by Jay H. Gorania
I was beyond stoked to see the complete original Black Sabbath line-up in Dallas (with Pantera opening, no less!) in 1999. Just prior to Sabbath’s set, the female half of a middle-aged couple showed their racist inclination for no apparent reason in the midst of a pleasant conversation. Looking me up and down, obviously noticing my dark complexion, she said, “You’re what they call a transplant.” I believe what she meant was “immigrant” or “foreigner.” I’m not overly sensitive, so it didn’t really bother me.
When the four …

“Although I did see the inaugural version of Paganfest, I’ve missed the rest throughout the past few years due to whatever reason. Sometimes the tour date didn’t come quite close enough and sometimes it was a job issue. But with the lineup for this year’s show being pretty awesome and the measly one hour drive requirement to get to the show, I felt the only choice was to go and get my metal on.”

Live review and photos by Justin Richardson

Another edition of thought-provoking book reviews from our Irish based correspondent Steve Earles. Please enjoy!

Adrien Begrand reviews the May 4th Saskatoon performance by Untimely Demise, Grand Master, Mares of Thrace and Agony Spawn at Amigos.

“Converge are an overwhelming band to see live, vicious, visceral and breathtaking. The set quickly settled into a hard, driving rhythm, and the entire audience was carried along by it, compelled, possessed – taken. It can be difficult to talk about music and sexuality in a way that isn’t sensationalizing or reductive, but there is no question that the sheer aural force of Converge is an intense experience that borders on the erotic.”

Natalie Zed reviews the April 6th Toronto performance by Converge, Burning Love, Loma Prieta and Vilipend