by Jeremie Fincher

You're in for a double dose, today. Metal is on the menu for Part Two of Anchorage Night Out's Valentine's Day Double Feature. DECEPTICIDE is Anchorage's tightest metal band with the most loyal following. The core of the band, having survived a move to Philadelphia and back, are a family unit - like brothers. This dark, brooding metal comes from a solid but kindhearted group of friends, and you'd never know it to look at them. These guys ooze metal.

Adam Hafer and Enzo Montana met while attending Dimond High School, and met Brian Harris through his brother, who also attended Dimond. They played in a band called Murder is Justice for over two years. They had problems with their vocalist, so they started branching out and looking for new guys. Enter Ryan Hull: "I met Enzo at a show at the Paddleboat Cafe. We hung out for a whole weekend, and ended up clicking. I pretty much just kept showing up to practice till they let me be their vocalist."

Brian interjects, "It was pretty much love at first sight."

Enzo explained, "This was like, late 2007, we were thinking about breaking up the band, but not really, maybe just getting a new vocalist. That's when I met Ryan. We started doing auditions and Ryan ended up being the best guy for the band. So it was really 2008 when the band started as Decepticide, all new songs."

Ryan started his musical career as a guitar player, but says he was 'ninja-ed' into being a frontman for a previous band, but it worked out really well. "Apparently I'm supposed to scream at people." The first two albums from Slipknot (Corey Taylor) and Lamb Of God are Hull's primary influences.

Everyone in Decepticide, in it's current state, is born and raised Alaskan, except Enzo Montana, who is from Colombia. He's lived in Alaska for 11 years, now. He's played guitar since his Sophomore year in high school, inspired by Dimebag Darrell of Pantera, Sepultura and Slayer. Brian Harris also lists Pantera and Slayer amongst his influences. Harris met Enzo his Freshman year in high school, the year after he started playing drums. Brian is a carpenter for Taylored Restoration, and also a hunter and fisherman. He lists Gene Hoglan from Death, Dark Angel, and Testament as his favorite drummer, and adds Metallica and The Black Dahlia Murder to his lists.

The original bass player for Murder Is Justice was replaced by Clay Brackley, an ex-bandmate of Hull's. He was the primary bass guitar player until he departed for Philadelphia five months before the rest of the band. "We knew Eric Pederson from Glass Halo, so we asked him to fill in before we left, and he was the guy we went to when we came back." Eric has been the band's bassist in Alaska since Brackley left late in 2009. Pederson has played bass since 1995, he's been in Glass Halo since 2007. Search Engine and Liquid Courage are his main influences. Eric is also the only member of the band that is not a father.

Adam Hafer stayed in Alaska, declining the Pennsylvania move, as him and his wife were expecting a baby boy. Scott Meyer, a Philadelphian played rhythm guitar. Adam and his wife have another baby on the way, he's employed at Anchorage International Airport, and his favorite guitarist is Jeff Loomis from Nevermore.

I asked the boys what the highlights of their musical lives were for 2011. Out spewed a list of incredible shows that were as important to Decepticide as they were to anyone who attended them. "Summer Meltdown in the Dena'ina Center; I could speak for everyone and say that was a huge step for us. Big stage, great turnout. It was fantastic," says Ryan Hull. Enzo listed the Metal A&R Showcase and the Pantera Tribute Show, both put on by 94.7 KZND at Chilkoot Charlie's, as his favorite shows. Hull added, "November was big for us. We got KZND's Artist of the Month and 'Best Metal Band,' in the 2011 Press Picks in the same month." Decepticide would also like to mention the underage show Santa Mosh at the Downstairs as being a huge show for them in 2011.

Decepticide's plans and goals for 2012 are pretty straight forward. They plan on releasing a new EP of excellent quality, along with some new music videos. Decepticide has been selected for the Surreal Studios compilation project 'Cold and Loud,' featured in a previous ANO BAND BLOG. They will contribute one song to the mix. More can be read about that here. The biggest item on Decepticide's plate for the year of 2012 is Family Tree Presents: Lamb of God. The boys were selected to open for the world famous metal band last year. "It's like Christmas," one of the boys said. "Back in 2005 when I met Brian, he introduced me to Lamb of God. Who knew 7 years later we are gonna open for them?!" exclaimed Montana.

Ryan: "Me and Enzo met while listening to Lamb of God."

Enzo wants to play more shows outside of Anchorage in 2012, and have already started doing so. They played the Metal Mayhem Show at the Sitzmark Bar & Grill just recently, hit 'Hooligans' in Soldotna a few weeks back, and plan on touring the Fairbanks scene this summer.

Decepticide has a few shows coming up that you should catch. They are playing another Fatguy's Freakshow Tribute, this time the tribute is to the Godfathers of Metal: Black Sabbath! The show is this Friday, February 17^th at Chilkoot Charlie's. You'll see a few of their original songs, but they'll also be playing three Sabbath tunes! Come to the show to find out which songs they play! Bolt Action Beaver and Unseen Empire will also be playing originals, plus paying tribute to the almighty Sabbath, but there will be two tribute bands comprised of local talent, playing nothing but Sabbath! Get there early! Music starts at 9 PM.

Chilkoot Charlie's is also the spot for the Lamb of God Pre-party on March 4^th, , and get your tickets now, before they run out, for the great Lamb of God on March 9^th (Get your tickets HERE).  Enzo's Birthday Party show on March 16^th at the Carousel Lounge will be a heyday no metal fan will want to miss.

Anchorage Night Out would like to that Joel Adams Photography for his work with DECEPTICIDE!  These shots look great!

Jeremie plays bass guitar in Anchorage rock band Robots Helping Clones and is an Assistant Editor at Anchorage Night Out. You can reach him at bands@anchoragenightout.com.

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