Third-Degree Thrash: Powderburn set to scorch La Villa Real

Fans will have the opportunity to preview the songs on Powderburn's upcoming release, Echoed in Red when the band opens the Jagermeister tour for headliners Staind on Thursday at La Villa Real Special Events Center.

Along with tracks from their new CD, Powderburn will also prowl the stage with favorites from their two previous CDs, said Manny Escamilla, the band's manager. Members of the band describe their music as "the offspring of an unholy union between Guns ‘N' Roses, Metallica and the Olsen Twins."

"Our sound pretty much comes from the fact that the four of us are into different things. We somehow meet in the middle," said drummer Patrick Swift.

Swift said that since the four members are influenced by different music, each of their interests is pulled into their music.

"We don't settle. We don't stick to any one genre," Swift said.

And that's one of the reasons their fans love them.

"They're metal and they're hard rock," said fan Ruben Gallegos of McAllen, 20. Gallegos sees this concert as an opportunity for the Austin-based band.

"Hopefully, the crowd will dig them and there will be a lot of new fans," he said.

Gallegos said he has been a fan of the band for a number of years, and that even though the band is based in Austin it has a large fan base in the Valley.

"What separates them from any ' band in the Valley is that they are very serious about their music. They have an awesome lighting show. When they take the stage it's real serious. They have a very, very awesome stage show," he said.

But what has held the four band members together is their friendship. "Pretty much no matter what happens, everyone in this band is there for each other," Swift said.

The band formed in Oct. 1998 in guitarist Josh Klayman's apartment. Since then, guitarist Ken Lockman of New Jersey, bassist Greg Enkler and Swift of New York, have been entertaining audiences and recording records. The band released their first full-length debut CD in 2000 and another in 2003.

The band said they are really excited to play again in the Rio Grande Valley. "They are incredible fans - so into it," Swift said. He added that the first time he played in with the band was at a concert in the Valley.

"They made me feel like the biggest rock star in the universe. I loved that. I will always love playing in the Valley," he said.

The band says it will return to the Valley at least once every two months, Swift said.

"These fans are our lifeblood - love every single one of them. They aren't just are fans, they're our friends," he said.

Swift said he frequently e-mails with fans in the area and as far away as Finland. "We make is a point to be as inclusive as possible," he said.

Roland Soto, 20, of McAllen said he became a fan of the band when his band Metal Storm was asked to open for them.

"We researched the band, and we really liked what we were hearing," he said.
Soto said the band mixes lots of "side genres" into its heavy metal. And in their singing the band also mixes it up so that each person has a chance at the mic.

"What I really like about Powderburn is that vocally, they all work together. (They) mix it up so you hear different vocals. I'm hoping that it's starting to become a trend in other bands," he said.

The CD package will include six news songs and a DVD with two music videos, interviews with the band and behind the scenes footage. "It gives a peek into our lives," said Swift. The band expects Echoed in Red to be released in May.

SOURCE: The Monitor