By Rob Fulton
©Copyright 2024 SDAM.com/Rob Fulton

Mission Beach – The moment I walked in I could feel the adrenaline inside of 'Canes that night. Things had gotten off to a late start but nobody cared, except maybe the bands. Space was confined from construction and the black & steel backdrop was feeding illusion. I wasn't around to see the first band, but I could tell that the crowd was thirsty for something heavy. Out walks Mark, Matt, Mike and Juice. By the looks of the four I could sense they were just what the doctor ordered for the metal junkies. VIII Fraud toyed with their audience, warming up with chest pounding riffs and quick progressions.  Expecting the undertaker to come grab the mic, out walks Jenn. Five-six, in her youth, and raw. She comes out long enough to give her audience love and the band explodes. Short in size but not in soul this girl reached deep down to follow the band into a Tool'esque display of power and speed. But that's not all they were about though. Changing pace often, you could tell that these five go back for their influences. If I closed my eyes, I could swear I was at a Rush conert, minus the metal. Mike set the pace on the drums, while Matt killed it on the bass. Mark held the rythm and Juice lead the show. Full of energy, Jenn danced, kicked and sang her way into the spotlight, proving everyone wrong who thought that a girl couldn't do metal. Even the guy in the back with the Hawaiian T-shirt on was rocking his head. It's been a while since I've seen local bands fill up Canes on a wednesday night and it was definately good to see. For more info on VII Fraud, check out their Web site.