Metal Fest will place top acts on one stage

By John Benson

The metal scene in Northeast Ohio is alive and well in 2009, with one of the leading acts being Youngstown band IO.

Formed less than two years ago, the sextet — Ian Pethel (vocals), Seth Kensinger (guitar), Angelo Black (guitar), Steve Stamos (bass), C.J. Wilcox (drums) and Ken Doyle (bass drops, drums, samples) — has seen an increase in fans attending its shows and taking an active interest in its music.

“We’re kind of a mix of European and American metal, going along the lines of Lamb of God and Unearth,” said Pethel, 24, a 2003 Campbell Memorial High School graduate. “We do a very different mix from what a lot of these bands do around here. We’re still heavy, but there’s a lot of melodic guitar work done and with American-style vocals. So I’d say for this area, we’re very original.”

Hmm, the band sounds a lot like nationally renowned Cleveland-based metal act Chimaira.

“Chimaira to me personally did open a lot of doors, especially in this area,” Pethel said. “Being from Cleveland, they’re really big around here. We all listened to them a lot growing up, and they became a big influence to us because they’re another band that does the American- and European-style metal.”

Originally conceived as a side project for Pethel of Secondhand Suicide and Kensinger of Erin’s Vineyard, IO has gone through a few different member changes before finding its current lineup. This includes the recent addition of Prairie Dog Parade member and sampler Doyle.

“We’re definitely evolving a lot as musicians,” Pethel said. “Every day we get a better feel for each other and what we can do. So the music just gets better and better as we go along. The band at the beginning was more of a mix of other area groups. We all just kind of did shows with our separate bands. Then when we got together and started writing, we realized how good of music we started to make. So it has just become the main focus for all of us.”

There is talk of releasing a debut EP later this year. Among the band members’ favorite new tracks is “Extinction Undenied,” which highlights the band’s knack for crafting melodic, catchy guitar riffs with more American-style drums and vocals. Pethel said the band will be playing the tune during its set at the NE-OH Metal Fest on Saturday at the Icehouse Entertainment Complex in Austintown. A stage will be set up outdoors behind the Icehouse, which is off Route 46 near Mineral Ridge, for the daylong music festival.

Pethel is optimistic this is just the type of event needed to attract attention to the region’s metal scene. Among the bands scheduled to play are IO, Gingerspittz, Thunderrider, Noetic, Prairie Dog Parade, Out with the Octopus, Aldous, Kill the Limbo, Forever We Stand, Raise the Cannon, Strung Theoretic and Catalepsy.

“This has been talked about for the past couple of years, and we just haven’t been able to get it going,” Pethel said. “So this is the first year. I think it’s a great thing for the area, and it’s great for all of us metal bands who kind of sit in the dark around here sometimes. So it’s nice to have a day where we can get out there, get a lot of people out there and play our music for everybody.”

He added, “I think it’s going to have a great turnout. The promotions are good and there are a lot of really good bands in the lineup. We’re trying to get people from Cleveland and Akron to come out to this. And even if you’re not a fan of metal, you can come out to the show and have a blast. I think it’s going to be a great atmosphere, and everybody is going to have a good time. You’ve got food. You’ve got alcohol. It’s going to be more of a big party where everybody can just party and enjoy themselves for a day.”