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Deep Purple

Deep Purple @ Hamilton Place, Hamilton ON, February 13, 2012

“Veteran hard rockers Deep Purple are either insane or still some of the hardest working musicians in show business – there is no other explanation to describe their decision to tour Canada coast to coast in February. Even the most grizzled tour dogs usually avoid going nationwide in our frozen home and native land, but with its members now well into their sixties the quintet stopped down in my current hometown, Hamilton ON, for an early week show on Monday, February 13th that was nearly halfway through their Canadian only tour.”

Live review by Sean Palmerston; Concert photos by Albert Mansour

Murder In The Front Row – Shots From The Bay Area Thrash Metal Epicenter

A beautiful full-colour, hardcover affair, this perfect-bound 270-plus page coffee table piece is as extravagant and captivating as it is compelling, informative and exciting. From essays by the authors/cameramen to reflective contributions from genre mainstays including Robb Flynn, Alex Skolnick and Gary Holt, there’s an inescapable air of enthusiasm, adoration and importance to Murder In The Front Row.

Voivod – To the Death 84

Despite the rough-hewn quality of the demo’s performances and recording, it reveals that the essence of Voivod was present at the outset. While in 1984 it seemed unlikely that these four rivet-heads from Jonquiere would become prog-metal pioneers, it was obvious from the abrasive, alien nature of Voivod’s early material that this band was truly a breed apart.

Blue Coupe – Tornado On The Tracks

I’d love to say that Tornado on the Tracks blew me away, but it didn’t. It’s definitely catchy and a good listen, but it’s a lot more mellow and not quite as memorable as I had hoped. I think it’s a good first step for the band, hopefully this will result in further albums from the band as the talent is definitely there, it just didn’t come out in these songs.

Scorpions – Comeblack

All in all, Comeblack is a pretty good record, it’s not going to take the place of the classics but it’s a pretty awesome way to let those of us who never saw the latest incarnation hear how things would have sounded.

A tale of two tours…

In case you missed the last episode of Days of our Black Sabbath, the band has pulled out of all but one of its upcoming European dates, citing Tony Iommi’s health issues. Meanwhile, drummer Bill Ward issued a public statement that he still wants to take part in the reunion, but is still waiting for a signable contract…