Amon Amarth Kills It In Calgary - A Live Review

Amon Amarth with Entombed A.D. & Exmortus

May 14th, 2016

MacEwan Hall, Calgary

“The Vikings have landed!” might as well have been the war cry heard throughout the province on the evening that Amon Amarth prepared to play their only Alberta date on the tour. With an amazing lineup, this particular show was highly anticipated and drew metalheads from hours away. Met by chainmailed and helmeted viking sentinels upon entering the venue, the anticipation was tangible. 

Exmortus opened the show, shredding their way through a blistering set. Touring on the back of their latest album, ‘Ride Forth’, it was unfortunate that many fans were still trying to get into the venue or caught up in the merchandise line for their set. Although only being afforded a rather short set, Exmortus proved that they belong with the other heavy hitters in the lineup. 

Entombed A.D., still somewhat synonymous with the original Entombed, played to a fuller house even though people were still trying to get in the doors halfway through their set. For the old-school death metal fans in the audience it was quite a treat to witness L.G. Petrov and crew playing a few classic Entombed songs as well as some of the newer, more death n’roll styled material. 

Photo by the talented Dana Zuk.

Amon Amarth stormed onto stage, ripping into “Pursuit of Vikings”. The Swedes played to a packed house with a well-rounded set of older and newer material. Although more focus was placed on material from ‘Jomsviking’, enough of the classics were played to keep even long-time Amon Amarth fans satisfied. The elaborate stage props, consisting of a giant viking-helmet drum riser and several different backdrops, added to the ambiance of the set. Chainmailed vikings battling with swords and shields enhanced many of the songs from the ‘Jomsviking’ album. “First Kill” seemed a crowd favorite, while “Runes To My Memory” was one that proved a favorite with certain segments of the audience. While it would have been wickedly awesome to witness L.G. Petrov handling some of the vocals to “Guardians Of Asgaard”, as he did on the ‘Twilight Of The Thunder God’ album, it wasn’t to be. Amon Amarth demonstrated yet again why they have gained popularity in recent years. Playing a tight set, carried by the powerful vocals of Johan Hegg, these vikings once again kicked some serious ass. 

The first all-ages Amon Amarth show I’ve witnessed was truly packed with those of all ages. From little metalheads dressed in chainmail with battleaxes to old-school metalheads who were likely listening to Swedish death metal when Entombed A.D. was known as Nihilist and before the release of ‘Left Hand Path’ this show represented multiple generations of metalheads. From the frenzied, mixed stylings of Exmortus, to the classic-death metal influences of Entombed, to the never disappointing and always energetic, perfectly melodic death metal viking anthems of Amon Amarth, it was a show that wasn’t to be missed.

Kalmah: Worth The Wait (A Live Review)

Kalmah with Vesperia, Trollband, Mongol

April 19th, 2016

Starlite Room

The Starlite Room contained a surprisingly decent sized crowd early in the evening to witness local support acts Mongol and Trollband. Mongol, in typical fashion, played an energetic set that was genuinely enjoyed by the audience. Rising through the folk metal ranks, they also shared a new song with the horde (The Mountain Weeps). Trollband further pumped up the crowd, many of whom were already quite familiar with the band’s interesting mix of blackened folk metal. Vesperia, hailed as “epic death metal from the frozen north” were a perfect segue from the more folkish stylings of the first two openers to the more deathish stylings of Kalmah. 

After waiting nearly ten years to see Kalmah live, the Finns didn’t disappoint. Emerging from the swampy depths of Oulu (which is probably not that swampy at all, but it sounded good), they tore up the Starlite. While one typically doesn’t think of a melodic death metal band and a sense of humor going hand-in-hand, vocalist Pekka Kokko cracked a few jokes throughout the night and genuinely seemed to be enjoying the gig. Kalmah played a good mix of old and newer material. This was to the liking of many of the fans although Kalmah is one of those bands who has never released an album that could be recognized as anything less than strong. ‘Pikemaster’ came off sounding particularly awesome as the energy of the band never seemed to wane through the set. 

Personally, I would have loved to hear ‘Wings Of Blackening’, but with such a strong repertoire of material to choose from, it would have been impossible to fit all of the favorites into the length of a single set. Perhaps it was one of those songs Pekka Kokko forgot how to play, which was another humorous quip from the frontman. Amidst a dismal spring filled with uncertainty for many metalheads in this province, Kalmah provided the perfect dose of melo-death, proving that the wait to see the Finns live was more than worth it.

From The Vault: Finnish Metal Tour Review (2011)

I stumbled across this review I wrote way back in 2011 for the Finnish Metal Tour featuring Finntroll, Ensiferum, Rotten Sound and Barren Earth. It was originally done for a blog for the university's heavy metal student club. I still feel just as uncomfortable writing decent reviews as I did then. 

