Omega Crom's lineup has been revamped, and the Vancouver-based metal band is back on the road.
Johnny Ketlo, the band's lead guitarist and vocalist, said the “ripping metal” foursome completed a cross-country tour this spring after the official release of their album Blood, Steel and Fire, which was produced by Rob “Chicken” Shallcross of Reversed Records. He said the group looks forward to travelling east again.
“We like to come out to the east because we've only been out there one time,” he said. “We've toured B.C. and Alberta many times, but we really wanted to expand and get into Quebec, Ontario and Manitoba. That's the next step for us anyway.”
Their sound, described by Ketlo as “thrash metal meets melodic death (metal) and power metal” is “a mix of a few sub genres of certain styles of metal.”
Since Ceaser Faria, a bassist from Brazil, joined guitarist Wayne Holden, drummer Dan la Pierre and Ketlo, the group is looking to make music a full-time job.
“At the end of the day, we want to make this into a career,” Ketlo said. “We want to get paid to do this. We're halfway there.”
Currently, the band's members all teach music lessons to help subsidize the band.
“That's how we get money right now to do what we have to do,” he said. “Hopefully one day, it'll be music that's making the money for us.”
Ketlo said after a west-coast tour dipping into Los Angeles, the band would like to expand and tour Europe, Japan and Brazil.
“That's kind of our ultimate end,” Ketlo said.
On Aug. 9, Omega Crom is playing at the Serbian Centre with Hallows Die and Rotting Remains. Tickets to the all-ages show cost $10, and are available at the door. The show is set to begin at 8 p.m.
Ketlo, who said “it's hard to describe music,” encourages people to come hear them play.
“Come out to the show, have some fun with us, rock out with us,” he said. “It'll be cool.”
For more information, visit www.omegacrom.com.
