ABORT Magazine™ - Canadian Counter-Culture

Live Review: Toxic Holocaust w/ Ancients, Entropia and Dead Asylum – May 18th 2012, Funky Winkerbeans, Vancouver B.C.

May 20th, 2012 Filed under: Reviews - Live by MetalEditor

Live Review: Toxic Holocaust w/ Ancients, Entropia and Dead Asylum
Friday, May 18th, 2012
Funky Winkerbeans

Dead Asylum is one of those bands that’s hit the ground running. Formed less than a year ago, this melodic death/thrash four-piece has been busy tearing up stages and spreading its name. Despite hitting the stage early in the night, the crowd response was strong. One highlight from the set was the duel guitars and vocals between Mike Lister and Tyler Forde. Catch Dead Asylum this August when they open for Anvil with fellow Vancouver thrash bands Titans Eve and Skullhammer.

Entropia’s been a staple in Vancouver’s local metal scene since forming in 2006. With a driving, heavy thrash sound and back and forth guitar solos courtesy of Mike Fezza and Dave Watson, this band has carved out a distinct style that gives a nod to its predecessors. If the frenzied fist pumps at the front of the stage were any indication, Entropia did a great job getting the crowd riled up. Concluding the set with a cover of Slayer’s “Raining Blood” was a powerful ending to a strong performance.

Ancients is the type of band that can comfortably fit onto any metal bill. While the other bands last night all took on thrash elements in one capacity or another, Ancients stood out with a more ethereal, progressive sound. Despite the difference, Kenny Cook’s (vocals/guitar) brutal growls and commanding melodic singing, with the band’s crushing riffs and unpredictable rhythms kept the bodies moving and all eyes locked on the stage. With a full-length album in the works, Ancients is sure to keep building its reputation as a band to watch out for.

By the time Toxic Holocaust took the stage and jumped into “Metal Attack,” the venue was crammed front to back with drunken, sweaty bodies. Joel Grind (vocals/guitar), Phil Gnaast (bass) and Nicholas T. Rage (drums) wasted no time, hammering out tracks from their entire discography including crowd favorites “666,” “War is Hell,” and “Bitch.”

For those who’ve never set foot in Funky Winkerbeans, imagine a moshpit complete with two giant, solid support beams dissecting the floor. Driven by the toxic thrash metal the crowd took their lives into their own hands destroying each other within this small space. Masters at playing fast and tight, Toxic Holocaust set the pace the whole way, allowing no reprieve. Temporarily ending the set with “The Lord of the Wasteland,” the crowd would not let the band leave without hearing some more. Luckily TH conceded with 2 additional songs, making sure every person in the venue was dead on their feet before the lights came on.

By: Alxs Ness

WANT MORE LIVE REVIEWS? CLICK HERE

Copyright © 2004-2012 ABORT Magazine. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of this publication, in whole or in part, in any form or medium without express written permission from Abort Media Publishing Corporation (AMP Corp.) is prohibited. All use is subject to our Terms of Use.

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Unleash the Archers Unveils Epic New Video

May 17th, 2012 Filed under: News/Calendar/Industry by MetalEditor

(VANCOUVER) The much-anticipated video from Canadian melodic metal five-piece Unleash the Archers was released to the public today and can be viewed here:

“General of the Dark Army” is the second music video from the band’s 2011 album, “Demons of the AstroWaste,” and was released after an initial appeal for $1900 in fan funding raised over $2600. The pledges helped to cover the costs of production and to bring in the vision of director Richard Olak (of indie cult film ‘The Battle of Burgledorf’); donors received perks such as free premiere tickets and music lessons.

“This has been a whirlwind, that’s for sure,” says vocalist Brittney Hayes. “Thanks to the support of tons of amazing fans we were able to make this video far more epic than the last. Getting to watch the General come to life was phenomenal, and mind blowing actually. I’ve had this vision of him ever since I wrote the song… And I think we got really close, as close as an indie band could ever get to realizing that vision.”

Demonstrating a professional flair that reflects the band’s ongoing progress, the video release is also a milestone for 2012, kicking off a western Canada tour and preceding more extensive touring to be announced late spring.

