Natalie Zed reviews the January 28th Toronto performance by Machine Head, Suicide Silence and Darkest Hour at the Sound Academy

“The entire floor of the Phoenix eventually became a pit, the area right on front of the stage was like a maelstrom, with little eddies and whirlpools breaking out all the way to the very back wall. The venue eventually threw the rear doors open to ease the infernal heat, and people’s bodies near the exit gave off visible steam when the cool air hit them. It was exhausting and sweaty and exultant, the most love concentrated into a single performance that I have seen in a long time. ”

Natalie Zed reviews the sold out performance by Lamb Of God at Toronto’s Phoenix on January 27th. Live photos by Adam Wills

Ghost haunts the Mod Club tomorrow nite with Blood Ceremony and Ancient VVisdom. No need to sell your soul–advanced tickets are just 15 bucks!

Well, it looks like two of my Top 10 made our overall Top 20 this year, which seems to be more or less on par with last year, if I recall correctly. Still have not heard that 40 Watt Sun album (Metal Blade dropped the ball on distribution, or what?), and I can’t believe that Progpeth took the top spot, with Mastodon not far behind. And here I thought we had more discriminating tastes at Hellbound… At least Lulu was nowhere to be seen!

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.

I gotta say, I’ve always been more of a Maiden man. Put it this way: I heard “2 Minutes to Midnight” before “Living After Midnight.” Well, maybe not, but the former made more of an impression on me. However, when Judas Priest announced their Epitaph farewell tour in the summertime, I didn’t think twice about getting a ticket–even though Kyuss Lives! went on sale the same day. Finally, after several months of waiting, the time has come for their final Toronto gig: Tuesday, November 22nd. I’ll be there with bells on.

An eclectic line up was the order of the night in Toronto at the Wreck Room. Prog metal legends Cynic with 3, Scale the Summit and a recently added The Ocean were to play this showcase of musical talent.

Ever wonder what would happen if you let a nine year old kid interview their favourite band? We over at Hellbound did, so we arranged for nine year old Sam Stewart-Panko to interview guitarists Sam Totman and Herman Li from his favourite band, Dragonforce. Here’s an interview you don’t want to miss.