De Magia Veterum: Migdal Bavel
Some albums take some time to get into. Migdal Bavel is one that rewards patience and careful listening.
Knight Area: Realm Of Shadows
Realm of Shadows has reached a different ground than their previous albums and that makes for a smooth and pleasant album to listen too. If you’re the sort who likes Dream Theater, Ayreon and Solis then this cd is going to hit the spot. If someone had told me this was an early Dream Theater release, I wouldn’t doubt them. And that’s a good thing.
Vader: Necropolis
Going strong now since the early 90s, Vader keeps getting better and better with each subsequent release. Considered the death metal version of Slayer they are the leaders of the Polish death metal scene and, with this album, soon the planet.
Down/Voivod @ Kool Haus, Toronto ON, Sept 18, 2009
With considerably less than a packed house at The Kool Haus, Down took no notice, and put on one hell of a show for the rabid Down fans that were in attendance. Despite the small mountain of contraband booze (among other substances) that piled up outside the entrance, the crowd were treeated to a set list that would make any long time fan of the band drool, including a wide range of songs from their 1995 debut scattered with selections from their two more recent albums.
Adam Wills and Sean Palmerston discuss last Friday’s Toronto performances by Down and Voivod
Photo gallery: Down @ Koolhaus, Toronto ON, Sept 18, 2009
All photos by Adam Wills. All photos are the property of Adam Wills and Hellbound.ca – do not copy without written consent.
Whiplash: Unborn Again
Returning from the late-90s to capitalize on the continuing bear hug the metal world given to every thrash band that ever existed in the 80s is Whiplash. The difference being that for a short while back in 1985-86, Whiplash fucking ruled – well, fucking ruled my world, at the very least.
Photo gallery: Voivod @ Koolhaus, Toronto ON, Sept 18, 2009
All photos by Adam Wills. All photos are the property of Adam Wills and Hellbound.ca – do not copy without written consent.
Setlist from the Doro show
Setlist for the recent Doro show in Toronto on Hellbound.ca
MGR y Destructo Swarmbots: Amigos de la Guitarra
A little bit of background information: the record is a collaborative project between two Mikes — Mike Mare and Mike Gallager (of Isis fame). Amigos is a 40-plus minute single-track of ambient guitar textures and carefully pieced-together layers of sound that, just as they are on the verge of overstaying their welcome, shifts gears so as to keep things from getting too boring.
Doro/Skullfist @ Annex Wreckroom, Toronto ON, Sept 11, 2009
In my opinion Doro is the best female heavy metal vocalist of all time; it was a real gift just to catch her for the first time back in June 2007 – that show was amazing but seeing her for the second time was like winning the metal lottery.
Albert Mansour reviews the recent Toronto performance by German metal goddess Doro.