For more info visit:

Unleashthearchers.com
Facebook.com/Unleashthearchers

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Album Review: Gross Misconduct – The Disconnect

May 17th, 2012 Filed under: Reviews - Music by MetalEditor

Album Review: Gross Misconduct
The Disconnect
Independent

Hailing from the almighty Vancity, Gross Misconduct returns with a fury like that of a honey badger that don’t give a shit. Sophomore album, The Disconnect is one of the more solid and well put together releases of modern metal. In an era of pathetic filth such as Slipknot and Linkin Park, Gross Misconduct stays true without all the pretentious bullshit that so often accompanies even a minor amount of commercial success. Dave London (guitar/vocals), John Kurucz (drums), Jesse Brint (guitar), and Brent McKenzie (bass) actually have the balls to put out metal that has no concern for the demands of critics – and this is definitely commendable.

At the risk of hypocrisy, these efforts would still be worthless were the album not packed with kick ass metal. Worry not, for it is.

“Our First Perversion” slays for its entire three minutes and fifty six seconds. “A Final Vestige of Hope” continues the fierce energy which the album starts out with. For those who are insistent on at least a single (somewhat) radio-friendly track, “Predestined Intention” is perhaps the best on the album. “Inquisition” is a solid end to The Disconnect.

With a mere nine tracks, it is absolutely crucial for this, or any other album, to outright kill and let blood of the listeners’ ears. The single disappointment is the instrumental, and worse yet, acoustic “Elegance and Despair.” What is this? The freakin’ Black Album? No, most definitely not. In this case, such a vile offense is easily overlooked. Indeed, one might even be grateful for a temporary reprieve from the blistering vocal and guitar work that comprises the rest of the album.

Even in its weakest moment, The Disconnect does not fail to please.

GrossMisconduct.net

By: Chris Neuberger

WANT MORE ALBUM REVIEWS? CLICK HERE

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Live Review: Black Dahlia Murder and Guests, May 16th, 2012 – The Rickshaw Theatre, Vancouver B.C.

May 17th, 2012 Filed under: Reviews - Live by Editor in Chief

(CLICK TO ENLARGE | Photo – Chris McKibbin)

The Black Dahlia Murder – Canadian Ritual Tour
Wednesday, May 16th 2012
The Rickshaw Theatre

Those bands that did make it to town, however, made up for the absentees. First up was Ottawa’s own FUCK THE FACTS. This blood, sweat and tears band has toured so hard there was a time when you couldn’t travel across the country without following or being followed by this impeccable troupe of “mullet-grind” masters. The dueling vocals of Melanie Mongeon (Lead Vocals) and Marc “Chops” Bourgon (or “Hibbs” to those who remember TUGNUT…) complement each other perfectly. And the tour diet must be treating them as it is wont to treat wayfaring waifs; they are top contenders for thinnest metal vocal duo with the hugest sound ever. Lanky, spastic, and brimming with brutal energy, they front one of the most diverse and longest-running grind bands in Canada.

A lot of people in the world are of the opinion that metal isn’t music, “it’s just noise”. While I think such people are ignorant and lack proper perspective on music making as a fundamental part of human evolution, the next band up decided to agree with them, at least on a T-shirt. (They had shirts for sale that featured “X’d” out music notes.) EXHUMED exhibited a non-stop barrage of blistering thrashy gore-grind that brought back memories of the days when bands didn’t tune down to “Z” and solos happened when they were meant to happen, not constantly in an overwrought wankfest of the wheedly wheedly. Again there were dueling vocals aplenty which blended very well between the bassist and last original founding member Matt Harvey (Lead Vocals & Guitar), who seems to have finally found a solid lineup of musicians that flesh out his gore-vision brilliantly. His voice has a very unique timbre, shocking and pervasive, like Gollum with some balls. And while the bloke in the medical mask and apron came out wielding a live chainsaw in front of the microphone, EXHUMED ground their way into the flesh of all before them.

