Eight Gigs: Holy Grail

If you're craving some straight-up heavy metal without having to see yet another NWOBHM cover band, we've got some good news for you: Holy Grail works from a classic backbone of fantasy vocals and driving riffs while adding touches of modern influence. The band sounds a hell of a lot like City of Evil-era Avenged Sevenfold, but with more emphasis on death metal shredding and slamming breakdowns. Plus, unlike listening to Avenged Sevenfold, you don't immediately get the urge to hunt down and punch every band member in the face. Cryptic Ruins and local bands Helion Prime and Discordia open. 1517 21st Street, http://holygrailofficial.com.