On the Local Front: 滅 Metsu

滅

Last night I was tipped off by a friend about a cool new Toronto band fresh on the scene... How fresh you may ask? Well their free EP As the Earth Drinks was posted online just over 15 hours ago. 滅 or Metsu (Japanese for 'destroy') are what I would call a 'post-metal' band... they are all about mood. While more 'traditional' metal goes straight for the kill, Metsu is a much different, much more subtle beast. Slowly getting into your head with lush atmospheric textures Metsu puts you at comfort gaining your trust and establishing confort and it is only then that they bring the pain. Expression from Metsu goes beyond rage and anger, they reflect a wider more ineffible range of human emotion. Metsu has ebb and flow. Download or stream their album free here to know exactly what I mean. I can also guarantee you will be of the first listeners to hear their sound.


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Rising: Sleigh Bells

In April of 2010 I had the pleasure of being present at the first Toronto performance by Brooklyn rock/electronic duo Sleigh Bells. Prior to their album release Sleigh Bells presence was limited to a rough demo circulating online featuring very lo-fi production with an extremely gated sound. I had wondered the degree of intent with this effect, as the recording sounded as though it just could not contain the music, a cool effect but bordering on, well shit.
Sleigh bells consists of Derek Miller, former guitarist from hardcore band Poison the Well and pop vocalist Alexis Krauss. The performance consisted of Krauss yelling over chopped up punk, rock and electro beats while Miller played as loud as fucking possible. It got loud.I had only hoped that this energy and pure volume could be translated back to a recorded medium and just months later the issues I had with the demo were reconciled with the release of the debut lp Treats. Loud, gated, but listenable. Since the release of Treats Sleigh Bells have garnered heaps of underground and mainstream exposure and have gone from playing the 200-300 cap club circuit to 1000+ venues. Sleigh Bells plays loud, no matter what your musical pedigree is you cannot dismiss their raw energy. Listen



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Deep Cut: Lorn - Tomorrow

Today we have another contemporary track coming from the underground. Possibly the furthest thing from metal or traditional notions of what rock is (thus far on this blog), today's artist Lorn uses vast rock imagery specificly the dark, threatening tropes familiar to the death metal and black metal world to create an affecting aural and visual experience. Lorn's music comes from a recent (late 2010-2011) underground music subculture that has been given various names such as drag or witchouse based on its combination of gothic iconography, looming ominous drones, and chopped and screwed hip hop beats. The video for Tomorrow is a spectacular example of a diy project that creates a consistent aesthetic in image and sound, sucessfully scaring the shit out of anyone who watches it. The video itself seems to be a cross between a gothic - pagan ritual and a late night rave verging on riotous anarchy. Lorn is successful at macabre and this video is just plain badass.

 

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Deep Cut: Health - We Are Water

Today's track from the deep end is our first contemporary cut, coming from LA experimental group Health. Health's unique sound could be considered a combination of noise, punk, hardcore, metal, electronica as well as something completely unique. The use of a Zoothorn, bypassing microphones through guitar pedals and other ad lib effects contribute to their sometimes atonal sonic textures. Health has released a well -received split album with Toronto synthpunk act Crystal Castles, and they held a slot opening for Nine Inch Nails in 2008. The track consists of escalating drums and shrieking that blends in and out of the guitar effect. The vocals are near inaudible and have a distant almost bitmapped texture. The song builds to a climax mirroring the horrific take on Little Red Riding Hood portrayed in the gore filled music video (directed by Eric Warheim of Tim & Eric). Just listen to it, and it will all make sense. * Warning not for the squeamish.

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Today's Deep Cut: Monobrow

Today's obscure track explores the theme of controversy in rock music. The track in focus is entitled 'Monobrow.' Lyrically the song could be considered tame in contrast to a vast majority of work spanning genres, while the song itself is a loud ebb with violent swells and vocal outburts, it still does not present anything too shocking to contemporary artists (though it is fairly progressive for '88). The major controversy deals with the name of the band. Rapeman. Formed by hardcore punk veteran Steve Albini of Big Black (also working with Nirvana, the Pixies and Cheap Trick among others), Rapeman was named in tribute of a bizarre Japanese comic book of the same name. Rapeman was often met with a barrage of protest on the basis of their band name alone, with allegedly supporting or glorifying rape and violence to women. While naming a band Rapeman may superficially seem to reinforce said allegations they could not be further from the truth (at least according to Albini), as feminist ideology has often been absorbed into the ethos of the punk movement, particularly hardcore (and the straight edge movement of the late 80's). Were the protesters wrong for misinterpreting tribute or satire? Was Rapeman in the wrong for exploiting a social taboo or were they in the right for doing so? Either way you look at it such controversy helps add to the appeal, allure and (even minor) publicity of a work... as well as providing the larger social function of discourse surrounding the issue itself (rape) and censorship and self expression.