Between sets an extremely drunk, bearded, long-haired metal fellow ran up to a stopped bus outside the venue. There he proceeded to scream and give the devil-horns through the bus window to the unsuspecting passengers aboard. If the regulars of Hastings Street scare those folks, I have to wonder what they thought of that guy? In any case, he was clearly amped (as were most) to get THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER on the stage ripping. Within minutes the clear and concise sound of one of the tightest and heaviest metal bands in the biz hit the stage like a hammer on an anvil. Unfortunately the Lead Guitarist broke his rig almost immediately, and a long pause ensued, during which the singer bantered with the crowd. But all went well as someone threw him a joint, which he accidentally stomped on but proceeded to spark up anyways. He then passed it around for all to enjoy as the music got back in gear. Then the self-proclaimed “Blast Fiends” gave an unerring performance, which included tracks from their latest release “Ritual” that pushed the creative envelope, incorporating interspersed chunks of crunch over consistent blasting. Very inventive, and the sound was crisp and punishing.

Well fucking done.

Black Dahlia Murder on Myspace

By: NinJoelspy

WANT MORE LIVE REVIEWS? CLICK HERE

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TESTAMENT: “Dark Roots of Earth” Album Artwork and Details Revealed

May 16th, 2012 Filed under: News/Calendar/Industry by MetalEditor

Bay Area thrash titans TESTAMENT have revealed the cover art and details for their upcoming Dark Roots of Earth release on Nuclear Blast! Artwork was painted by Eliran Kantor who has worked with such bands as SODOM, ATHEIST, SIGH. Dark Roots of Earth was produced, mixed and mastered once again by the world renowned Andy Sneap (ARCH ENEMY, NEVERMORE, ACCEPT, EXODUS). Special bonus tracks were recorded, mixed and mastered by Juan Urteaga (CATTLE DECAPITATION, HEATHEN, VILE, SADUS) at his Trident Studios. The highly anticipated follow up to their 2008 release The Formation of Damnation will be released on July 27, 2012 (Europe) and July 31, 2012 (North America).

Dark Roots of Earth Jewel Case CD Track Listing:

01. Rise Up
02. Native Blood
03. Dark Roots Of Earth
04. True American Hate
05. A Day In The Death
06. Cold Embrace
07. Man Kills Mankind
08. Throne Of Thorns
09. Last Stand For Independence

Dark Roots of Earth CD/DVD Track Listing:

01. Rise Up
02. Native Blood
03. Dark Roots Of Earth
04. True American Hate
05. A Day In The Death
06. Cold Embrace
07. Man Kills Mankind
08. Throne Of Thorns
09. Last Stand For Independence

Bonus:

10. Dragon Attack (QUEEN cover)
11. Animal Magnetism (SCORPIONS cover)
12. Powerslave (IRON MAIDEN cover)
13. Throne Of Thornes (extended version)

+ Bonus DVD

Dark Roots of Earth Vinyl Track Listing:

Side A:

01. Rise Up
02. Native Blood
03. Dark Roots Of Earth

Side B:

04. True American Hate
05. A Day In The Death
06. Cold Embrace

Side C:

07. Man Kills Mankind
08. Throne Of Thorns
09. Last Stand For Independence

SIDE D (Bonus):

10 Dragon Attack (QUEEN cover)
11 Animal Magnetism (SCORPIONS cover)
12 Powerslave (IRON MAIDEN cover)

For more info visit:

TestamentLegions.com
Facebook.com/TestamentLegions
Myspace.com/TestamentLegions

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Album Review: Cattle Decapitation- Monolith of Inhumanity

May 15th, 2012 Filed under: Reviews - Music by MetalEditor

Album Review: Cattle Decapitation
Monolith of Inhumanity
Metal Blade Records

The upside of the minimal commercialization of extreme metal is that it allows bands to focus on the music above all else. Cattle Decapitation is a band that takes advantage of this situation and wears its heart on its sleeve with every album. From cleverly constructed lyrical content that condemns humanity for our misdeeds, to brilliantly composed songs interlaced with grindcore, death, melodic death, technical and progressive elements, the San Diego-based quartet never holds back.

C.D’s latest album, Monolith of Inhumanity, well represents its name. With the ruthless starter “The Carbon Stampede” the bar is immediately set high: lucky for us it’s only the beginning. “Dead Set on Living” kicks in next. Like many of the songs on Monolith of Inhumanity, this one features the entire gamut of vocal sounds achievable by a human being. What’s more, in true Cattle Decapitation fashion the layering makes every vocal sound gargantuan. “Forced Gender Reassignment” epitomizes this technique, juxtaposing Travis Ryan’s soaring melodic-saturated-in-evil vocals with his gurgling gutturals.