Finnish Metal Tour: A Personal Review

February 15th, 2011

The night appeared doomed to a slow start, with only a handful of people in line when doors were opened at eight. The frigid weather, made worse by a biting wind, may have factored into this but it seemed strangely appropriate for a night when four bands from Finland were slated to play. A quick stop at the merchandise table made me wish I was able to afford the price wanted for the hand drawn artwork of Finntroll guitarist, Skrymer. 

            There was an abysmal lack of concert goers in the Starlite Room as Barren Earth took the stage. Although the music of Barren Earth was not particularly appealing to me, they performed a solid set, sounding somewhat like Opeth at times. By the time Rotten Sound made their appearance on stage, more fans had trickled in. The fast and heavy stylings of Rotten Sound served to energize the crowd, creating an atmosphere more appropriate to a small venue filled with loud music. All of those at the front were quickly caught up in the headbanging and those back a little further created an impressive pit considering the number of people participating. Rotten Sound knew exactly what to do to pump up the crowd, encouraging moshing that was equally as hard and fast as their music. Even those who were unfamiliar with the band seemed to thoroughly enjoy the set. 

            Unfortunately the people behind me during Ensiferum made the set slightly less enjoyable but Ensiferum seemed to be the highlight of the night for many fans. (Perhaps because english lyrics are much more accessible than the Swedish language lyrics of Finntroll.) A friend commented that this was possibly the best set he had heard Ensiferum play on their numerous stops in Edmonton. Long time fans of the band were delighted to hear Token of Time, from the band’s self titled debut album. From Afar, Deathbringer From the Sky and Ahti were favorites with the audience, with many shouting out the words along with vocalist Petri Lindroos. Victory Song was another huge hit with the crowd, as well as the final tune, Iron. The beer was flowing and the crowd was rowdy and excited throughout the twelve song set. In the final minutes of the set, guitarist Markus Toivonen impressed the crowd by playing a solo behind his back. Ensiferum, with their trademark kilts and black war paint, were solid and crowd pleasing. 

            As Finntroll took the stage, many people seemed content to sit back, drink a beer and watch the show. After using the song Blodmarsch as the introduction, Finntroll burst into a thundering rendition of Solsagen. Throughout the set, a handful of fans were screaming for Ett Norrskensdåd and Eliytres and left satisfied as both songs were included in the set. Although Finntroll’s drummer was apparently quite ill and other band members were recovering from being sick, one never would have guessed from the energetic set. Vocalist Mathias ‘Vreth’ Lillmåns demonstrated an impressive lung capacity, screaming and growling throughout the set. Although Finntroll are known for occasionally drinking too much before going on stage, it didn’t happen in Edmonton. Vreth didn’t hesitate to get down and scream right into the faces of those in the front row,  and touring keyboardist Aleksi Virta could be seen grinning throughout the show, which seemed a little uncharacteristic for a band with darker music, but it suggested that he was enjoying the show as much as the fans. As the end of the set approached, Lillmåns announced that there would be no encore due to the drummer being ill, but the ensuing antics of Maktens Spira made up for it. Drunken members of Rotten Sound ran out on stage, complete with oversized, glittery top hats, huge novelty sunglasses, and various funny masks; joining in on some of the vocals and making their own party on stage. Members of the other bands apparently found it as hilarious as I did, as Petri Lindroos could be seen laughing and snapping pictures from the side of the stage. Members of Turisas were apparently in the crowd as well, having played earlier in the night in Edmonton. Finntroll, and every other band on this tour, certainly didn’t disappoint and my only regret is that I was only able to catch one show. Overall, the show was excellent. 

Warbringer & Enforcer with Cauldron & Exmortus Review

January 28^th, 2016

Starlite Room

            An early start to the show resulted in only catching the final song of Exmortus’ set, which was a little disappointing considering I was hoping to get a good live preview before they open for Amon Amarth later this year. From what I heard, it was a set that was so good it definitely shouldn’t have been missed.

            Cauldron was up next, with Striker’s Dan Cleary on vocals due to Cauldron’s own vocalist having a nasty throat infection. Playing in the style of traditional heavy metal, I thought their set was pretty good.

            Sweden’s Enforcer amped up the energy, playing to an enthusiastic crowd. Proving that metal is timeless, Enforcer definitely reminded me of some of the classic speed metal bands, right down to their stage outfits. I thoroughly enjoyed their set, which was near perfect in terms of song choice according to several people who were much more familiar with the band than I. Even if you don’t particularly enjoy the style of metal that Enforcer plays, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend catching a live show if you have the opportunity.

            Warbringer headlined the evening. A bit surprisingly, half of the crowd had emptied out of the building when they started, apparently unaware of what they were about to miss. Playing deliriously fast thrash metal, appropriate for the circle pit that developed, Warbringer delivered and ended the night on a high note.

Eye Of Horus, With Malice, Tales Of The Tomb Review

Eye Of Horus, With Malice, Tales Of The Tomb

December 5, 2015

Rendezvous Pub

The Rendezvous Pub played host to what promised to be one of the sickest local death metal shows of the year. Dethgod, the only band on the bill not from Edmonton, was forced to drop off the bill due to a family emergency. Although a little disappointing, the reason was perfectly understandable and many of the local metal heads are hoping to see them make it to Edmonton in the new year. 

