Don't let the cute name fool you.

This Kittie doesn't purr, it growls.

Formed by two schoolfriends in London, Ont., Kittie has been clawing its way across North America and Europe for the past year.

"It's definitely a thing to get used to," says guitarist-singer Fallon Bowman.

"But I've always been a worldly person, so I can adjust pretty well to it.

"It's been really great."

Bowman met 16-year-old drummer Mercedes Lander in a school gymnastics class and the two struck up a friendship based on their common musical interests.

It wasn't long before Bowman, Lander and her older sister Morgan began jamming and writing fast 'n' furious, brutally honest songs about their experiences in high school and their feelings of alienation in the mostly conservative community.

But the turning point in Kittie's young career came during a show at Toronto's Rivoli club, where the band was playing a showcase as part of Canadian Music Week '99.

"There were some important people there who saw us," recalls Bowman.

"That was the deciding factor of what it was going to be for the rest of our lives."

Although they don't consider themselves any different from any other band playing pounding death-metal, the fact is, the all-girl band is an anomaly in the male-dominated metal genre.

Another contentious issue is the band members' ages. Bowman won't reveal her age, but according to internet fan sites, she will turn 18 in November.

"I don't think it's a big deal that we're girls," says the bubbly, intelligent Bowman. "We're playing music like any other band, and I think we're very good at it."

While Kittie -- which thrashes away tonight at the Mac Hall Ballroom with guests Disturbed -- has its fair share of detractors, the fearsome foursome don't seem to mind.

The band's first big tour was opening up for one of metal's biggest acts, Slipknot, it had a plum spot on this year's Ozzfest Tour and the gals will be heading out on the road soon with metal gods Pantera.

"It's been a blessing," says the native South African.

"It's amazing to think that we've been accepted by one of my favourite bands ever, Pantera. We've been lucky that people have taken us seriously. We get some skeptics who stand there with their arms crossed, but that doesn't faze us.

"We know that when we go out there and play, we know what we're capable of.

"They're going to decide if they like us or not, but whatever, we're going to play for them."