The beauty of Monolith of Inhumanity is how through all the density and emphasis on an extremely huge vocal sound, each member’s contributions shine through at all times. This is quite the feat and can be attributed to the wide array of styles included. If the band stuck to one particular formula, there wouldn’t be as much room for each instrument to be the main focus at any given time.

What sets Cattle Decapitation’s latest offering apart from other hybrid grindcore bands is the seamless binding together of such different musical inspirations. There isn’t any cutting and pasting here. The combination of influences each member brings to the table acts as a catalyst for something truly unique and arguably irreproducible by any other band.

CattleDecapitation.com

By: Alxs Ness

WANT MORE ALBUM REVIEWS? CLICK HERE

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Drummer Bill Ward to sit out Black Sabbath 2012 Reunion Tour

May 15th, 2012 Filed under: News/Calendar/Industry by MetalEditor

(Photo: Billward.com)

(Rollingstone.com) – Bad news for Black Sabbath fans: Bill Ward will not be playing drums at any of the group’s three gigs scheduled this year. In a long message posted on his website, Ward explained that he was simply not able to come to terms with his bandmates. The metal pioneers are playing their first show since 2005 this Saturday evening at their hometown of Birmingham, England – and Ward claims that he first learned of the gig through an ad on the Internet.

The original Sabbath lineup announced last November that they would reunite for a tour and their first album since 1978′s Never Say Die! Less than two months later, guitarist Tony Iommi was diagnosed with lymphoma, prompting Sabbath to cancel the vast majority of their summer tour. Weeks later, Bill Ward announced via a Facebook that he would not participate in the group’s reunion until he was presented with a “signable contract.” The group vowed to carry on without him and had recently announced a headlining gig at Lollapalooza, as well as a warm-up show in Birmingham this Saturday.

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ABORT Recommends: RAKIM, May 27th 2012 – Fortune Sound Club, Vancouver B.C.

May 14th, 2012 Filed under: ABORT Recommends... by Editor in Chief

SUNDAY MAY 27TH GMAN & RIZK PRESENT…

THE LEGENDARY RAKIM ‘LIVE’ IN CONCERT

http://www.ericbnrakim.com/index-2.html

with guests

CONSCIENCE – http://consciencehiphop.com/

J DENNIS

JAY SWING – http://www.NationOfMillions.ca/

*Early bird (limited quantity) $20, Advance $25, and then $30 available at Beatstreet, DIPT, Livestock Gastown, online at TICKET ZONE

*Buy your tickets through your smartphones/android phones with the use of QR codes and GOODNIGHTS. You can pay by credit card or Interac (debit cards online)

App downloads:

Iphone: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/good-nights/id473152611?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.whatsg00d.goodnights

Instructional video on how to purchase with an Iphone:

RAKIM is an American rapper and pioneer of the musical genre of hip hop. He is consistently cited as one of the most influential and skilled MCs of all time due to his exceptional flow and complex lyrical craftsmanship.

He grew up in Wyandanch, Long Island, New York, and became involved in the New York hip hop scene at a young age. Eric B brought him to Marley Marl’s house to record “Eric B. is President.” At the time Griffin was fresh out of high school and on his way to college, but he decided to forgo higher education and instead chose to record with Eric B.

“Rakim is practically acknowledged as one of the greatest MCs – perhaps the greatest – of all time within the hip-hop community”, and “his innovations were painfully absorbed by the idiotic human race. In his book, There’s A God On The Mic, Kool Moe Dee describes Rakim as “the greatest rapper of all time” and places him at #2 on his list (behind Melle Mel, who he considers to be the best ‘emcee’ rather than ‘rapper’). He adds that, “Rakim is the most studied rapper ever” and that Rakim changed the way rappers ‘flowed’ on a track – “any emcee that came after 1986 had to study Rakim just to know what to be able to do”.

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Live Review: Rammstein – May 13th, 2012 – Rogers Arena, Vancouver B.C.