The Rendezvous was already rocking with the sounds of Tales Of The Tomb as I arrived. Boisterous and frenetic, they proved again why they are a good pick for an energizing opener. 

With Malice played a blistering set, supporting their album ‘Hail Kraken’. The band’s Facebook page states that “their live show is nothing but pure, raw intensity from start to finish” and it’s an apt description. I’ve only caught this band a few times, but each time has involved an intense, energetic, near-perfect thrashy-death metal experience. 

Eye of Horus promised a unique set of cover songs and definitely delivered. They brought an intensity typical of their own material to each of the covers played, including songs from other death metal greats such as At The Gates, Cannibal Corpse, Bloodbath, and Behemoth. Mixing a few of their own songs in, it’s not hard to see why Eye of Horus has quickly risen to the top ranks of Alberta’s death metal bands. 

The beer was flowing, multiple birthdays were celebrated by band and audience members, the temperature was much more appealing than what could be expected from a December night in Edmonton, and all three bands were on point, playing ear-shredding sets. All in all, it was a great, intimate show. 

Public Transit and the Music Scene

Perhaps tying the public transit system to the music scene is my way of expressing my frustration with public transit within the city of Edmonton but it’s something that many of us have some experience with, or can likely relate to. There has been a lot of public frustration with the transit system in Edmonton. From long delays on the construction of LRT (light rail transit) lines, to LRT lines severely interrupting traffic flow, to several other issues and complaints; the list is endless.

I made the (poor) decision to use public transit to get to a bar for a metal show the other night. Wanting to have a few drinks before heading to the show, transit seemed like a logical option considering the home I was at was close to a major transit hub and taking a taxi was significantly more expensive. Before even boarding the LRT, a friend and I were aggressively harassed by two homeless people as we were purchasing tickets for the LRT. Although this indicates a larger problem within the city, the area we were in isn’t exactly known for issues like this. Although it is becoming more common. After that, it took an hour to get to the venue. A venue that would have been a fifteen or twenty minute drive. 

I haven’t used public transit in the city since I was student and lived in the city for a few years. My experiences and observations on the way to the show the other night served as a reminder of why I have a severe dislike for the public transit system. When I first moved into the city, I was excited that it would be easy to get to shows or go out for a bar night with friends by simply hopping on transit and planning on using a taxi to get home. Perhaps I was naive, or perhaps experiences in other cities led me to believe the system would work, but my mind was quickly changed.

 The public transit system is massively inefficient. Route frequencies change all of the time, supposedly reflecting user volume. Figuring out which route to take can be a challenge in comparison to finding the same information in other cities. Unless you’re traveling to a destination directly on the LRT line, good luck getting anywhere in reasonable time. And honestly, the LRT doesn’t go to that many places. It doesn’t even allow users to be transported to most of the major transit hubs in the area. 

For a city that is spending a ridiculous amount of money on revitalizing areas that someone in power has decided to showcase, you’d think timely transit improvement would be a priority. It apparently is, but so far hasn’t been executed in any kind of manner that can be described as anything less than a giant cluster-fuck. Edmonton is so far behind other major cities in this regard that it’s actually embarrassing. Observing the LRT stations downtown doesn’t leave a very good impression. They’re poorly lit, run-down, dirty and generally tired and uninviting. Not to mention that security is non-existent. Speaking to above-ground bus stops, they’re not exactly comfortable places to be after dark. I don’t feel particularly safe waiting for twenty five minutes on a very poorly lit, dirty, side street in a sketchy area of the city. Would it really be that difficult to put some form of lighting at the bus stop itself? I’ve heard LED lights are a pretty cost efficient alternative...

In comparing Edmonton with other cities, I’ve seen several things that would ideally already be in place for an urban area claiming to be as modern and livable as Edmonton. For example, in Banff, QR codes are in place at the bus stops throughout the town. Scan the QR code and you have instant information about how long you will be waiting for your bus. You also have access to route information. Sure Banff is a small town, and a major tourist destination, but using QR codes to give simple information shouldn’t be that much of a stretch if the rest of the system was up to date. Which, in Edmonton’s case, it is not. 

Perhaps I am so disappointed and frustrated with Edmonton’s transit system because I’ve spent a fair bit of time using transit in a country where it is actually efficient and user-friendly. Maybe it’s an unfair comparison to make between Edmonton and Helsinki (and Finland in general), but I would have thought that someone in this city would have had the foresight to see why a good public transit is an asset. I had very few problems figuring out exactly where I needed to go, and how to get there, while I was in Helsinki and various other cities in Finland. The vast majority of the information was in Finnish or Swedish, which are both languages that I have little grasp of. Yet the system itself was so user-friendly that I was able to use it hassle-free. 

