Hirax – Noise, Chaos, War
By Jason Wellwood This is a ‘catchup’ album of sorts for those of us who didn’t pick up the EP’s released in 2001, 2006…
The Atomic Bomb Audition – Roots Into the See
“With a tortured vocal skirting the edge of post-black-metal (by way of Today is the Day), and thick, cloying guitars that crack like ice-breaking anchors, the song is a slow-motion drag under ice-cold waters. It is the sound of hypothermia’s stab ice-picking your brain moments before you calmly accept the inevitability of the drown.”
Kyle Harcott discusses an early contender for 2011’s best of lists, The Atomic Bomb Audition’s “Roots Into the See”
God Ox – Abyssal Gigantism
By Gruesome Greg Despite the most pretentious band bio I’ve seen in a little while, I decided to check out NYC’s God Ox. These…
Wolves in the Throne Room / Ahna / Gyibaaw / Sick @ Rickshaw Theatre, Vancouver BC, January 6, 2011
“Nathan Weaver began by briefly thanking the crowd for coming and admonishing them to please refrain from flash photography, and also from moshing – something the majority in attendance seemed to appreciate. This band and all their trappings are an experience in the live setting, and the mood the stage sets seems as important and intricate as the music – taking your eyes off of them to smash into each other seems to miss the point – or maybe they just think moshing is stupid.”
Kyle Harcott caught the recent performance from Wolves in the Throne Room at their Vancouver, BC stop.
This Week in Metal!
King Diamond and Nergal going under the knife (all of us at Hellbound wish them all the best and a speedy recovery), Metal Film Festivals, Year End lists and more make up “This Week in Metal”, a weekly feature that features what has gone by the past week.
Dimmu Borgir / Enslaved / Blood Red Throne / Dawn of Ashes @ The Sound Academy, Toronto ON, December 12 2010
“The intense lighting, dominated by greens and purples lancing through the heavy smoke, gave the impression of the underworld crossed with an alien landscape. Their sound was massive and heavy, reverberating straight through me. Shagrath’s vocals were mixed quite low from where I was standing (front and centre), but the intense, symphonic instrumentation more than compensated.”
Natalie Zed absorbs the recent performance from Dimmu Borgir, Enslaved and more at Toronto’s Sound Academy on December 12th. Concert photos by Adam Wills.
Kylesa / Baptists / Haggatha @ Media Club, Vancouver BC, December 2 2010
“The crowd, still frothing from Baptists’ frantic set, boiled over for Kylesa from the get-go when they opened with “Hollow Severer”. The band was in fine form throughout their set, which was mostly balanced between Static Tensions and Spiral Shadow.”
Kyle Harcott recaps the December 2nd performance by KYLESA, HAGGATHA and BAPTISTS at Vancouver’s Media Club. Live photos by Ted Wilson
Something Wicked This Way Comes: Watain/Goatwhore/Black Anvil @ The Opera House, Toronto, ON, December 4, 2010
“With Watain, there is no division between style and substance. Far from invoking the more alienating or shoe-gazing aspects of black metal, they invited the audience into their circle with their high-energy antics. They are, at their core, rock and roll at its extreme margins — noisy, nasty, problematic, maybe even unpredictable.”
Jonathan Smith reviews the December 4th Toronto performance by WATAIN, GOATWHORE and BLACK ANVIL at the Opera House.
Ozzy Osbourne / Halford @ Air Canada Centre, Toronto ON, November 27, 2010
“The setlist was great: Perfectly selected songs from his solo stuff, like “Let Me Hear You Scream,” “Crazy Train,” “Bark at the Moon,” and “Mr. Crowley” and some Black Sabbath tunes like “Faries Wear Boots” and of course, “War Pigs.” I haven’t followed his solo career too much since I was about 11 or 12 when one of my older brothers (who is now a classical musician) brought home his first solo album, so this was a great set list for those who were enamored with the legend more than his musical catalogue.”
Laina Dawes reviews the November 27th show by OZZY and HALFORD at Toronto’s Air Canada Centre. She took all the cool pics too.
This Week In Metal (Nov 27-Dec 3)
Here are some things that went online in the past week that caught our attention and we thought were worth sharing.