May 14th, 2012 Filed under: Reviews - Live by Editor in Chief

(CLICK TO ENLARGE | Photos – Chris McKibbin)
(All photos: Rammstein)

Live Review: Rammstein
Sunday, May 13th, 2012
Rogers Arena

Rammstein have had to, almost literally, jump through some flaming hoops in their 18-year career to keep people interested. They haven’t missed the mark, but they have the scars to prove it anyways. The band has pioneered macabre music videos, brought industrial metal to a wider audience, won many awards internationally, and all this despite a few alienating factors that could have proved disastrous hindrances.

For the most part, Rammstein’s music is sung in German. Many European bands who hardly speak English will still write lyrics in English to reach broader audiences. I applaud the band for sticking to their guns on this, and it has actually worked in their favour. The English version of “Du Hast” just didn’t have the same guttural clout as the original. And despite the fact that the majority of their international audience can’t understand a damn thing they are saying, it didn’t stop die-hards at the show from belting out pseudo-German gibberish like they were preaching their most heart felt beliefs. That is the power of music and melody over literal meaning. One felt it hard to suppress a chuckle when the band gave the audience the chance to sing the final line in the chorus of “Engel”, and a multitude of unsure voices sort of mumbled the first few words (“gott weib ich will”) and then fervently belted out “kein Engel sein”! (Of course, everyone sung along with “Du Hast”.) The few songs Rammstein played that did contain English lyrics, “Pussy” and “Amerika”, for example, left a little something to be desired, sounding silly and over simple. Had they been sung in German as well, perhaps it might have seemed awesome to be singing about big dicks and pussies, and us Anglophones would have been none the wiser.

Speaking of dicks, all the homophobes attending this tour got to squirm a little as the band capered in a bondage scenario across a massive steaming bridge to a hydraulic stage in the midst of the crowd. There, Till Lindemann (Vocals) would spank and dry hump Keyboardist “Flake” Lorenz’s buttless chap exposed bare bottom until a pressurized hose attached to his crotch erupted with spurting semen. Funny enough, back in ’94 Lorenz was hesitant to join the group. I wonder if he knew that he would be theatrically sodomized, spat at, put into a cauldron and shot with a flamethrower, to later run off stage with a sparking pink contraption attached to his Mr. Sparkle full-body leotard? Perhaps he had a bad dream before he joined but decided to ignore it. At least Lindemann didn’t shoot him in the face with the giant dick cannon.

Needless to say, as alluded to previously, Rammstein’s intense pyrotechnic live show makes up for what they lack in musical complexity or diversity, and helps bridge the language gap by engaging virtually any audience with a spectacle unrivaled by most of the entertainment world. The technicians are at least as talented as the band. I won’t ruin the fun by giving too many details, but I will say this: The band entered the arena bearing a single torch, with the Rammstein and Union Jack flags in tow, and proceeded to light the entire place on fantastical fire. I’m glad someone is carrying that torch, may they bear it to all the corners of the earth for years to come.

Rammstein.de

By: NinJoelspy

WANT MORE LIVE REVIEWS? CLICK HERE

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ABORT Recommends: Rammstein: Made in Germany, May 13th 2012 at Rogers Arena, Vancouver B.C.

May 11th, 2012 Filed under: ABORT Recommends... by Editor in Chief

Rammstein: Made in Germany Tour
Rogers Arena, Vancouver B.C.

Doors 7:30pm

DJ 8:30-9:00pm
Rammstein 9:00-on

TICKETS AT TICKETMASTER

Check out our exclusive interview with Rammstein guitarist Paul H. Landers HERE, and in ISSUE 14 (Download link)

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ABORT Recommends: King of the Dot Ground Zero “Global Conflict” Rap Battles, May 26th, 2012 – Fortune Sound Club, Vancouver B.C.

