The Adrenaline Sports bar and Grill and AREA702 presents brought one of the most anticipated shows of the year, Evergrey with guests Seven Kingdoms, Need and Ascendia. The first band to hit the stage was Ascendia, a progressive power metal band from Toronto, Canada, led by front man Nick Sakal. Early in their set the band covered Dio's "Holy Diver" to the delight of the crowd, and was a good opening band on this very strange night. Next was the band Need from Athens, Greece, who just released heir new CD Hegaiamas: A song for Freedom. Need is another progressive metal band fronted by singer John V, who at times twitched around onstage like a young Joe Cocker. This band really set the tome for what was yet to come.
Ascendia Photos: Harold Mountain/JustAFanPhoto
Need Photos: Harold Mountain/JustAFanPhotos
Seven Kingdoms took the next turn on the stage, this is a power metal band from DeLand, Florida featuring a husband and wife duo, Sabrina Valentine and Camden Cruz, who also serves as the tour manager. Sabrina Valentine is a tiny singer with a powerful voice that helped change the bands current sound. One of the highlights of their set was "Kingslayer" from their recent video release.
Seven Kingdoms Photos: Harold Mountain/JustAFanPhotos
Finally it was time for the long anticipated return of Evergrey to the Las Vegas stage, a progressive metal band from Gothenburg, Sweden. On this night 2 members of the band were fighting a slight case of the flu, but as the true professionals they are Evergrey played their entire 90 minute set that included a 4 song encore, a set that included songs from their 20+ year career. Singer Tom Englund is an imposing singer, standing well over 6ft tall, who shows such passion and emotion with each and every song. This is one of the best bands I have ever seen in a smaller venue, and it baffles me as how they are not playing arenas. Evergrey's sound is larger than life, and as a unit the band is very tight and polished. Around 1:30 am the show came to a close, and the fans were still on their feet, would of listened to them play all night if they could. Another memorable evening at the Adrenaline Bar as the fans exited out to the cool desert air of Las Vegas.
Evergrey Photos: Harold Mountain/JustAFanPhotos