Heroic Deeds reinvented at FVHS

By Tammy Van, managing editor
Monday, January 29, 2007

Heavy metal and punk rock has never meshed so well in a duo. With a sound as edgy as their band name, Ex-Paladin made themselves known at FVHS.

Last Friday, the power duo performed songs from their upcoming, independent release, Songs of Heroic Deeds. The band is currently promoting their music in Los Angeles and Orange County through live shows, which made FVHS one of their stops before the album debuts.

Pieter’s crisp guitar riffs and Annelie’s audacity on the drums fuse together for a fierce, overall sound. The sound behind “Without a Face” is raw and fast-paced, making for a rhythmic adrenaline rush, built up by the instrumental intro of “Wall of Silence.” And though the tempo is slightly slower, the performance remains dynamic without overpowering the vocals.

Ex-Paladin said in an interview with the Wired Baron that major influences to their music are bands like The Doors and System of a Down. Their lyrics and band name derive from the idea that an individual can redefine heroism by stripping away old principles. With these qualities, Ex-Paladin maintain their distinctness from other rock groups.

When it comes to a familiar sound with a unique background, Ex-Paladin nails it down. Most students didn't know who Ex-Paladin were before the performance, but Ex-Paladin certainly walked from the gates of FVHS knowing they had won over a good amount of fans.