FOR THE LOVE OF METAL
As December’s gift-buying chaos falls upon us, rest assured that shopping for your favourite metalhead doesn’t have to be a taxing chore. Whether you’re a bewildered dear one, a metal fan buying for a fellow metal lover, or looking for a treat for yourself, we Hellbounders have a few holiday shopping ideas that might make your task a little easier.
On November 14th the awesome double bill of CORROSION OF CONFORMITY and ROYAL THUNDER played just down the street from Hellbound HQ, performing an intimate show at Hamilton’s Corktown Pub. Here is a review of the night by Sean Palmerston, with cool black and white photography by Adam Wills.
“With tour line-ups so diverse – much like metal in general – it’s not that common to run into a show where every band demands your equal attention (in anticipation, if not necessarily in performance). But the Epic Kings and Idols tour might have been custom designed for a metalhead like me, and even without a perfect execution this one ranks high amidst my favourite concerts of the year.”
Live review by Laura Wiebe, concert photos by Adam Wills
On August 30th a terrific foursome of current folk metal acts descended on Toronto’s Opera House that included Korpiklaani, Moonsorrow, Tyr and Metsatoll. Laura Wiebe documents the evening’s activities, with live photography by Adam Wills.
“This show was a long time coming. A few years after making their Canadian debut in Hamilton, Hammers of Misfortune finally made it all the way to Toronto – and brought The Gates of Slumber with them to boot! These two combined made this a must see for me since I love both bands and had never seen TGOS live before. And what a show it was!”
Live review by Sean Palmerston; Live photos and video by Adam Wills
Mares of Thrace stopped in at Hamilton, ON’s This Ain’t Hollywood for a show earlier this month as part of their tour supporting new album The Pilgrimage. Here are some photos from that evening’s performance, as captured by Hellbound’s own Adam Wills.
“Most readers of Hellbound are probably familiar with the typical metal venue – sticky floors, questionable washrooms, a dimly lit stage, and a sound system that only the most experienced sound engineers can master. But every once in awhile, we get treated to a special show, where a venue has as much to do with the atmosphere as the performance itself. Saturday’s Heritage Hunter Tour stop in Toronto, which took place at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, was one of these rare occurrences, and believe me, this was indeed something special.”
Live review and photos by Adam Wills.
On February 8th the 2012 version of Gigantour touched down at Hamilton’s Copps Coliseum, featuring Megadeth, Motorhead, Volbeat and Lacuna Coil.
Live review by Sean Palmerston and concert photography by Adam Wills
Rob Kachluba reviews the February 6th Toronto performance by Iced Earth, Symphony X and Warbringer at the Phoenix Concert Theatre. Live photos by Adam Wills.
“The entire floor of the Phoenix eventually became a pit, the area right on front of the stage was like a maelstrom, with little eddies and whirlpools breaking out all the way to the very back wall. The venue eventually threw the rear doors open to ease the infernal heat, and people’s bodies near the exit gave off visible steam when the cool air hit them. It was exhausting and sweaty and exultant, the most love concentrated into a single performance that I have seen in a long time. ”
Natalie Zed reviews the sold out performance by Lamb Of God at Toronto’s Phoenix on January 27th. Live photos by Adam Wills