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From the human condition to zombies at the Parksville Legion

Metal band Fear of the Valley’s message is one of persistence
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Metal band Fear of the Valley is at the Parksville Legion Saturday

If you are a metal head, the Parksville Legion is the place to be on Saturday, June 16.

Local metal band Fear of the Valley will be bringing their massive sound to the Legion stage for a performance geared towards a younger audience.

While most people associate the genre of music with guys on stage screaming and creating random noise, there is a strong following for the non-mainstream sound and an appreciation for the complexities of the music.

Thirty-eight-year-old Aaron McKenzie, who plays bass and sings with the Parksville-based band, said they have a small following in the community and the folks at the Legion in Parksville have asked them to do a metal night every third Saturday of the month.

He said they have lined up some bands from Nanaimo to join them in July and August and if there are any other local rock bands that are interested in joining them they welcome them.

McKenzie, along with Owen Neill-St. Clair on guitar and vocals and Lee Evernden on drums and vocals, have been fusing metal grunge and punk into a distinctive sound since 2009.

The trio have performed at the Legion in the past and McKenzie emphasized that just because they are a metal band doesn’t mean they paint their faces and get out of control on stage.

“It is nothing crazy. It is loud music but everyone is respectful,” he assured.

Most metal bands aren’t into covers … they write their own music and while the lyrics and themes are about experiences other genres don’t dare touch, including death, they are not intended to be taken literally.

McKenzie said their song called Watch More TV is a satirical look on TV and the media.

“It’s about getting the dumbed down version of information … where more people are attracted to the circus in the news.”

From the human condition to zombies, Fear of the Valley’s message is one of persistence.

McKenzie said everyone in the group is involved in the song writing process and each of them brings their own style to the group.

“Lee loves The Specials.  You can hear it in his drumming.  He really likes the little fast punk beats.”

The group’s influences include: Nirvana, Sepultura, Slayer, Pantera, Death, Cradle, NIN, The Locust, In Flames, System, KMFDM, Leftover Crack, Converge, The Dead Kennedys, Children of Bodom, Blind Guardian, early Metallica, Bury Your Dead, Iron Maiden, Ninja Spy, The Specials, The Pixies, Pigeon, Refused, At The Drive In, Slipknot and Sid Barett.

With its complicated rhythm patterns at a high speed the instrumental mastery and talent in metal music is best appreciated live.

You can catch Fear of the Valley Saturday, June 16 starting at 8 p.m. at the Parksville Legion.  Tickets are $5 at the door.

If you are a local band and want to join the group at the legion contact fearofthevalley@hotmail.com.