I'm using this segment as a means to explore acts and releases that may well have slipped under the radar. Thankfully there's so much metal out there that it's quite daunting for any fan to try to keep up. These are going to be shorter than usual reviews utilizing a Straight to the Point view on style and whatever else immediately grabs my attention that I deem important, but have no fear If I don't like it I won't BS and will certainly not sugar coat my opinion.
If there was ever a reason to visit Canada then this is it (in my opinion) what better way to enjoy a place you’ve never been (just me?) than to surround yourself in a family, friendly metal hordes, atmosphere where everyone enjoys much the same interests. As an additional bonus the event is held in the summer a great way to escape the heat, especially if like yours truly you call the sweltering, dustbowl of the desert your home. For more information, visit the site below and stay connected with their Facebook for the newest information regarding new attendees and events in the area. Below are just a handful of those attending, acts that display various styles and diverse influences. What are you waiting for…
DropDeadFred - 6/9/14
Rel- June/9/2014
Label; Independent
(place of origin; British Columbia)
Rel- June/9/2014
Label; Independent
(place of origin; British Columbia)
Admittedly this act garnered my immediate attention, above all others, due to a raucous movie (based upon pesky imaginative friends) of the same name featuring Rik Mayall and Phoebe Cates in the 90’s. The music is very fluid, pleasing, melodic deathcore attack sans all the frilly breakdowns and annoyances acts in the same genre often bring to the table.
Solid musicianship and vocals with excellent atmosphere add to this releases overall appeal.
Solid musicianship and vocals with excellent atmosphere add to this releases overall appeal.
4.5 out of 5 Horns Up!
Black Wizard – New Waste
Rel- January/29/2016
Label; Listenable Records
(place of origin; British Columbia)
Rel- January/29/2016
Label; Listenable Records
(place of origin; British Columbia)
Stoner rock with a doom edge and a NWOBHM influence is the order of the day here. Fans of Mastadon, Baroness and The Sword will enjoy the hell outta this release as am I oddly enough as my normal go-to genre is at the more extreme end of the metal spectrum.
Emotional with progressive elements, mellow at times yet always intriguing and interesting this is a fantastic example of the genre and a great find.
Emotional with progressive elements, mellow at times yet always intriguing and interesting this is a fantastic example of the genre and a great find.
All 5 Horns Up!
Leave the Living – Pacifist
rel–May/1/2015
Label; Independent
(place of origin; Red Deer; Alberta)
rel–May/1/2015
Label; Independent
(place of origin; Red Deer; Alberta)
Blistering riffs and a hold-no-punches brutal in-your-face assault fuels this release and the vicious style LtL offer. Hardcore-esque vocals (think Pantera, Lamb of God) with a pissed aura complement this feel and the message (of standing up for your rights) the band wish to convey.
A release with an overall vibe that’s sure to set an incendiary pit ablaze.
A release with an overall vibe that’s sure to set an incendiary pit ablaze.
4 out of 5 Horns Up!
Trollband – Samsara
rel- August/17/2013
Label; Independent
(place of origin; Alberta-British Columbia)
rel- August/17/2013
Label; Independent
(place of origin; Alberta-British Columbia)
Music with a diverse spectrum of pace, angelic chants and a pagan instrumental vibe, sounds strange but it works! With the inclusion of vocals that seem digitally altered the album has a strange feel overall though is still intriguing and not at all what one might think when they hear the term ‘black metal’.
A fantastic mixture of black and pagan/folk styles which remains catchy throughout.
A fantastic mixture of black and pagan/folk styles which remains catchy throughout.
Revenger – To the Wolves
rel- November/11/2014
Label; Independent
(place of origin; Vancouver - British Columbia)
rel- November/11/2014
Label; Independent
(place of origin; Vancouver - British Columbia)
From the very first note this album grabbed my attention. Pounding drums, driving riff-tastic thrash, often mid paced and groove laden, with traditional heavy metal and hardcore undertones that’s heavy in melody and a vocalist whose range doesn’t, thankfully, include falsetto.
This is crowd pleasing stuff indeed, expect huge things in this acts future!
This is crowd pleasing stuff indeed, expect huge things in this acts future!
4.5 out of 5 Horns Up!
Cryptic Enslavement - Ascension of Abhorrence Ep
rel- October/4/2014
Label: BrutalReign Production
Re-issue coming soon!
(place of origin; Nanaimo - British Columbia)
rel- October/4/2014
Label: BrutalReign Production
Re-issue coming soon!
(place of origin; Nanaimo - British Columbia)
Unapologetic slamming death metal brutality here folks!
Vocals seemingly pulled from the very bowels of the gutter accompanies swirling shredding flesh riffs and a constant punishing barrage upon tightened skins to lend this release a formidable/ferocious edge.
Sick stuff indeed certainly not meant for any newcomers who might happen to stumble into the darkest realms of the metal universe.
Vocals seemingly pulled from the very bowels of the gutter accompanies swirling shredding flesh riffs and a constant punishing barrage upon tightened skins to lend this release a formidable/ferocious edge.
Sick stuff indeed certainly not meant for any newcomers who might happen to stumble into the darkest realms of the metal universe.
4 out of 5 Horns Up!
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What do you think metalheads? Cult convince you to start checking out travel to the Armstrong Metal Fest? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
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