Author: Gruesome Greg
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AMATEUR CONCERT PHOTOGRAPHY HOUR: BLACK SABBATH @ FirstOntario Centre, Hamilton, February 21, 2016
This was the first time I’ve ever paid for a concert VIP package, and quite likely the last time, too. Most of the bands I’d pay that kinda money to see have already been crossed off my bucket list…mind you, if Maiden made me a similar offer, I might be tempted to take them up…
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Black Cobra – Imperium Simulacra
Another sludge band coming out of the woodwork after a considerable recording hiatus; Imperium Simulacra marks Black Cobra’s first release since 2011’s Invernal. That said, this heavy duo has never really stopped touring—they’re due back on these shores in April with Bongzilla, CBSA-permitting. Imperium Simulacra comes barrelling outta the gate as expected, with “Challenger Deep”…
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Sierra – 72
Really interesting backstory to this record. Kitchener trio Sierra has put out a 22-minute, one-song concept album about a murder that happened in their backyard in the early 70’s, and the dude who was wrongfully accused. (Turns out he’s one of their bros, or something.) 72 starts off with some slow-rolling stoner grooves, setting a…
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Soon – Vol 1
What, are we running so low on new band names that even adverbs are now in play? As far as monikers go, Soon is the blandest I’ve seen since Accept… and I fuckin’ love Accept. But this Carolina outfit, which includes a couple dudes from emo indie rockers The Love Language, might be more like…
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Buffalo Theory MTL – Skeptic Knight EP
When it comes to Montreal metal, you definitely think of death-metal blastbeats more often than stoner/doom grooves. In fact, this outfit includes guys from bands like Ghoulunatics, Les Ékorchés and Arseniq 33, but they’ve been united by their love of Kyuss. Skeptic Knight, the third recording from Buffalo Theory MTL, kicks off with a conspiracy; “Conspiracy…
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Snow Burial – Victory in Ruin
How fitting was it that the promo for a band called Snow Burial hit my inbox just as the Northeast was getting snowed under? I do believe that Chicago, which this trio calls home, was largely spared, but I’m sure these dudes are no strangers to the white stuff. Formerly known as Oxblood, this outfit…
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Arcana 13 – Danza Macabra
Colour me intrigued by this horror-inspired Italian psych/doom outfit, which just might be The Boot’s answer to Uncle Acid & the Deadbeats. Italy’s tradition of cult horror is certainly not lost on Arcana 13—they even cover the theme from Suspiria on this one. Danza Macabra starts off with an eerie howling wind, as some Italian…
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Black Tusk – Pillars of Ash
Not entirely sure if this is to be Black Tusk’s final album—bassist/vocalist Johnathan Athon tragically passed away weeks after it was recorded. They’ve replaced him with a guy who used to play in Kylesa, and are hitting the road in March, so whether or not it’s the end of the band’s legacy, Pillars of Ash…
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Seven Sisters of Sleep – Ezekiel’s Hags
I have not heard from this L.A. sludge crew since their self-titled debut in 2011. Seven Sisters of Sleep have put out another album—and a whole shitload of splits—since then, but now that they’ve signed to Relapse, their status is about to get a big boost. While you might accuse such a band of dropping…
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Bloodiest – self-titled
We last heard from this Chicago post-sludge supergroup (of sorts) in 2011, with their debut album Descent, which was pretty decent. But almost a full five years have passed, and Bloodiest’s ranks have been narrowed from a nine-musician collective to a solid sextet, which appears on all tracks on this one. So while I might…