Frozen farewell

One of the highlights of the local music scene a few years ago was heavy post-rockers Alaskan. The last time I caught them live was back in 2013 at the Dominion Tavern; they released an album earlier in 2014 (Despair, Erosion, Loss) and that was the last I heard of them until they decided to call it a day. They played a trio of shows, starting in Toronto, heading to Montreal then back to Ottawa for one final hurrah, sharing a stage with Swarm of Spheres, Biipiigwan and New York's Black Table. Swarm of Spheres started things up just as I was sitting down to an order of perogies, so I only got to shoot for their last couple of songs. Here's Mark on drums!



Guitar action with Jay!



Bass action with Andrew!



Extra Jay!



Mark confronts his snare drum!


This was my first encounter with Black Table; they fit in quite well with Alaskan's esthetic, bringing some blackened touches, post rock and experimental metal sounds to the stage. Here's guitarist DJ Scully (and a fuzzy drummer Mike Kadnar in the background).



Mike hits!



Since bassist DJ Scully was in constant motion, most of my photos of him look like this:



Guitar action with vocalist Mers Sumida!



Extra Scully!



More Mers!



Mike hits some more!



Mers sings!



DJ sings!



Extra Ryan!



Tapping shirtless action!



Last time I saw Biipiigwan was at the late, lamented Daily Grind; as always there's been a bit of a lineup switch since then. Here's mainstay Musky shouting a bit - he's switched over to bass.



Guitar action with Matt!



Mark hits!



Close-up action!



Mark sings!



Sean sings!



And so on!



Alaskan played a fine set; it wasn't the classic lineup; Deniz, Gary's partner in They Grieve, manned the kit. Here's Cory, filling out the trio on bass.



Gary sings!



Shirtless action with Deniz!



Extra Gary!



A shouty bit!



Deniz hits!



And so on!



The show was also a benefit for The Ottawa Coalition to End Violence Against Women and raised $500 for the cause.