Helsinki also employs an easy payment system. At least they did when I was using transit there, which is now seven and eight years ago. It was simple to purchase a card, somewhat like a FOB, which could be loaded with money. When entering a bus or rail system, it was as simple as holding the card up to a reader, which would then deduct the appropriate fare for the trip. If you chose to use cash, the transit drivers had change available, dispensed through a machine at the front of the bus. Neither of these options exist in Edmonton. Sure you can buy a monthly or annual pass, but it’s not the same. You had better make sure you have the exact cash fare in Edmonton because you sure won’t get change back. Finland has a transit system that makes it easy to get from even the smallest rural areas to any major city. Going to a concert or festival was ridiculously easy. Purchase a train ticket and you could get almost anywhere. You didn’t have to drive, or makes plans to carpool and have a designated driver if there was the possibility of having a few drinks with friends.

In Edmonton, even taking a taxi has proved to be nothing but an expensive hassle. I can’t say I’ve ever had an overwhelmingly positive experience attempting to use taxis to get to or from shows in this city. From having to wait nearly an hour early in the evening to be picked up on the way to the show to having to wait the same amount of time in the cold after a show, only to fight with others waiting for a cab, to get home later; it’s a pain. I’ve had numerous taxi drivers attempt to take a much longer, inefficient route in order to collect a higher fare. I’ve had taxis say that they couldn’t drive me to my destination because it was “out of their way” even though it was well within city limits and less than a half hour drive. I haven’t used taxis in many other cities, but the experience I had using a taxi in Vancouver was the complete opposite. The fare was less than half of what I was expecting, based on what I knew of Edmonton taxis. 

Considering all of the experiences I’ve had trying to use transit, and why I basically refuse to use it if possible in Edmonton, I’m left wondering how much the poor public transit system in Edmonton negatively affects the arts and music scene. Many venues have been forced to close or move to locations that aren’t easy to access with transit. Taking a taxi is expensive, and an option that concert goers on a budget have to weigh carefully. Taxi or merch? Taxi or a few drinks with friends? Is it worth the hassle of even attempting to get to and from the venue in the first place? Sure, it’s an option to drive oneself but it would be nice to have a good transit option available. 

Getting home safely at the end of the night is a fairly major concern to me. Getting to a venue with minimal hassle helps to set the mood for an enjoyable night. When I lived in the city, there were shows and events that I skipped because I either did not feel comfortable taking transit in that area of the city, taking transit wasn’t a viable option, I couldn’t afford a taxi, or I simply did not want to drive. Perhaps it’s just my opinion, but I believe that a modern, efficient, user-friendly public transit system would help in allowing music lovers (of all genres) support the local scene. Beyond looking at it from the perspective of someone trying to get to and from shows, a good transit system would be an asset to the entire city. Some simple changes could make a big difference and should have been planned for, and implemented years ago. 

Eye Of Horus CD Release Show: A Short Review

Eye of Horus CD Release with Death Toll Rising, AfterEarth, Mongol, Wolfrik

Saturday, September 12, 2015

Rendezvous Pub

Tired and sluggish from the insanity of Villainizer’s farewell show the night before, I headed out to the Eye Of Horus CD release show, knowing this was another one not to be missed. The Rendezvous Pub is a small venue and it was definitely quite full by the end of this rainy evening. Fighting through my own somewhat grouchy mood, it was still a night of music well worth attending. 

Wolfrik opened the show and while quite a few people seemed to thoroughly enjoy their style of metal, it’s something that isn’t to my taste. Mongol, on the other hand, play a uniquely themed style of folk metal that’s aways enjoyable. On a night where new material was the theme, Mongol had a new song to offer titled ‘The Mountain Weeps’. If this is any indication of what’s to come from the Mongol camp, it’s worth looking forward to. 

AfterEarth, from Calgary, played an excellent set of melodic death metal on the heels of their newly released CD, “In The Shadow Of Destiny”. This was the second time seeing this band, and I’m hoping to have the opportunity to see them again. Death Toll Rising has been a staple in the local death metal scene for years and once again proved exactly why. Always high energy, always packed with great musicianship, tonight was no different.

Of course, the highlight of the night came from Eye of Horus. Officially releasing their latest offering of brilliant brutality, they killed it. This is a band that sounds as if they crawled right out of Sweden with some of the best that particular country has to offer. Fresh off of a western Canadian tour, they were on point yet again. Crushingly heavy, with insurmountable energy, it was a great set. If you haven’t picked up a copy of their new album, “Infernal Calling”, do it. If you get a chance to see Eye of Horus live and you like brutally tight, heavy death metal, take the opportunity. You will not be disappointed. 

Villainizer Bids Farewell: Review

Villainizer Final Show with BLEED, Bloated Pig, Tylor Dory Trio and Tales Of The Tomb

September 11th, 2015

Starlite Room

One could feel the anticipation for Villainizer’s farewell show in the days leading up to this particular night. Upon arrival at the venue, even before doors were scheduled to open, several metal heads were already lined up, eager to get their hands on some of the limited Villainizer merchandise being offered. 

