Concert Review: Part 1 - Demon Hunter Signing, Photo Opportunity
So two weeks ago, me, my brother and a friend of mine had the privelage of attending The Triptych tour here in my home state of Arizona! And what’s even better, they choose here out of all places to have their first in-store signing at Zia Records!
So obviously the day before the concert I was really excited and nervous knowing that I’d actually be getting to meet the band in person! I ended up not being able to get the tickets until the day before the show! Luckily though, the place we called (Zia Records, the chain that was hosting Demon Hunter) had exactly THREE tickets left! Everywhere else we tried was sold out! So we raced down there and were able to snag the last three tickets! Talk about God moving already. 
So the day of the show we get down to Zia Records right around 5pm. Which was the time it was supposed to start. They were giving out free pizza so I grabbed a big slice and had my fill before going in. At first it didn’t look like many people were there. It was all very low key, and I think that was purposefully done so that fans (who could find out about the signing via www.demonhunter.net or myspace.com/demonhunter) would be the people who got to enjoy it. But once we got into the back of the store there was a sizable line already in place, and it would only grow longer the more we waited.
Zao was also there in person to do a signing of their own (seated at a table right next to Demon Hunter), but I didn’t really know them beforehand. I had heard of the band, but never listened to their music. I was there to see Demon Hunter!
In my hand I held all three Demon Hunter CD’s (self-titled, Summer of Darkness and The Triptych) and then all three CD’s burned, which I had done for a friend a few days before. I decided I’d take them as well and get the burned CD’s signed for her. While standing in line everyone was handed a Zao poster for their brand new album, The Fear Is What Keeps Us Here.
While standing in line I tried to make sure my brother Zach, who came along for the ride and decided to come in after eating pizza, had his cell phone cam ready to take pics (he’s not a fan of metal in the least and thus could care less about Demon Hunter. The poor soul). Eventually we got up to the signing table, and after having Zao sign my poster I got up to Ryan Clark! 
I was really nervous but it desippated a bit as I actually stood before them. I said hello and asked if he could sign my CDs, both the disc and the booklet, and then if he could make the burned CDs out to Jasmine. He said sure and was very nice about it. He started signing and passing the CD’s down to the other three members. It was, from right to left, Ryan Clark, Yogi, John and Ethan. Don Clark wasn’t there for the signing sadly.
So once I was in front of them, I just had to say something! I had been thinking about it before. So I told them that I had read their Q&A’s (mainly speaking to Ryan, though I was looking at Yogi too since Ryan was busy signing), which they have been doing the past few months via their myspace, and found it really interesting and fun to read. And so I asked if he remembered a question someone had asked about Demon Hunter taking old hymns or worship songs and remixing them for an upcoming album. He said ” I think I remember something like that”. So I told them that I hope they will keep it in mind and I just wanted to lend my support to that idea and I think it’s really cool and something they should consider. They seemed very open to it and Ryan mentioned how he loves old Hymns and Yogi said something about how it’s a cool idea. So I’ll keep my fingers crossed. Afterward I shook all their hands and told them thanks. And walked away with a huge smile on my face!
Ryan was really cool. Very nice and they were all polite and seemed thankful/grateful for all the fan support. I wasn’t done yet though! I realized we hadn’t gotten a pic taken, I asked my bros. if they had remembered to take a snapshot and Mike said he forgot!!!!!!!!! >_< Grrr! So I went to take a few pics, and then decided I'd wait until the crowd dissipated to see if could get a good clear shot of them.
Eventually the line got through and people started to take pictures. I knew this might be my only chance to actually get a photo of them, so instead of relying on my brothers grainy camera phone to do the job, I bravely (shy I am) asked the cute girl in front of me, with the nice digital camera, if she could perhaps do me a favor by taking a pic of me with the band. She said yes! So before the band was getting ready to leave, I was able to ask Ryan Clark myself (by the way, I went back and got my Zao poster signed by Demon Hunter as well. Sadly I had them sign the back cause I saw them doing it for someone else, instead of the front! D'oh!) if I could take a picture with the band. He told me sure and said he'd go grab the guys since they had already begun to wander around the store or perhaps leave.
So the picture was coming up and I was bound and determined to get mine! I ran outside to ask if anyone else wanted to join for the pic. Like insane people (or perhaps they simply aren't diehard fans, eh) they said no. >_< So I ran back inside and all the guys had gotten together and were ready! So there I stood . . . surrouned by the four Demon Hunter members on all sides. I was SOO excited and really, really nervous. I was so nervous I wasn't even sure how it was going to turn out and I was kind of scared to look at them, lol. I knew I definitely did not look like metal material. I pondered doing something "cool" but I quickly forgot about it and just posed as my normal self. With a huge smile on my face of course. Actually the first pic that took was too soon and I wasn't smiling! Had I not asked she wouldn't have taken another, but knowing this (and that it may be the only time ever) I asked if she could take another one! "Did you get my smile?" I asked. Thankfully obliged and did snap another photo. And thus the picture below was taken! Thank you Lena!
Ryan Clark was awesome. Very nice and polite. I’d find out later on during the actual concert that he seems to be a humble guy in general, and grateful for his fans and the success God has blessed them with. I didn’t really talk to the others, but they all seemed nice.
So after my awesome picture opportunity and getting to actually meet the band, I walked away an extremely happy camper, all six signed CD’s in my hands and the excitement of knowing that I had gotten my picture taken with them. And that was only the beginning! Tomorrow I’ll post the rest with my actual impressions of the concert itself and getting to talk further with Ryan Clark. God bless!
