Doom merchants: If you ask any local talent buyer what days are hardest to draw crowds, chances are nine out of 10 of them will say it’s Sunday or Wednesday. Last Wednesday broke tradition.
Local bands Church and Will Haven supported the Eugene, Ore.-based Yob at the Press Club, and the place was at capacity from beginning to end, with nearly 200 in attendance.
Doom metal merchants Church kicked things off at 9 p.m. sharp and opened with “Dawning,” a near 15-minute opus, followed by just one more, equally lengthy song, the brand new “Stargazer.” During the band’s ferocious set, guitarist Chris Somel held court in front of his amp churning out some of the nastiest, down-tuned riffs heard in ages. Singer Eva Holland stood center stage and moved from haunting, tragic melodies to hate-filled, vitriolic screams as Church trudged along at a snail’s pace.
And while the band only formed during the cold winter of 2013, it has already landed many coveted slots opening for bands such as Dispirit, Jucifer, Eyehategod, the Atlas Moth, Black Cobra and more. Check out churchband.blogspot.com for more shows.
Meanwhile, longtime locals Will Haven were handpicked by Yob’s singer and guitarist Mike Scheidt to play the night’s show; the band performed a spirited set of older and newer tunes. Even original drummer Wayne Morse and the band’s second singer, Jeff Jaworski, made it out for the band’s all-too-rare appearance.
The band—which has been on the scene since the mid-’90s—sounded better than ever. Guitarist and bandleader Jeff Irwin still delivered up some of the most heady, nauseating riffs, and guitarist Anthony Paganelli perfectly complemented and juxtaposed his oft-repeating lines. Once more, the rhythm section of drummer Mitch Wheeler and bassist Chris Fehn was locked and loaded from start to finish. Singer Grady Avenell, who returned to the band years ago after a lengthy absence, still sounded as good if not better than he did on Will Haven’s self-titled debut 1996 EP.
The band recently signed to Artery Recordings and will release a new EP, Open The Mind To Discomfort, on May 19 before embarking on yet another headlining tour. Stay tuned at www.facebook.com/willhavenband.
(SN&R)