Richmond, VA – I’ve been following Unleash the Archers for some time. I caught them for the first time at the 2023 Mad With Power Fest in Madison, WI and was looking forward to seeing them again if they ever made it to Richmond. My prayers were answered, as on September 11, 2024, they took a brief hiatus from their tour with Powerwolf and brought pure Canadian power metal to an enthusiastic crowd at the Canal Club.
It was made quite clear when Nick Miller (Bass), Andrew Kingsley (guitar), Grant Truesdell (guitar), and Scott Buchanan (drums) took the stage was it was going to be a fun and energetic night. With hands in the air, horns a-waving, the audience greeted them as only a metal audience can do. After a short instrumental intro, Brittney Slayes (power vocals) made her appearance, kicking off the set with “Abyss“, the title track from their 2020 album. The metal salvo from our neighbors to the north had begun!
Without missing a beat, they transitioned into another powerful vocal “Soulbound” followed by “Ghosts in the Mist” from their new album, Phantoma. Check out the video, it was filmed at Mad With Power VI. Feel the power!
They followed with 2 more from the new album, including “Green & Glass” and “Gods in Decay“. Those who had never seen them live were now very aware of how Brittney and the band can whip a room into a frenzy!! Power vocals and chords were tearing down the Canal Club.
Up next was “Awakening“, (the opening shriek is second to none), which I believe was my first exposure to the band back in 2020 in a reaction video by the Charismatic Voice (I was hooked). “The Matriarch“, “Tonight We Ride“, and “Apex” followed before going into the final song of the main set.
If you have never heard “Northwest Passage“, it is an awesome metal cover of a Stan Rogers’ folk song about journeys, past and present, through… the “Northwest Passage to the sea” . This has become an iconic Archers’ tune and Brittney leading a sea of flowing hands paid homage to the memory of Rogers. It was awesome!!
The encore consisted of “Carry the Flame” and “Afterlife“. Brittney and the band whipped the crowd into a metal frenzy before their drives home. What a night.
As the crowd was heading out of the club, I had the chance to talk to a few. Some had driven great distances for the chance to see the band. The Archers brought Richmond a Canadian metal treat. All were leaving energized and in awe. The Archers’ metal salvo had been on target. They only have a couple more stops on their tour with Powerwolf. If you get a chance, be sure to catch them. For those on the European side of the world, you will be able to catch them early in 2025!
Unleash the Archers Gallery
Want more? Check out, “Blood Empress“
Unleash the Archers Setlist
Abyss
Soulbound
Ghosts in the Mist
Green & Glass
Gods in Decay
Awakening
The Matriarch
Tonight We Ride
Apex
Northwest Passage
Encore:
Carry the Flame
Afterlife
