FOR THE LOVE OF METAL
Jonathan Smith reviews the Feb 26th Toronto performance by Cradle of Filth, Nachtmystium, Daniel Lioneye and Turisas. Live photos by Albert Mansour
I gotta say, the first black metal album I ever bought was Venom’s Black Metal, and I haven’t purchased many others since. Alas, to call Toronto trio Demontage a black metal band would be applying the word in its traditional sense, the way it was once used to describe Venom and Mercyful Fate.
“By the time they began their set, shortly after midnight, Dee’s was as packed as I have ever seen it. More than one of my fellow-concert goes expressed concern that the floor might collapse due to the size and ferocity of the stomping, screaming, appreciative crowd.”
Natalie Zed reviews the February 11th hometown album release party for CAULDRON at Toronto’s Sneaky Dee’s.
“The intense lighting, dominated by greens and purples lancing through the heavy smoke, gave the impression of the underworld crossed with an alien landscape. Their sound was massive and heavy, reverberating straight through me. Shagrath’s vocals were mixed quite low from where I was standing (front and centre), but the intense, symphonic instrumentation more than compensated.”
Natalie Zed absorbs the recent performance from Dimmu Borgir, Enslaved and more at Toronto’s Sound Academy on December 12th. Concert photos by Adam Wills.
“The moment the overture of “At the Edge of Time” began, the Kool Haus erupted. The audience was no longer a collection of discrete individuals; the room was suddenly occupied by a single entity, one cacophonous voice entirely at Blind Guardian’s mercy for the entire two-hour set. Very few shows can inspire this kind of intense, unifying energy, but this was such an event.”
Natalie Zed reviews the recent Toronto performance from power metal legends Blind Guardian, who were joined by Holy Grail and Seven Kingdoms.
“Vocalist Chance Garnett is a natural born frontman and knows how to entice a crowd. He paces back and forth, holding invisible oranges to the sky while guitarists Scott Hedrick and N8 Feet Under take turns demonstrating their fret board mastery.”
Hellbound’s Renee Trotier reviews the recent Hamilton, Ontario appearance by Skeletonwitch, supported by Landmine Marathon and Withered with photos by Adam Wills.
“As Darkest Hour vocalist John Henry pointed out: “Some of you have been supporting us all along, and some of you here tonight weren’t even born when we started out! That’s crazy!” While they definitely seemed more interested in hosting a celebration (with as many circle pits as possible) than performing a perfectly programmed and orchestrated set, their performance was definitely entertaining and their musicianship tight.”
Natalie Zed reviews the November 17th appearance by Darkest Hour, Veil of Maya, Periphery and Revocation at Toronto’s Mod Club.
Hellbound readers, we’re sure that by now you are all familiar with our Natalie Zed, right? Natalie was our big grand prize winner way back in January, taking home more than 50 CDs + and shortly after she received her huge box ‘o CDs, Ms. Zed asked us over at Hellbound HQ if we’d be interested in running reviews of her winnings if she did postcard sized reviews of the albums. How could we say no?
Well, with her last installment (reviews #41 – 48 for those keeping stats at home) Ms Zed actually finished up her prize and has now started to review newer CDs. So, without further adieu here is part 6 in what Hellbound likes to refer to as “Postcards From Natalie Zed”…
“This past Wednesday, Toronto was treated with a live performance from Canada’s own, Devin Townsend. Easily the most charismatic and photogenic front man that I’ve had the pleasure of shooting, Devin put on one of the most memorable performances that I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing.”
Hellbound’s Adam Wills visually documents Devin Townsend’s appearance in Toronto this past Wednesday at Toronto’s Mod Club.
Above all, I was profoundly impressed by how satisfying it was to sing along to their music with a room full of rabidly passionate metalheads. It felt like I was participating in a kind of full-contact crowd karaoke, especially during “The Heart Collector” and “Inside Four Walls.””
Natalie Zed documents Nevermore’s recent visit to Toronto accompanied by Warbringer and Blackguard.