Stated on social media as ‘psychological horror metal / death metal / murder metal, Tales of the Tomb opened the show to a steady trickle of arriving metal heads. With lyrical themes revolving around serial killers such as Robert Pickton (check out ‘The Pig Farmer’), cult leaders such as David Koresh, and various other murders and criminal acts, this band offers macabre death metal with a real-life twist. Proving to be a good opener for this particular show, they played an energetic set, preparing the crowd for what was still to come. 

Described by guitarist/vocalist Tylor Dory as the ‘least metal band of the night’, Tylor Dory Trio proved to be an impressive display of true musicianship. Dory has been a talented mainstay in the local metal scene for years, also playing with Villainizer on this particular night (as well as Death Toll Rising the following night). Not having listened to Tylor Dory Trio’s material previously, I was sincerely impressed even though the style is not typical of the sub genres of metal I usually listen to. Always having been impressed with Dory’s guitar abilities, I was also very pleasantly surprised to hear him sing lead vocals. This is definitely a band worth keeping an eye on. 

Bloated Pig were another band that I had not previously seen. While I found them interesting to watch, I also found them to be a touch on the doom-y, sludgy side for my preferences. It seemed as though they were well-appreciated by the crowd though. 

BLEED: the second most hype-inducing band of the evening. (They would have been in close contention with Villainizer for most-anticipated of the night for many if it were not Villainizer’s farewell show). With a brand new album, ‘The Hatred Inside’, set to be officially released at the end of the month, I was excited to see what this band had on offer this evening. When you go to a BLEED show, you know you will be entertained. Horrifically awesome costumes, often hand-constructed by BLEED vocalist Robert Kreed, wicked props, spewing blood, all backed backed by headbanging tunes; what more could you want? As far as I’m concerned, BLEED has earned a place amongst western Canada’s finest live acts and this night was no exception. 

Villainizer has been a band surrounded by hype from its inception in 2009. Project mastermind Rob ‘the Arab Villain’ Abinader has always been heavily involved in the local metal scene, contributing in several less-illustrious aspects than as the frontman of this terrorist thrash metal act. However, this evening was dedicated to showcasing the career of Villainizer and saying good-bye with a bang. If you missed your chance to catch Villainizer live, you seriously missed out. This was the first full Villainizer set that I managed to catch, but what a set it was. The infidels were out in full force, packing Starlite Room to bid a fond farewell. Abinader is a pure entertainer, as evidenced by a larger than life stage presence, provoking lyrics dripping with satire, and more energy than one would think possible. The fans fed off this and the pit didn’t even seem to slow down for the rest of the night. 

Overall, this was one of the best shows, local or otherwise, that I have witnessed in a while. I’m sure there were quite a few hung over metal heads the next morning, made worth it by knowing that this is something that will not be seen again. Villainizer will be sorely missed in the local scene; thank you to the band for creating such a fantastic experience over the last five years for all of thrashers who listened to the albums, bought merchandise and attended shows. 

Farmageddon Open Air 2015 : My Thoughts

The following will be a summary of my thoughts regarding Farmageddon Open Air 2015. I felt as though I should leave the reviews up to the professionals this time. Honestly, I didn’t take in the festival to the extent I felt that I should have in order to write a ‘review’. The last month of my life has been hectic, resulting in a feeling of exhaustion before I even made it to Farmageddon. Certainly not the best precursor to a weekend of beer and metal. I’m still recovering from the cold I caught over the weekend. Discombobulated thoughts, and some misguided advice follow: 

Edmonton Kick-Off Show

• Körperlose Stimme played an excellent set. This was their first show I have been able to catch, but am definitely hoping to see them again. The kick-off was also the first time the band has played live since vocalist Verteidigung was pregnant. I was certainly impressed.
• Ironstorm, with Farmageddon founder Tyson Travnik on drums, also played a solid set. I believe the last time I saw this band, they had a different vocalist (although I could be wrong on this point).
• Anyone who has followed this blog knows that I thoroughly enjoy BLËED. Although the album release was pushed back to a later date, BLËED still delivered with all the ferocity one can expect from this band. After returning from the Wacken Metal Battle Final in Toronto, it was disappointing to see that barely anyone hung around to watch. 
• I enjoyed the wonderfully sticky, slightly off-color ‘murder babies’ and all of the jokes that came with them. I’m glad I was one of the few who stayed to watch.