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Made In Chile

Ever wondered what it would be like to open up for the mighty Iron Maiden? Well thanks to the thrash titans Exodus, who have been ripping up the metal world since 1985’s Bonded By Blood, we got an inside behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to support one of the most influential bands of all time. Filmed in Santiago, Chile as part of Maiden’s Final Frontier Tour, the video features discussions about the early days with Kirk Hammet, guest appearance by drumming beast Nick Barker, and a beyond-belief look at Maiden’s helicopter cam. A must-see for all metal maniacs!

-Posted by CORE Member Ian Rose 

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\m/ Upcoming Concerts \m/

2011 looks to be a promising year for metal, and here are some of the most epic, brutal, kick-ass events that you’re not going to want to miss!

 

Macabre, Hellacaust & Sepulchre

June 11, 2011

Doors @ 8:00 PM

Hard Luck - 812 Dundas St. W.

Toronto, ON

The Grim Scary Tour Hits Toronto

Kataklysm, Unleash The Archers, Nexortus & Pyrrah

June 16, 2011

Doors @ 7:00 PM

WreckRoom - 794 Bathurst St

Toronto, ON

Kataklysm first Toronto headline performance in support of Heavens Venom

Motley Crue with Poisen and New York Dolls

June 28, 2011

Doors @ 7:00 PM

Molson Amphitheater

Toronto, ON

Hate Eternal, Origin, Vital Remains & Abysal Dawn

July 7, 2011

Doors @ 7:00 PM

Annex WreckRoom

Toronto, ON

Mychildren Mybride, Impending Doom, A Bullet For A Pretty Boy, The Crimson Armada

July 12, 2011

Doors @ 7:00 PM

Annex WreckRoom

Toronto, ON

The Nocturnal Alliance Tour

Heavy T.O Two Day Metal Festival!!!

July 23-24, 2011

Downsview Park, Allen Road (After-show at Sound Academy on Sat)

Toronto, ON

The biggest metal gathering to ever come through Toronto, a two day massacre featuring the likes of: Motorhead,Children of Bodom, Slayer, Megadeth, Testament, Anthrax, Exodus, Rob Zombie, Opeth, Death Angel, Diamond Head and more!

Slaughter Survivors Tour

August 1, 2011

Doors @ 6:00 PM

WreckRoom

Toronto, ON

CONDUCTING FROM THE GRAVE, THE CONTORTIONIST, SCALE THE SUMMIT & More

The Summer Slaughter Tour 2011

August 9, 2011

Doors @ 3:00 PM

Sound Academy

Toronto, ON

Summer Slaughter Tour Returns To Toronto

Amon Amarth

August 12, 2011

Doors @ 8:00 PM

The Phoenix

Toronto, ON

An Evening With

Grave with Blood Red Throne

September 5, 2011

Doors @ 7:00 PM

Mod Club

Toronto, ON

Swedish Death Metal Legends

 

Enslaved, Ghost & Alcest

September 30, 2011

Doors @ 7:00 PM

Opera House

Toronto, ON

Cavalera Conspiracy with Lazarus A.D.

October 17, 2011

Doors @ 7:00 PM

Mod Club Toronto, ON 

DragonForce

October 20, 2011

Doors @ 7:00 PM

The Opera House

Toronto, ON

Exclusive Canadian Performance

Judas Priest with Black Label Society and Thin Lizzy

November 22^, 2011

Doors @ 6:00 PM

Air Canada Center

Toronto, ON

Do Not Miss Priest’s Farewell world tour(20 song setlist!)!!!! With legendary supporting acts!

