Metal band makes some noise

Page 4

In the rapidly growing metal underground in Prince Albert, one band is making strides in a huge way.

Formed in 2003, Cessate is a five piece wrecking ball of energy. The chemistry and talent of this group is only surpassed by what each individual member brings to the band. Guitarists Justin Bender and Chad Mahberg deliver their ear-splitting and distorted chords with such power that the listener can feel it in their chest. The bottom end supplied by Pete Dabrowicz's BC Rich bass turns each song into a tribal rite of passage.

Drummer Colin Cheechoo, known to friend and fan alike as "Cheech", brings both a strong driving beat delivered at machine-gun pace as well as, being a former guitarist for the band Breach of Trust, several years of touring experience. All of this is topped off by the vocals of Harley Kowalsky, whose range goes from a deep primal grumble to a shriek that can only be compared to that of a panther or jaguar in the wild.

Their stage show is a bone-rattling trip that needs to be experienced. The mosh pit at a Cessate gig is a chaotic tempest that only the brave and the foolish should try. One wonders what these guys could do with a bigger budget.

The Cessate doesn't feel comfortable with calling themselves "death metal," although they cite major label death metal bands Opeth and Meshuggah as influences.

"We don't like being pigeon-holed," said lead singer Harley Kowalsky. "If we're anything, we're probably 'non-conformist.'"

The metal community in Prince Albert is a tight-knit one, with the bands jamming together and hanging out.

"The metal bands (in Prince Albert) are really close," Justin Bender pointed out. "We hang around with the guys in (local metal band) Dead Like God all the time."

This spirit of camaraderie is an integral part of the death metal community, for those in a metal band in this community are fighting an uphill battle. In a society where a large chunk of the youth listen to rap and hip-hop, the chance for a metal group to make a name for themselves in the press is quite difficult, as was evident at the 2005 Battle of the Bands on the Muskoday First Nation, where the press that was on hand seemed to have zeroed in on one particular hip-hop artist.

"(In newspaper articles), they mentioned that there were other bands there, but then most of the rest of the article was about (Muskoday hip-hop artist) Eekwol. I mean, it was cool for her and all, and I'm glad for her, but that's how it goes," Kowalsky said.

But Kowalsky, who is also from Muskoday, was quick to mention that attendance at metal shows is not meager by any means.

"We usually get about 200 or so kids that come out to the shows. That's more than the rap shows pull in."

If there was any doubt about whether these guys are serious about their craft, a look at their accomplishments will quell any naysayer. Included among those accomplishments is Shattered Hopes, the album the band released in August 2005.

"We worked hard on this album," said Bender. "It was released independently and it was self produced and self financed."

The album was recorded at Built Low Studios, Bender's home studio in Prince Albert, and the unique cover art was created by German/Polish graphic artist Konrad Wryemski.

"We've created something really cool," said Bender. The album was among the top 5 albums in Prince Albert, and units have been moving nicely.

The Cessate boys have also launched their own Web site, www.cessate.net, where Cessate merchandise is available for purchase, along with a message board where fans can meet and chat.

Cessate has played in several venues across western Canada, and they garnered themselves the opening act slot for metallers Vader when they rolled through Saskatoon recently.

All in all, the members of Cessate have few complaints about the ways things are going, save for a lack of local venues. If anything, in spite of the dark imagery of their music, these guys are doing something they love, and the are having fun.

"In five years time, I still want to be doing this," said Pete Dabrowicz. "On a much bigger scale, of course."

As for advice the members of Cessate want to pass on to those who are interested in following in their footsteps?

" If you're serious, save up the money and make sure that your sound is tight before going into the studio. Those things cost a fortune, so be sure you are doing good quality work," Bender said.

"Have fun and love what you're doing," added Kowalsky.

And advice from Dabrowicz? "Always be sure that your bass player is out of the bathroom and in the car before leaving the gas station."

Three chords into their first song at a recent rehearsal, one of the band's amplifiers exploded, shooting a small blue flame and a puff of smoke into the air. If Cessate has that much intensity during rehearsal, it should go without saying that the stage show is something else.