Farmageddon

• The weather turned out to the be the sore point of the weekend. I was optimistic that a forecast of rain might materialize into rain showers, or very little rain, but that wasn’t the case. At least, not for Saturday and most of Sunday. 
• I wish I would have managed to get my gazebo tarped. At least it would have provided respite from the rain in between sets. Mesh isn’t the best water deterrent. 
• Mesh also does not stand up to grease fires on a camp stove. (Although I was not the one who created the grease fire...)
• Friday night, and the camp set-up quickly turned into an utterly hilarious beer fest. 
• The camping and stage areas were significantly different from 2014. This year, the camping area was clearly distinguishable from the stage area. While I preferred last year’s set up, I understand that it would not have been possible to have the same set-up again.
• AGLC rules making the stage area a no-smoking zone, free from outside alcohol, sucked. Again, from the perspective of the organizers, it was an understandable necessity. 
• Idolatry played a good set of pure black metal on Friday evening, bringing the darkness with them. 
• I once again managed to miss most of Villainizer between eating donairs and deciding I was drunk enough that I should probably find my tent before it disappeared into the vast sea of tents. Another lesson reinforced: a donair cannot be eaten while drunk without making a massive mess. Which you will not notice until the next morning.
• Apparently you cannot leave beer unguarded outside your tent, even if it clearly is inside your cooler, or inside your gazebo. The beer goblins will strike. 
• Unlike some others, I was lucky enough to stay warm and dry while inside my tent. That, combined with a bit of social anxiety and a general attitude of unfounded irritation probably explained why I spent most of Saturday evening hiding in my tent. 
• I did not end up watching a single full set on Saturday. Which was a disappointment, especially considering I didn’t even venture out to watch Incantation, whom I was really looking forward to. At least they sounded good from inside my tent. 
• The weather made me seriously consider buying some good hunting/outfitting rain gear. I have decided this will be my next major purchase in order to make a rainy festival experience more enjoyable. 
• I should have dug my camera out to capture some of the moments, but I didn’t. 
• The donair truck, while a bit overpriced, was awesome. The fish and chips truck was fantastic. I really enjoyed being able to get a fresh, warm meal that I didn’t have to cook, and that did not consist of burgers or hot dogs. 
• Seagulls, seagulls and more seagulls on Sunday morning. I woke up to the sound of bird shit bombarding my tent. Which is more funny than it should be, considering it always seems to be my vehicle or tent that gets shit on by birds. At least the seagulls didn’t get me. 
• Aggression was phenomenal, inciting enough headbanging to make my neck sore for the next several days. While I had heard of these Canadian thrash pioneers, I hadn’t given them much of a listen. They played one of the most energetic, enjoyable sets I’ve seen recently. 
• Grim Reaper closed the festival on Sunday evening, and what an amazing choice to close a festival. The Brits played to a crowd who enjoyed every moment, and they certainly seemed to feed off the energy themselves. Steve Grimmet cracked a few hilarious jokes throughout the night. The cover of Dio’s ‘Don’t Talk To Strangers’ might go down as one of the most heartfelt, almost-magical, tribute moments I’ve ever witnessed at any concert or festival. 
• The attendance seemed to be double, or more, of what it was last year. While the vast majority of people were incredibly well behaved, I hope continued growth doesn’t attract the kind of people that detract from the enjoyment of the festival for those of us who manage to have fun without being idiots. 

Last, but certainly not least, thank you to everyone who put in an unimaginable amount of hard work to make Farmageddon possible. It is much appreciated to have an event of this calibre so close to home. 

Farmageddon: Interview With Tyson Travnik, Festival Founder

For anyone interested in reading a bit more about Farmageddon Open Air, I wanted to share an interview from Decibel Magazine. The interviewer speaks to Tyson Travnik, the mastermind behind this fantastic Alberta metal festival.

Read it here: http://decibelmagazine.com/blog/2015/4/27/farmageddon-open-air-even-if-you-bring-metal-to-the-middle-of-nowhere-they-will-come

"Farmageddon Open Air kicks off third year"

Farmageddon Tickets, 2014 Edition 

A good article talking about the third year of Farmageddon Open Air:

http://www.edmontonexaminer.com/2015/05/06/farmegeddon-open-air-kicks-off-third-year


While I missed the inaugural year, I attended this festival last year and plan on doing so again this June. I was impressed with the setup and the level of professionalism of the event, while still retaining an intimate feel. There are some great bands in the lineup this year, and the addition of some new (and rather tasty-looking) food vendors.

“What sets a metal festival apart from others is that it’s really quite the opposite of what someone who’s not accustomed to metal festivals would assume,”

I couldn't agree more with the above comment by Bleed's vocalist, Robert Kreed. It's great to go to an event with music and alcohol and not have to worry about being harassed, or random fights breaking out. It seems like most would think metal heads would make for an aggressive, obnoxious crowd, but my experience with various concerts and festivals has been the exact opposite. Farmageddon is a great atmosphere to make new friends, enjoy the craziness of being in a campground with a bunch of like-minded individuals and most important of all, indulge in some fantastic music.


Links:
http://www.farmageddon.ca
https://www.facebook.com/events/1510036222595945/

Wacken Metal Battle: Alberta Finals

Wacken Metal Battle Alberta Finals

BLEED, Dethgod, AfterEarth, Arrival of Autumn 

April 18th, 2015

Edmonton’s Pawnshop played host to the Alberta finals of the Wacken Metal Battle on this windy, dusty, Saturday night. The battle to win a spot at Wacken Open Air takes place in several Canadian cities, culminating in the finals in Toronto, scheduled for June 6th, 2015. Four bands played on this particular night, representing some of the best metal in this province. Each band was allowed a set of roughly half and hour to showcase what they’re made of. 

