Katatonia, the Swedish kings of melodic gloom, are enjoying a couple of anniversaries in 2011. To celebrate, the band is playing a little more than a handful of headlining shows on the nights when current tour mates (and fellow Swedes) Opeth have decided to take some time off. Hellbounders Adam Wills and Laura Wiebe caught the fourth of seven such gigs scheduled in North America, crossing the border into New York State to see how our southerly neighbours would welcome one of our favourite bands.

“The attention Mares of Thrace have received has not only been deserved, but they’ve carried it with an incredible amount of grace. The doom-lady duo have taken their exposure and used it as motivation to become even better performers. Their sound, even at its most droning, is now more elegant, the explosions of energy more accurate and precise. They have retained an organic roar to the music, especially the immense “General Sherman,” which evokes blood pounding through a body.”

Live concert review by Natalie Zed, Photos by Adam Wills

Photo Gallery: Diamond Head live at Heavy T.O., as shot by Albert Mansour and Adam Wills

This weekend marks the first instalment of Heavy TO, Toronto’s spinoff of the previously visited Heavy MTL. Having attending the previous event in Montreal, I decided to stay a bit closer to home and catch the inaugural event here in Ontario. As I have done at the previous festivals, I’ll be live blogging throughout the weekend. Keep up, as this will be updated all weekend!

On July 9th, a special arts event happened in Toronto called The Wrecking Ball, which was half literary event, half metal show.

Hellbound’s Laura Wiebe was there to soak in the evening’s festivities, which featured poetry readings alongside live performances by the likes of Sylvus, Vilipend and Ein Traum.

All photography by Adam Wills.

During the month of June Adam Wills traveled to Clisson, France to go to the 2011 edition of Hellfest. Here is his recap of day one in words and pictures, including reviews of the performances by Church Of Misery, In Solitude, Primordial, Down, Morbid Angel and more.

Today’s staff interview is with Thunder Bay’s Jason Wellwood

Staff interview number nineteen is with Hamilton resident Jonathan Smith