musically and lyrically. Arsenic addiction is Lady Arsenic (vocals/keys), Plague (guitar), Ripper (lead guitar), Butcher (bass/vocals), The Professor (drums). You can check them out here.
Reaction Effect
Last but never least, we have Reaction Effect. With a mixture of hardcore and metal, they deliver awesome energy and a congruency within the band that stands out, on stage as well as in their music. Reaction Effect delivers their style of metal to the audience in a powerful and dynamic way, beguiling those in attendance into moshing their hearts out.
Reaction Effect is currently working on a new album as well as gearing up for summer shows. The band consists of Michael Scott (vocals), Austin Kennedy (guitar/vocals), Paul Marcoux (guitar), Chris Scott (drums), Sancho (bass). You can learn more at the band's Facebook page.
These bands are just a few among the diverse and resplendent Salt Lake City music scene. If you're aware of other bands in the Salt Lake City, UT underground scene that you think are amazing, please feel free to discuss them in the comments below.
Check back every Monday as we delve into a different scene or genre to unearth some new underground metal bands.
Shannon Gibbs has been photographing live music for over six years as well as interviewing, reviewing, and revering all things metal and beyond. She writes for four online magazines as well as capturing life in all its variations through her photography business. With a healthy respect for those that create and capture the essence of metal, (from national/international acts to the local Utah scene,) she hopes to expose to the world to the local metal that is so near and dear to her soul.
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10 Comments on "Unearthing The Metal Underground In Salt Lake City"
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Alright all you local metal fans!!! Get off yer butts and support our great local scene!! Otown Slayer, you are absolutely right and I consider Otown metal part of the SLC scene just as much! Metalheads unite and keep this local scene alive! Don't miss your chance to see Reaction Effect and A Balance of Power open up for Machine Head July 6th at a very intimate venue.....Club Vegas (SLC).
Blood of saints is back at practise again and the new metal there working on is goin to a whole new level. they will be back this year ,so keep an eye out for them its goin to be brutal . my self and the guys from the band will keep everyone posted via facebook , myspace ,reverbnation .. and word of mouth.
thanks see you all soon .
Member
This is pretty cool to see the Salt Lake/Ogden scene get a lil attention.
There is a really cool show going down July 9, the Mountain Fest Campout and its 8 of Ogden best bands. Us (Deathead), Davidian, Necropsy, and more.
Ogden has some really cool bands, RE Fan, I agree with ya to an extent, however from what I've seen, Ogden bands can get their fans down to SLC, however most people from the SLC won't come to Ogden for anything.
To minimize comment spam/abuse, you cannot post comments on articles over a month old. Please check the sidebar to the right or the related band pages for recent related news articles.
Don't forget about all the great Ogden bands. We have Blood of Saints, Davidian, Deathead, 13 Dark Days, Necropsy and a whole lit more.