Arrival of Autumn made the trek from Grande Prairie to compete, dodging a highway accident on the way and still managing to arrive ready to play. While metalcore is not typically a style I personally enjoy, Arrival of Autumn played a great set, showcasing some tight musicianship. Along with their fans, they injected energy into the venue right from the start.

AfterEarth, from Calgary, took the stage second. Most closely fitting with melodic death metal, they also played a fantastic set. This four piece shredded from the moment they took the stage, building on the energy already in the room. They seemed to have several eager fans in the audience who could be seen moshing, headbanging and shouting along to the lyrics. 

Switching from melodic death metal to a more brutal, traditional style of death metal, Dethgod was up next. Hailing from Morley, this was apparently the first time they have played in Edmonton. They absolutely nailed the brutal death style, creating a slightly ominous atmosphere fit for the genre. 

BLEED was the last band to take the stage, opening with a thunderous rendition of ‘Murder Baby’. With several in the audience covered in BLEED blood for the band’s set, they brought enough energy to cause any metal lover to head bang with ferocity. Taking full advantage of custom stage props, this is a band that demonstrates exactly what a live show should be. Full of gore, backed by great musicianship, and engaging the audience, they never fail to deliver. 

Once the music had wrapped up for the evening, the anticipation of waiting for the winner to be announced could be felt. I would have hated to judge this competition as every band brought something slightly different with the commonality of representing some of the best in Alberta in their respective sub-genres. When the announcement came, it was revealed that BLEED had prevailed. With that result, they will be representing Alberta metal in the finals, hoping to win a coveted spot at Wacken Open Air later this year.

With that, congratulations to all of the bands who put on a fantastic show. A huge congratulations to BLEED! Best of luck in the finals, keep doing what you’ve been doing, and put Alberta metal on the map! 

Edmonton Extermination Review

Mortillery, Eye of Horus, Mongol, Ironstorm, Black Pestilence, Tales of the Tomb

Saturday April 11th

The Pawnshop

With six heavy hitting metal bands in the lineup, this was the perfect show to kick those dreary Edmonton winter blues down a flight of stairs and out the door. Tales of the Tomb started the evening off, apparently a little early for most metal heads, but despite having a small audience they managed to pique interest in their brand of death metal. With songs like ‘The Pig Farmer’, about Robert Pickton, the tags of murder metal and psychological death metal certainly fit this band. 

Black Pestilence made the trip from Calgary for this show, showcasing an interesting melding of different styles, described as ‘black punk noise metal’. Ironstorm played next, unveiling their new lineup for those who had missed their show supporting Anvil. From what I caught of the set, they sounded solid.

Switching gears, Mongol took the stage, providing the folk metal element of this particular evening. As always, they brought an undeniable amount of energy. Songs such as ‘Storming The Wall’ provided the perfect blend of high and low tempo breaks to draw the audience in. Eye of Horus was up next. They played a solid set of death metal, including a cover of Cannibal Corpse’s ‘Evisceration Plague’, which was evidently very appreciated by the death metal fans in the audience. Promising new material in the near future, Eye of Horus’ set did not disappoint. 

Mortillery has seen an impressive level of success lately. Supporting their ‘Origin of Extinction’ album, they have opened for both 3 Inches of Blood and Destruction in Edmonton, as well as embarking on a European tour last year supporting Sepultura. Watching them live, it’s easy to see why Mortillery has become one of the most successful bands to come out of this city in recent times.

For a great review of Mortillery’s set, and accompanying photos, check out Dana Zuk’s piece here: http://ampsandgreenscreens.com/2015/04/14/mortillery-massacres-the-pawn-shop-during-edmonton-extermination-concert-april-11-2015/

Kataklysm & Belphegor to Tour North America

Waiting for the dates to be announced for this tour is almost an anxiety attack waiting to happen. Personally, Kataklysm and Belphegor on the same bill represent the potential for a bone-crunching night of metal. I've seen Kataklysm numerous times, but they are one of the bands that I could see every time they come through town. I've yet to be disappointed by a Kataklysm show, or album, for that matter.

As for Belphegor, I've recently rediscovered why I was initially so drawn to this band. 'Conjuring the Dead' really piqued my interest again and is up there on my list of one of the best recent releases I've listened to. The only time I've seen Belphegor was in the fall of 2008 when they supported Ensiferum and Amon Amarth (and what a wicked show that was). I've been anxiously awaiting another live show, and the opportunity to pick up some merchandise, since.

While I'm definitely praying to the metal gods for this tour to make a stop near me, this is one that I might even seriously consider travelling the thirteen hours by road to Vancouver for.

Farmageddon 2015 Line Up

Farmageddon Open Air has just released the line-up for this year's event, and it looks great! There is something for almost everyone present, including bands from several sub-genres and even a few burlesque and performance artists to add a little bit extra. There are several bands in the lineup that I look forward to seeing again, and a few that I'm interested in checking out for the first time. Incantation and Grim Reaper anyone? 

