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THEBACHA/FORT SMITH - Sounds of metal music like Metallica, Kiss and AC/DC are not the usual genre heard at Yellowknife's annual Folk on the Rocks music festival.

This year included a healthy helping of hard rock courtesy of Fort Smith band State of the Art. The leather clad, four-piece group isn't too happy about the metal head label.

"You can't help but get sucked into that label," said Jamie Chabun, drummer for State of the Art. He and Aaron Kikoak, guitar and vocals; Brandon Kikoak, guitar and vocals; and Craig Allard, bass; together make up the powerful group.

Playing a combination of cover songs and original material, the group was able to get many off their seats and thrashing around on the dance floor during their performances over the weekend.

The band previously played Folk in 2002 when they were known as Mother Divine.

"A lot of fans still don't make that connection," said Chabun.

The name State of the Art, he said, is part of the band's desire to showcase its musical prowess and hopefully follow in the footsteps of their heavy metal heroes. AC/DC and Deep Purple top that list of influences.

"Fans went to them for that state of the art musical experience," said Chabun. "Those two bands had it as far as heavy music is concerned."

He said making a return to Folk on the Rocks six years later was cool, adding the band "sticks out like a sore thumb" being a Northern group.

All four members are longtime Fort Smith residents, though they actually started playing together in Winnipeg in 2001.

According to Chabun the North is where their heart is, but they do plan to venture south and attempt to move into bigger venues. For now the guys are just doing what they love.

"We're focused on making and performing the best we can," said Chabun.