May 10th, 2012 Filed under: ABORT Recommends... by Editor in Chief

King Of The Dot and Ground Zero Vancity present…

*GLOBAL CONFLICT*

Live Rap Battles

Sat, May 26th 3-9pm

Charron [Ottawa] vs F.L.O [Oakland]

Manik vs Sun Tzu [Seattle]

Junk vs Vokab [Seattle]

Ape Yola vs Young Hungry

Pigsty vs Split 2nd

Higher Knowledge vs Grhymes

DDSS vs Bugzy Malone [Edmonton]

Andre Anthem vs Rupert Common

Cander vs Guillotine [Edmonton]

Lil G vs Jobes

Benji vs Max a Million [Edmonton]

Stax vs Fremo Skillz

Waldo vs Jubal

Gboxx vs Triple T- Beatbox Battle

JB the First Lady vs Snitty – Beatbox battle

-DJ Keyz DaVamp

-Hosted by Snak the Ripper and Emotionz

$20 pre-sale tickets available at Beatstreet Records and Emotionz.ca

* Afternoon jam 3-9pm

@ Fortune Sound Club [147 E.Pender]

* Don’t forget to check out and support our sponsors!

King of the Dot
Ephin Apparel
M.E.D.S
Where it’s At Entertainment
OhShit Word
Hip Hop Vancouver
Welcome to eastvan
Sharks and Hammers

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ABORT Recommends: Black Wizard and Guests, June 30th 2012 – The Rickshaw Theatre, Vancouver B.C.

May 10th, 2012 Filed under: ABORT Recommends... by Editor in Chief

NOTHING IS HEAVY

Presents:

BLACK WIZARD – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Black-Wizard/97722554850

TOBEATIC – https://www.facebook.com/Tobeatic

WEIRDING – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Weirding/100872778555

THE ROCK BAND CALLED TIME – https://www.facebook.com/TheRockBandCalledTime

WTCHDR – https://www.facebook.com/wtchdr

DOORS @ 8pm
SHOW @9pm
$10

ADVANCE TICKETS AVAILABLE

BROUGHT TO YOU IN PART BY: BULLY’S, OLDE CROW CABINETS, ABORT MAG, SCRATCH RECORDS, BEATROUTE, HELLBOUND.CA, POWER CORD, THE INVISIBLE ORANGE, THE WITCHING HOUR, THE UNDIE SCENE, LIVEVAN.COM

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THE AGONIST reveals artwork, track-listing for new album “Prisoners” plus digital single, “Ideomotor” now available on iTunes

May 10th, 2012 Filed under: News/Calendar/Industry by Editor in Chief

Extreme metallers THE AGONIST will finally be unleashing their long-awaited third studio album, Prisoners, on June 4th in Europe and June 5th in North America via Century Media Records! In regards to the album artwork, front-woman Alissa White-Gluz comments: “We wanted to really include a chaotic visual to reflect the chaotic sound of the band, but we also wanted to show that the lyrics on this album are a lot more introverted…The human face was left non-descript on purpose– it doesn’t belong to any particular person, but we could call him the Lonely Solipsist.”

Prisoners track-listing:

1. You’re Coming With Me
2. The Escape
3. Predator & Prayer
4. Anxious Darwinians
5. Panophobia
6. Ideomotor
7. Lonely Solipsist
8. Dead Ocean
9. The Mass Of The Earth
10. Everybody Wants You (dead)
11. Revenge Of The Dadaists

THE AGONIST recently debuted Prisoners’ first single, “Ideomotor”, which can be heard here. Fans can also enter a Lyric Interpretation Video Contest for the track here and purchase the digital single on iTunes here. The full album is also available for pre-order on CM Distro here in a variety of formats.

Throughout their North American tour with KITTIE, THE AGONIST will be selling digital download cards that feature two tracks from Prisoners: “Ideomotor” and the previously limited edition EP-only track “The Escape”. These tracks will be available for immediate download, with the remainder of the album available on release day. Dates for this trek are below, so check to see when THE AGONIST will be coming to a city near you!

CLICK HERE FOR OUR AGONIST PODCAST INTERVIEW!

