In past articles I have bragged about my versatile and vast taste in music genres, in fact I usually pride myself on it.
But there is one type of music that has never captivated me like it does for others, really heavy or slasher metal. I just could never get the appeal of guys screaming and music that is loud just for the sake of being loud. This was my automatic response when I was approached by my editor to cover a big metal band heading into Brandon.

Omega Crom is a band that features “progressive power metal, and elements of aggressive death and thrash” or so described on their myspace.

Here’s the thing, I wouldn’t know the difference between any of those titles. I watched three of their videos and liked it visually but was still out of my element when it came to a musical critic or opinion.

It was at this moment that I realized I knew someone who could help me out, my boyfriend. He is an accomplished bass player around town and a not so secret fan of music that is LOUD, not to mention he spent the better part of the ‘90s looking like James Hetfield of Metallica.

After he spent sometime on the bands webpage he told me “this music is kinda good”, his diplomatic way of saying “I love this band and you are a crazy person for not loving them too”. He went on to describe the musicianship of Omega Crom. “The rhythms are very tight and intricate, the band does a very good job holding everything together especially during the change-ups. The musical is can get very technical but the band does an excellent job keeping it accessible to the listener. Guitar solos are blistering very precise and done with a great deal of finesse! The vocals complement the musical delivery and never sound forced. Overall the band has a crushing sound that has a great sense of melody when it is needed. There is a lot of energy that would be very interesting to see in a live setting!”

At this point, I was both won over and a little concerned over my job as his critic was far more eloquent than I could ever phrase. So there you have it, Omega Crom has another fan to add to the list and I am sure by Aug. 6 a hoard of other Brandonites will count themselves among that number. The band will be playing an all ages show on Thursday, Aug. 5 at Parthenon Pizza and will return to Brandon to play the North Hill Inn on Aug. 20.

The band is currently on a Canadian tour that reaches as far East as Quebec and starts in their home province of B.C. Omega Crom consists of driving force and founding member Johnny Ketlo, who is the vocal talent, as well as lead and rhythm guitar. One guitar player isn’t enough for this powerful foursome, they also have original Alberta native, Wayne Holden, taking a turn on lead and rhythm guitar. Ian Wilcke takes control of the Bass and Dan La Pierre rounds the band up with his skills on drums which he mastered while growing up in Nova Scotia.

Omega Crom has a unique combination of musicians from across Canada who joined forces in Vancouver.

Although the band has gone through a few line up changes it is this powerful foursome that has experienced the most success and we will be privileged to see them tearing it up on Thursday night.

For more information visit: www.omegacrom.com