Reviews – Live

Katatonia

Katatonia / Cult of Luna / Intronaut / Tesseract @ The Opera House, Toronto ON, September 27, 2013

When you’re into foreign underground bands who are often slotted into short opening slots because they’re not widely known… well, you get used to enjoying one of your favs for about half an hour before the higher profile but sometimes less interesting headliners take to the stage. In the case of Katatonia and Cult of Luna’s co-headlining tour stop at the Opera House in Toronto this September, ‘interestingness’ wasn’t the issue. Nevertheless, openers Tesseract were the highlight of the night.

Anathema

Anathema / Alcest / Mamiffer @ The Opera House, Toronto ON, September 18th, 2013

I cannot speak for the whole audience attending Wednesday’s show, but from where I was standing that night there was a palpable sense of excitement in the minutes leading up to Anathema’s arrival on stage. For many, it was finally the long-awaited opportunity to see them deliver a full-band performance in Toronto. They did not disappoint.

Review by Jonathan Smith; Concert Photos by Adam Wills

Blood Ceremony / Biblical / Cauchemar @ Horseshoe Tavern, Toronto ON, September 14, 2013

“A smoke-filled backdrop and a barefoot bassist set the stage for vocalist/flautist/keyboardist Alia O’Brien to cast a spell over the crowd. Her seemingly effortless weaving between instruments, combined with undeniable natural charisma, made her a magnetic presence on stage.”

Danielle Griscti reviews the Toronto album release party by Blood Ceremony at the Horseshoe Tavern on Saturday, September 14th, which also featured Biblical and Cauchemar.

Decibel Magazine Tour 2013 @ Phoenix Concert Theatre, Toronto ON, May 31, 2013

“By this point in the night the press of bodies on the main floor was damn near suffocating. Coupled with the intense heat, it was a sweaty affair indeed. Hair flying and riffs flying faster, Cannibal Corpse set a blistering pace for their 90+ minute, 20 song set.”

Matt Hinch reviews the May 31st Toronto stop of the Decibel Magazine Tour, featuring Cannibal Corpse, Napalm Death, Immolation and Beyond Creation. Cannibal Corpse photos by Adam Wills

Opeth / Katatonia @ Guelph Concert Theater, Guelph ON, April 26, 2013

Hellbound Metal: “I was delighted when they opened the set with an excellent rendition of “The Devil’s Orchard”, but I was absolutely over the moon when they followed it up immediately with “Ghost of Perdition” and, this was a real shocker, “White Cluster” off Still Life. I wasn’t expecting anything that old to be played at all, so witnessing this live was a wonderful thing.”

Live review by Sean Palmerston; Special concert photos courtesy of Mike Bax / lithiummagazine.com