Hooker Spit Bring ‘Back For Blood Tour To Lethbridge w/ Fall Of Earth, Omniesia, and Nox Solaris

When you think of Red Deer, Alberta, death metal probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. But if you were at The Owl Acoustic Lounge for the Hooker Spit Back For Blood tour stop, that perspective might’ve shifted.

Nox Solaris – 2nd Time Openers With Veteran Confidence

The night opened with local newcomers Nox Solaris. This was my second time seeing this talented group. Both times they were the opening act, and just like the first time, they blew me away. To be clear though, with their current set list, this isn’t a band that will have you in the pit. This is a band that will have you paying close attention, listening. Like a siren song, each of their musical arrangements is composed in a way that pulls you in deep. Both of their vocalists capture your attention, with cleans from their lead singer and harsh gutturals from their rhythm guitarist. The songs are rich, layered mid-tempo tracks with bursts of heavy brutality.

There was something different about Nox Solaris on this night though. A stronger sense of unity, more confidence. They were more active on stage. While they mostly kept to their own areas, they weren’t just standing and playing. There was interaction, more presence. Her confidence this time around elevated the entire performance. Arguably even stronger than when I saw them open the 1st Annual Death & Decay Metal Festival. Keep an eye on this band. If you get the chance to experience their unique sound, don’t pass it up.

Omniesia Prog-Metal Supergroup

On stage, they looked like a 90s metal supergroup made up of members from four different genres. Their sound was anything but mismatched. As I mentioned in my review of Kelevra, you know when a Kiesel guitar shows up, you’re in for a display of musical talent. Omniesia’s rhythm guitarist and vocalist proved that point again. And the bass player? First time I’ve seen a six-string bass used live. The thing stood out like an orange firefly. Not a bad thing, especially for a bassist since they often blend into the background. I definitely made sure he got plenty of camera time.

I love this band’s sound. Heavy and melodic, with well-composed songs on the level of Opeth or Born of Osiris. Deep, complex songwriting that still hits that primal need for something hard-hitting without crossing into overly theatrical territory. Their vocalist had impressive range, from medium-tone gutturals to a visceral screamo style, all blended with intent. Everyone in the band was strong, but the standout for me was the drummer. Even when listening to their album a few weeks back, I was already impressed. Perfect fills, influences pulled from other genres, and just the right dose of blast beats and double kicks to satisfy any metalhead. Another band I’ll be watching closely.

Hooker Spit – Family Friendly Melodic Death Metal?

I usually keep the headliner for last in these write-ups, but this night was different. Hooker Spit played second to last, and I was told it was so the younger crowd could still catch their set. Kinda strange, given the band’s name and lyrical themes. Even the lead singer mentioned he was surprised they were playing an all ages show. I’m hoping to line up an interview soon and will be sure to bring that up.

I found this melodic death metal group while perusing the Encyclopedia Metallum country listings for Canada. I loved their sound right from the first riff. Don’t let the name fool you, it’s not your typical death metal branding, but these guys are the real deal. Call of the Void, their final track of the set, grabbed my attention immediately. With songs like Dry Fisted, Krötch Splitter, and Corpse Grinder, you get a pretty good idea of the experience you’re in for.

Their frontman, Daniel White, who gradually lost layers of clothing as the set went on (don’t worry, it only went down to shirtless), was the perfect frontman for this filth filled set. I use that term in the most positive way possible. Musically, these guys know their melodic death metal. The set was exactly what I was hoping for: a mix of ear-shredding riffs, guttural vocals combined with demon shriek vocals, and a steady barrage of drums that shook the walls.

Fall Of Earth – Not Black Label Prog-Metal, Just Damn Good Prog-Metal

Progressive metal at its best. No excessive backing tracks, no obscure instruments, just well-crafted metal with shifting styles and intensity. Clean and distorted guitars, mid-tempo riffs broken by bursts of rapid chugging. A distinct sound that never got lost in itself.

While their music sits in a different sub-genre, I couldn’t help but see a bit of a young Zakk Wylde in guitarist Brody Bauer. His stage presence, movements, and playing took me back to the early Ozzy years. Something I never got to see in person, but Brody kind of took me there last night. And the drummer, Brendan Meilleur, was another standout. Don’t let his size fool you—he hit like a freight train and played with machine-like precision.

I know a band isn’t just two people, so I’ve got to mention the rest. The lead vocalist had range, with cleans that weren’t forced or too operatic and harsh vocals that landed with weight. The bassist held everything together with tone and timing that filled out the low end exactly how it should. Not flashy, not buried, just the kind of presence that makes a great live mix hit harder.

Final Thoughts

This show didn’t need big production or massive crowds to deliver. Every band brought something to the night, even if there were only a few moments that truly stood out. The vibe was good, the musicianship solid, and I left glad I showed up. Sometimes that’s more than enough.