Metal Report: New Opeth Album, Almost in Time

Swedish progressive metallers Opeth, possibly the one band keeping the spirit of 70’s prog-rock alive in extreme metal, will release their tenth album, "Heritage", on September 20 via Roadrunner Records. The CD was produced by Opeth vocalist/guitarist Mikael Åkerfeldt and was recorded earlier this year at Atlantis studios in Stockholm. Mixing duties were handled by Steven Wilson (PORCUPINE TREE) and Åkerfeldt himself. The Album comes out a couple months after Opeth’s appearance at the soon-to-be metal event of the year: Heavy T.O. Opeth will play day one of the event, set to take place at Downsview Park and includes such monolithic acts as Slayer, Megadeth, Anthrax, Exodus, Motorhead, Children of Bodom, Rob Zombie and a host of others. There is no doubt in my mind that the Mikael and the boys will be gracing us with at least one new song from the up and coming album. The band is also set to announce a full-blown North American tour in the coming days, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Toronto gets a full headlining act from these guys, something particularly for Opeth fans.

The album will be released as a standard version; as a special edition loaded with extras; as a box set exclusive to the Roadrunner and the band's own official Omerch webstore; and as a double LP. There is something for every Opeth fan, thanks to this variety of options.

"Heritage" track listing:

01. Heritage
02. The Devil's Orchard
03. I Feel The Dark
04. Slither
05. Nepenthe
06. Haxprocess
07. Famine
08. The Lines In My Hand
09. Folklore
10. Marrow Of The Earth

-Posted by CORE Member Ian Rose

 

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Black Monk Time

Today's deep cut comes from the Monks' 1966 album Black Monk Time. In a time usually associated with the begginings of psychedelic rock and sun-shinny, flower power optimism (that would come largely into focus by 1967's Montery Pop Festival) the Monks presented a much more disparaging tone.

Formed in 1964 by a group of American GI's stationed in Hamburg Germany the group began by following the template of contemporary British Invasion rock acts playing skiffle, rock n' roll and blues covers, not far off from the format of the Beatles at the time. It wasn't until a year later when the band met Walther Niemann and Karl-H.-Remy a pair of existentialist designers/luminaries that they appropriated their more provocative image and sound. Welcoming the influences of Niemann and Remy the group positioned themselve as a total antithesis of the Beatles. Adorning themselves in black Cassocks, cutting their hair short and shaving tonsures (bald spots), the group styled themselves literally as a grim middle earth monks. The Monks also wore rope nooses around their necks, a morbid symbol which was a reminder of 'the nooses worn by all humanity.' The Monks' sound consisted of a concious neglect of melody with a focus on repetitive tribal rhythym, with a mixture of shouting, singing & childlish vocals all of which were extremely repetitive. The lyrical content was a combination of dadaist absurdity, pensive social criticism and facetious handling of social taboo and serious subjects. Like all pioneer iconoclasts the Monks were met with 'mixed' reviews... for example one concert attendant in Hamburg attempted to strangle band leader Gary Burger for alleged blasphemy. While the Monks' may not have always met the warmest reception, there is a cult following that has stood as a testament to their genius, influence and contribution to the evolution of rock music. Vocal fans of the band include Jack White, Jello Biafra, Henry Rollins and many others.. Iggy and the Stooges would not have formed had Black Monk Time ceased to exist... And rock Legend has it that it wasn't until attending a 1966 Monk's concert in London that Hendrix was inspired to experiment with guitar feedback.

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Metal Gods at ‘American Idol’ Finale

Wouldn’t believe it if I didn’t see it with my own two eyes, Judas Priest performed at the ‘American Idol’ Finale. This instantly begs the question, is metal invading the main stream once again? While I wouldn’t pull out the hair spray and spandex just yet (thank god metal has changed over the years), there is definitely evidence to the theory. Zakk Wylde performed on ‘American Idol’ recently in support of contestant James Durbin, doing a shred-tastic version of Sammy Hagar’s ‘Heavy Metal’. The ever growing Heavy MTL festival has expanded to Heavy T.O, a 2-day all-star line-up of nothing but metal sure to become an annual event that will rival European metal festivals and give Canada a little Wacken of its own. It’s becoming pretty clear that metal is no longer just a sleeping giant, we are being recognized more and more by the mainstream media(thanks to Lady Gaga claiming her love for Maiden and Sabbath) but is this a good thing? Think about this, as you watch the mighty Priest deliver ‘Living After Midnight’ and ‘Breaking the Law’ with the aforementioned James Durbin, and let us know…is metal on the rise a good thing? Or should we stay on the outskirts of popularity?

