Edmonton power trio/ jam rock/ stoner rock Black Mastiff made a long awaited return to the Owl Acoustic lounge, enjoying the big new stage and impeccable sound, Saturday, Nov. 20.
I missed most of Face Cut’s opening set.
Black Mastiff, Guitarist/vocalist Bobby Yiannakoulias, drummer Alan Harding and bassist Clay Shea sounded like a massive mix of Queens Of the Stone Age, Govt. Mule and had an obvious nod to Black Sabbath.
So that meant there were a plethora of huge guitar riffs, plodding thunderous bass and drumming that was out of sight.
The drummer Alan Harding was front and centre and putting on a show.
While Yiannakoulias was hidden behind a giant glowing green pyramid on the left side of the stage, Shea was hidden in the shadows on another glowing green pyramid on the opposite side of the stage.
Shea howled background vocals while Yiannakoulias sang lead, hitting Josh Homme high notes.
A mini mosh pit started early on on the set, but quickly dissipated, but fans happily danced and shook their heads.
The sound was perfect, though loud. yYou could hear every note in every corner of the room.
There wasn't much dialogue with the audience, though Shea announced one of the closing numbers as a song abut taking a rocket ship through space.
“Everywhere We Go Was a highlight.”
They ended with a couple slower songs that were very much Govt. Mulesque.
— By Richard Amery, L.A. Beat Editor