Despite existing as a clandestine recording project since 2014, Deathwhite’s first ever concert appearance occurred the other night at The Funhouse, Mr. Small’s of Milvale’s club-within-a-club, and what a brooding statement of intent it was. A quintet made up of ominous, hooded, mysterious, nameless figures took the stage, their brand of “dark metal” consisting of a brew of melodic and gothic-tinged genres. Bands such as Katatonia, Anathema. Evergrey, Green Carnation, and Nevermore came to mind as the depressive riffing and sonorous vocals evoked decay, loss, and change, much like the season in which the act chose to emerge. Based on their pristine performance and offbeat style and image, it could be said that Deathwhite are poised to become one of the more compelling live bands in Pittsburgh’s thrash/black/death-centric metal scene.
Argus are a band I’ve seen three times already this year, and as usual, they failed to let anyone down as headliners, their cunning, NWOBHM-flavored, “epic” doom metal proving worthy of overseas festivals 50,000 strong. Far sharper than those recently split hipster darlings known as The Sword, Argus effortlessly and tightly and commandingly brought forth roaring vocals, twin leads, galloping riffage, and anvil-heavy sounds flooded the night air as if they were Iron Maiden and Candlemass forged into one entity.
Once again, Pittsburgh slowly outed its secret as a haven for new and exciting metal acts, all in the midst of far bigger shows happening the same evening.