This was a fantastic event last year, and I am hoping it will be the same this year. Being (somewhat) acquainted with some of the organizers and various band members of bands that will be playing, I know how much hard work and dedication goes into such an event.  Fingers crossed for good weather, a great time meeting up with plenty of friends, cold beer and metal! 

For more information:
http://www.farmageddon.ca/
https://www.facebook.com/Farmageddonfest

Behemoth & Cannibal Corpse with Aeon, Tribulation Review

Union Hall

February 13th, 2015

Braving the freezing rain before doors opened on this miserable evening turned out to be a good choice. Perhaps the only way to guarantee a decent spot inside the Union is to arrive early and find a vantage point quickly. It seems like several people missed the first two bands, stuck outside waiting to get through the doors. 

Tribulation, a ‘progressive’ death metal band from Sweden, started the evening. Sampling their albums beforehand, I was impressed with ‘The Horror’. ‘The Formulas of Death’ was not as much to my liking, providing more of a doom-metal feel, which I am personally not a big fan of. I was however looking forward to seeing Tribulation live. The audience at this point was quite small, and reaction to the band seemed mixed. I enjoyed some of the setlist, but found that some of the instrumental parts dragged on a little bit too long to be effective live. 

Aeon, also from Sweden, proved to be the big surprise of the night. Perhaps their set was surprisingly excellent due to the fact that I had never listened to the band previously, but I did find it to be thoroughly enjoyable. Fast and heavy, Aeon managed to re-energize the crowd. 

Cannibal Corpse came on stage to an almost-packed house, blasting their way through new and older material. I fully expected Cannibal Corpse to be excellent, and they did not disappoint. “Kill or Become”, from ‘A Skeletal Domain’, turned out to be a solid choice to play live. Corpsegrinder wins an award for the most intense windmill head banging I’ve ever witnessed live (as well as the most drinks I’ve seen consumed within the span of a few minutes when I bumped into him at the bar). Both “I Cum Blood” and “Hammer Smashed Face” from ‘Tomb Of The Mutilated’ were big highlights, but ‘Tomb Of The Mutilated’ is perhaps the Cannibal Corpse album that I am most familiar with. Either way, I was expecting a set of pure death metal fury and it was definitely delivered. 

While I think that Behemoth puts on a very well executed show, I have seen Behemoth live so many times that they were not the highlight of the evening. I spent a portion of Behemoth’s set attempting to wander around a completely packed (and apparently sold-out) venue. Jumping in the pit for a while seemed like a great idea until I realized I had probably drank enough beer to make it a not-so-great idea. Needless to say, I didn’t actually pay that much attention to Behemoth and thus it would be unfair to write much of a review of their set. 

Overall, in spite of a venue that is really not set up to host these kind of events, I have to admit that I will likely be looking further into Aeon’s material, will probably forget about Tribulation, and that I am quite pleased to have finally caught Cannibal Corpse live. 

3rd Annual Santa BLËED Review

BLËED with AfterEarth, With Malice, Armifera

December 20th, 2014

DV8 Underground

What could be better in the days leading up to Christmas than a Christmas themed metal show in a dark basement bar with free pancakes, bacon, & maple syrup? Not much, if you ask this metal head. Organized by the vocalist of BLËED (I believe), with sound being handled by the mastermind behind Farmageddon Open Air, this was the 3rd Annual Santa BLËED show. While most of the others on one of the busiest bar streets in the city were listening to whatever radio and dance club friendly junk was blasting from several outdoor speakers, several lucky metal heads were witnessing an amazing (not so radio-friendly) show at DV8 Underground.

Armifera opened the night, providing enough thrashy energy to awaken anyone in the crowd worn out from the stress of the most annoying time of the year. Playing a mixture of originals and covers, it was a set immensely enjoyed by the crowd. With Malice played next, providing more of blackened death vibe. They were hard and heavy, creating an assault on the eardrums in the best possible way. The band name certainly fits the style of music. AfterEarth were up next, drawing the majority of the crowd to the front of the stage. Even with some slight technical difficulties due to a completely new sound board (being learned somewhat on the fly), this show was already shaping up to be one of the best of the year before the headliners even took the stage. 

BLËED was the big attraction of the night. The crowd of eager metal heads was treated to a stage show that would leave anyone impressed. Fake blood, multiple costume changes and horror props all make BLËED shows absolutely insane. Especially when backed by loud and furious death metal, complete with blasphemous themes and zombie babies spewing Jägermeister to the crowd. This is a band that puts a tremendous amount of effort into their stage presence and the results are such that I could see BLËED live time and time again without ever getting bored. To top it off, Santa BLËED made an appearance, handing out multiple humorous Christmas presents to members of the audience. Joined onstage by several very creepy (and thus quite impressive) Krampus, this was a show that should not have been missed.