While early June promises to be punishing, it’s worth noting for those who are stuck in the city this long weekend that Oxbow is playing Toronto tonight. For the first time. Ever.

You gotta love a city whose major concert hall changed its name to match the fictional venue where Spinal Tap performed in the legendary mockumentary. Alas, beer is probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think Milwaukee–or maybe zoo animals, if you’re into that–but it does have a bit of metal history as well…

Hellbound Metal: These guys may not be reinventing the wheel, but as practitioners of the world’s oldest profession, I can dig their modern take on classic rock… ¡Chinga tu madre!

Alas, when I saw Ghost the first time around, they only had the debut album to draw from. I was quite surprised at how many kids were both moshing and singing along to the likes of “Elizabeth” and “Satan’s Prayer,” but their performance didn’t strike such a chord with me….

Hellbound Metal: In any case, they might have flown under the radar for some time, but this album proves that if you sleep on this Indy outfit, well, payback is a bitch.

A new album is always a welcome sight from this longstanding Maryland doom trio

First thing I thought when I woke up this morning was “Hey, it’s Record Store Day!” No, not Hitler’s Birthday, the Columbine Massacre Anniversary, the day Black Sabbath tickets go on sale (I got mine on Thursday via presale–33rd row floors) or even that day when everybody gathers in a park to smoke pot. Apparently, purchasing vinyl is now more important to me than smoking marijuana. I think I’m becoming a square, maaaaan!

So when U.D.O. first announced his North American solo tour back in January, I knew I had to be there. I’ve had the opportunity to see Accept three times since their 2010 reunion, but I’ve never seen the original voice of Accept. And that’s no knock on Mark Tornillo, who has filled in admirably in both the vocal and the height department…