Heavy metal in the Okanagan
by Deanne Deschatelets

Heavy metal and hard rock are usually a man’s game, but women have made their own mark with power, grace, beauty and pure guts.

Helcion, from the Okanagan area, is a four-piece heavy-melodic band dedicated to providing a fresh original perspective to the modern genre of female-fronted symphonic/heavy metal. They have a blend of melody and heaviness that captures one’s attention, making you want to get up and move.

Formed in late 2004, founders Jessica Toorenburgh on bass and vocals and Corey Ferguson on drums, joined forces with guitarist Richard Madsen. They began developing a brand of heavy music that brought together their broad musical interests and influences.

Early 2008 saw the addition of Leanne Baillie on vocals, capturing the vocal harmonies from the recordings and has fully brought them a sound that’s uniquely their own.

Toorenburgh is an outstanding female singer. As soon as this petite girl takes the stage, the blend of her powerful voice, hypnotic eyes and flowing sex appeal, matched with the band’s solid metal riffs and tight rhythm, quickly grabs the attention and makes for an uncompromising metal sound. To watch and listen makes for a show you will certainly want to continue to see over and over again.

And while some would expect that a metal band with a female lead might alienate metal purists, Helcion appeals to a greater range of fans. They are not a band you secretly like if you are a guy. They are liked by both men and women and have fans from all genres, even death metal.
Named Metal Group of the Year at the 2007 Okanagan Music Awards, they also garnered nominations for Producer of the Year, and Engineer of the Year with their new album, HELCION II. This win comes as no surprise since the band has been playing consistently throughout the Okanagan and the Interior of BC, expanding their audience and developing a large and very loyal following along the way.

Helcion, will play host to two unique evenings of heavy music in the Okanagan. Thursday night at the Habitat with special guests Hezzakya from Vancouver and, new up and coming Kelowna band, Bloodloss. Then on Friday night at Voodoo’s in Penticton with Hezzakya joining them again. Both are all ages shows with tickets available at the door.