FOR THE LOVE OF METAL
Hellbound’s writers compared notes on the top albums of 2013, and though we didn’t always agree, we did manage to identify some areas of collective appreciation. And so… (drum roll) Here are the best ten metal albums of 2013, according to Hellbound. (The math never lies!)
“When I was asked by my friends in Fragile Existence to come out and try my hand at doing some video recording, I had no idea what I was in for with the rest of the night. It was only weeks later that I had a look at the headline for the bill… GORGUTS.. and realized the guardian angel of death metal was watching out for me.”
Live review and photos by Danielle Griscti
When the gods made heavy metal, it was the thunder issued from Bill Ward’s fists that set the scene, at least as equally as Tony Iommi’s lightning. You could not have had that demon birth with a lesser drummer at the helm. Mixing the satanic swing of jazz with sheer brute clobbering force, Bill Ward’s drumming turned the oldest form of long-distance communication into a manifesto of power. And a thousand children picked up sticks.
Hellbound’s Kyle Harcott in conversation with original Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward about his new art project, entitled Absence of Corners, and his upcoming musical releases.
Earlier this fall Hellbound’s Renee Trotier caught up with Skeletonwitch bassist Evan Linger after their recent show at Toronto’s Mod Club. Together they discuss the band’s new album Serpents Unleashed, touring, Canadian bands, horror movies, shampoo and who would win a wrestling match between a grizzly and a gorilla. Click the link for all of the action
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.
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
On October 8th former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett and his current band played two-and-a-half hours of classic Genesis material at Oakville’s Centre For the Arts. Here is Sean Palmerston’s recap of the night, with live photography by Albert Mansour.
“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.
On August 23 – 25 the Southern Ontario Metal Fest came to Hamilton’s Club Absinthe and Hellbound’s Laura Wiebe was there to soak it all in. Here is her recap of the festival, with live photography by Adam Wills.
“This is the music equivalent of a B-movie horror director gaining access to a budget and real special effects and using them to perfection. And at less than 40 minutes, it certainly doesn’t overstay its welcome.”
In his debut review for Hellbound.ca, writer William Seay reviews Necrocracy, the new 2013 album by California death metal outfit Exhumed