 Priest is about to embark on their last world tour, with North American dates already announced with Black Label Society and Thin Lizzy as support. No Toronto date has yet been announced, but a second leg of the tour covering the East is expected to be announced shortly.

-Posted by CORE Member Ian Rose

 

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Movie Review: Lemmy

By Ian Rose

What can I say about the great Lemmy Kilmister that hasn’t already been said in his fifty year-plus career? Lemmy is God, the stuff of true legend, few could argue against it. Anybody that has ever rocked out, knowingly or not owes a lot of gratitude to the founding father of Rock N’ Roll. He was a roadie for Hendrix, he blew psychedelic minds with Hawkwind, and he dedicated his life to fast, loud, heavy as all hell music with Motorhead before thrash or punk where even musical terms. Most of all, Lemmy survived, with no compromising him and the boys of Motorhead have consistently pumped out albums nearly every year and toured the world for decades since 1975 with absolutely no signs of slowing down. 

As anybody that attended Lemmy’s most recent Toronto mass (held on February 26^th at the Kool Haus) will tell you, even at the tender age of 65 the icon does not skip a beat and delivers a note for note high paced show that can only come from Motorhead. To call him a senior seems almost heretical, but this rock n’ roll drill sergeant delivers more punch on stage then guys a third his age. So what makes this mutton chop supporting, Rickenbacker shredding, Jack Daniels guzzling, Marlboro smoking, slot-machine-playing-speed-freak with a voice of broken glass and a stripper on his lap, tick? Well luckily for us, directors Greg Olliver and Wes Orshoski embarked on a three year journey to get under the belly of the beast and give an insight to the man behind the mole.

 By no means an easy (or safe) task to create, I can say without a doubt that Lemmy provides a highly entertaining, thought provoking, badass roller coaster ride for anybody willing (or daring enough) to see it. The appeal of the documentary goes beyond the metal crowd. Lemmy is a cultural icon, and his life is the stuff of myth and lore. That is not to say that there aren’t a few surprises revealed throughout the film, showing both his bad to the bone on stage stature and his intelligent, philosophical, down to earth approach to life in general. From the opening scene of the Rock deity making fries (My God, he’s human?!) to sit down conversations with close friends and musicians, one thing is evident…Lemmy is Lemmy, there is not a fake bone in his body, and his persona is not an act, this man is the real deal. To support his case a star studded line up for metal alumni has come out to sing their praises, including everyone from Ozzy, Alice Cooper and Metallica to Dave Grohl, Joan Jett, Ice-T and Billy Bob Thornton.

At 116 minutes the movie leaves you feeling ready to take on the world, I literally felt my balls get bigger with every passing segment. The absolute treat comes in the form of the ‘Ultimate Badass Edition’, a 2 disc version loaded with hours upon hours of special features. I briefly decided to check out just one of them, and then hours later found myself up in the middle of the night having gone through only about half the content. The no-bull Motorhead Live bonus on the first disc gives a what-better-way-then-to-witness-it approach to the world of Lemmy by providing 8 live cuts of the trio performing at various locations. Disc two covers everything from the classic Clarke-Kilmister-Taylor line-up (and it’s very nice to see Fast Eddie and Phil the Animal involved in this project) to Lemmy rehearsing and performing with his disciples in Metallica. All this accompanied by features on his current band mates, Mikkey Dee and Phil Campbell, the infamous Road Crew, the dedicated Super Fans, Funny Stories from the man himself and a 747 load of others. Personal favorites would be Metallica performing as ‘The Lemmy’s’ in full costume for the frontman’s 50^th birthday, and a quick shot of a roadie passed out stage left during yet another ‘turn it up to 11’ Motorhead set.

The last of a dying breed, Lemmy is still here to wave the flag for everything that is authentic about rock n’roll. He never compromised, especially when the odds we’re stacked against him, he never gave up, even when diabetes tried to end his career. Lemmy is the embodiment of standing on your own two feet, and this documentary is an inspirational dedication to living true to yourself, and to not bending for anything but your own will. At a time when everything is either sugar coated or made up of horse manure, Lemmy has given us something to believe in, something that is true and honorable…and that is, without a doubt, exactly what we need.

-Posted by CORE Member Ian Rose

 

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