When Napalm Death made their much-anticipated trek across Canada last fall, I set my sights on sitting down with vocalist Barney Greenway, as he’s someone I’ve long admired as an elder statesman among forward-thinking, politically-minded metalheads. With the now-released new Napalm album Utilitarian still a few months from release, Mr. Greenway and I sat down to chat on the date of their Vancouver stop, last October 27th, over an undrunk cup of tea at Hastings & Main’s Ovaltine Café…

Interview by Kyle Harcott

INTO ETERNITY is one of the headliners at this weekend’s Manitoba Metalfest in Winnipeg MB along with SUFFOCATION and UNTIMELY DEMISE. It will also be one of their first shows with new lead vocalist Amanda Kiernan, who also fronts Edmonton’s THE ORDER OF CHAOS. Here is a review of TOOC’s latest album Burn These Dreams, as well as an interview with Amanda about both bands, done by Hellbound’s own Jason Wellwood.

On Thursday I had a chance to speak to Mike Dean of the recently reunited Corrosion of Conformity about their excellent upcoming self-titled album that will be released on Candlelight Records. We had a nice chat while he walked his dogs, chatting about making the new album, how the band got together again as a trio and about being a metal musician for thirty years.

Right from the beginning though it is obvious that Joe Thrasher not only want to make you bang your head, they want you to remember these songs for a long time.

Fortunately, it seems that quite a few bands that used to play that Bloor Street dive have moved on to the 460 now. A much better location, if you ask me–College and Spadina, literally right next to the El Mocambo. Mind you, there’s really no comparison between the ElMo and this hole in the wall, for better or for worse.

At just under half an hour, This Machine Is Driving is almost not enough but at the same time it’s the perfect length. It makes you want to leave it on repeat, though continued listening may force you in to the shower several times a day.

Whenever possible, Hellbound tries to get you the scoop on everything new and noteworthy in metal, but sometimes things slip through the cracks. Redemption at the Puritan’s Hand, originally released in April, was one of them. However, this album’s moment has not passed. It looms large, presiding like a revered elder over everything else released in 2011.

The Oracle is a solid, if occasionally jarring album and a terrific next step for All Else Fails.