Natalie Zed reviews the June 21st Toronto performance by Corrosion of Conformity, Torche, Black Cobra and Gaza at the Opera House. Live photos by Albert Mansour

By Natalie Zed
Every once in a while there is a concert line-up that makes you do a double take. The bands are so perfect for each other and the show so expertly curated that you almost can’t believe that it is going to happen. This line-up was exactly that almost-too-good-to-be-true show: three excellent bands with complementary aesthetics, all of whom I’ve been following for a while and actively looking forward to seeing live. My expectations for this show were astronomically high, but the stellar performances the crowd at the Hard …

“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

“It promised to be an epic night. With a good portion of Hellbound West (Rob Hughes/Cara Cross/yours truly) in the house, plus Mr. Palmerston representing the eastern faction, there was a definite buzz in the air for this showcase gig from local faves Ancients. On the cusp of putting out their reportedly-megalithic debut full-length, Ancients rented the Rickshaw for the night, brought a few friends’ bands along for the ride, and drew a pretty good crowd for their showcase.”

Live review by Kyle Harcott, except where noted. Concert photography by Ted Reckoning

Review and photos by Justin Richardson
Even though the golden era of power metal has been over for years now, the double bill of Symphony X and Iced Earth can do nothing but excite someone who remembers that period fondly. From the virtuosity of Symphony X’s Michael Romeo to the precision rhythm of Iced Earth’s Jon Schaffer and the retro energy of young thrash revivalist openers Warbringer, this ticket was bound to be a lot of fun. And on a chilly Tuesday I made the trip to Charlotte, North Carolina to …

However controversial and dark, Mayhem is still incredibly important aesthetically and culturally. It’s also relatively rare the the band successfully crosses borders, making this a rare Canadian appearance.

Vital and blistering on stage, and with a new album scheduled for February release, Napalm Death laid waste the Rickshaw and Vancouver’s grind-starved crowd.

Natalie Zed reviews the September 22nd performance by Evergrey, Sabaton and Powerglove at Toronto’s Opera House.