A scourge has been released upon the land, right here in Santa Cruz, and it’s not the hordes of new graduates. This scourge is of a mythical kind, unleashing a brutal onslaught of epic proportions while raining crunchy heavy metal upon its unsuspecting victims. It fills music halls with ghastly sights and sounds as human legions scream for more fake blood. With battle weapons in one hand, instruments in the other, and tusks—yes, tusks—sharpened, this plague is known as A Band of Orcs.
Formed in December 2006, the Orcs were first summoned into our realm by a group of Santa Cruz nerds playing Dungeons & Dragons. Of course, the nerds were slain. But not before the Orcs heard the tasty sound of metal music blasting from nearby speakers. Enchanted, the Orcs knew they must learn the secret to this new magic as Gogog Bloodthroat took vocals, Hulg Elfr.i.p.per and Cretos Filthgrinder picked up guitars, the thunderous Oog Skullbasher smashed away on drums and Gronk! alternated between bass guitar and shamanism. Asked what it was like learning the ways of metal from mortals, Gronk! replies gruffly, “It like when great dragon must tolerate existence of annoying gnome, ‘cause gnome know where treasure is. After find treasure, kill gnome!”
And kill gnomes the band has. Since its not-so humble beginning, A Band of Orcs has been on the warpath (and in character) blowing the minds of “puny humans” wherever it goes. In 2007, the band released its first EP Warchiefs of the Apocalypse, catching the attention of Iron Maiden guitarist Bruce Dickinson, who played the song “Bring Out Your Dead” on his BBC television show later that year. Then, in 2008, Fuse TV launched its On-Demand service with a month-long showing of the Orcs’ video “Into The Maelstrom.”
Currently, A Band of Orcs is getting ready to hit the studio once more, later this year, with a release date of 2012. “Just like prophecies of Domination say,” explains Gronk! And while the Apocalypse hasn’t happened yet, the new album will be so ruthlessly savage, he claims, that the “great dragon god Gzoroth will awaken and cleanse this realm with fire” due to the many hordes of moshing headbangers. Until then, the Orcs are cleaning their armor and sharpening their axes once more as they prepare for battle at the Catalyst against fellow metal heads Warbringer, Hatchet, Witchhaven and Exmortus. Just another day for A Band of Orcs, who live by the ancient warrior code: “Go on many raids, play many shows, take home spoils of war!”
A Band of Orcs
Friday, 8:30pm (16+)
Catalyst Atrium, 1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz
$10 advance/$12 door