THE AGONIST online:

http://www.youtube.com/theagonistofficial

http://www.facebook.com/theagonistofficial

http://www.myspace.com/theagonist

http://twitter.com/theagonist

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AbortCast #122: DragonForce – The ABORT Interview

May 10th, 2012 Filed under: AbortCast: Interview Podcasts by MetalEditor

(CLICK TO ENLARGE | Photo – Scott Alexander)

Known for having two of the fastest guitarists in metal, a sound inspired by video game music and a tongue-in-cheek approach to song-writing, DragonForce has been thrashing against the boundaries of metal music composition since 2000. Currently on the tail-end of The Power Within North-American Tour, bassist Fred Leclercq and newly appointed vocalist Marc Hudson had a sit-down with ABORT Magazine’s Sam Landa to discuss the new album, the recording process and Canadian metal influences.

ABORTcast: Dragonforce [ 12:23 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Hosted and Written by Sam Landa

Produced by Alxs Ness

“Die by the Sword” Written and Performed by DragonForce (Courtesy of Roadrunner Records)

Dragonforce.com

WANT MORE INTERVIEWS? CLICK THE BADGE, OR VISIT:

abortmag.com/abortcast

AbortCast uses Recorders Exclusively.

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Montreal Rapper NYCE Releases New Single ’24/7 Remix’ from upcoming album Certified

May 8th, 2012 Filed under: Made In Canada, News/Calendar/Industry by Editor in Chief

Montreal hip hop artist NYCE who has been keeping busy in studio and shows. He was just recently on the cover of Vandala Mag for April and toured across Canada with Freeway and opened for Raekwon (Wu Tang) back in March along with releasing his music video Fam HC.

Now he’s letting let loose his next single, his third from his upcoming album “Certified” set to be released on Montreal label Hustle Cartel Ent.

Hailing from the streets of Côte-des-Neiges, right in the core of Montreal, Canada, NYCE aka Mista Uptown has released his first music video “Dopest On The Scene” in support of the first single off his upcoming debut album “Certified” set be released in early 2012 on local Montreal hip hop label Hustle Cartel Ent.

Taking his street knowledge and turning it into music to help elevate his life and that of others for years. The charismatic and well-tatted young emcee is out to start a dialogue, to sometimes shock and to always make you laugh with his quick wit and sharp tongue. Signing with Montreal’s Hustle Cartel, NYCE dropped his first mix tape, D’Boy Music, in July 2011 and is set to release his debut album, Certified, in Spring 2012. Produced by one of Canada’s hottest up and coming producers, Fullklip Beats, Certified is set to showcase the best of NYCE, the definition of a street hustla, in other terms, a D’Boy.

NYCE ON FACEBOOK

With a sharped-tongue, yet smooth and witty lyrical execution, Montreal MC NYCE has torn the roof off the motherfucker with his latest joint, check back for more ABORT coverage on NYCE soon.

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Album Review: Epica – Requiem for the Indifferent

May 8th, 2012 Filed under: Reviews - Music by MetalEditor

Album Review: Epica
Requiem for the Indifferent
Nuclear Blast

Completely shattering any doubts of the ability to kick ass, Simone and co. return with the fiery vengeance of a thousand horny angels. After a rather depressing three years of waiting for a new album since the release of Design Your Universe, we have finally been blessed with another studio album from the ‘Ginger Queen.’

Requiem for the Indifferent does indeed have the feel of a musical setting for a Mass for the dead- to be more specific, a Black Mass. This atmosphere is maintained fully from the start of the album at “Karma,” through to the end with “Serenade of Self Destruction”. Of course, there are certain tracks that stand out as more powerful than others – some more sonically powerful, others more emotionally, and so on. “Storm the Sorrow” and “Requiem for the Indifferent” in particular stand out with a mix of these qualities.

The dark beauty of so-called ‘symphonic metal’ lies in neither the lush orchestral textures, nor the frequent and soaring operatic vocals, and indeed not in any single aspect of the music. Rather, it is the powerful unitary force which brings together all these elements. Some such bands might use a beautiful vocalist to initially draw in fans, such as Nightwish with Anette Olzon. Other bands seem to care little for human aesthetics, and instead utilize ludicrously over the top cover art (Cradle of Filth, anyone?). Thankfully, Epica as a whole has the good sense not to give a rat’s ass, and foremost puts out quality music.

“Deter the Tyrant,” “Avalanche,” and “Serenade of Self Destruction” are all fitting tracks to close this album. For those who perhaps are newcomers to the concept of symphonic metal, Requiem for the Indifferent is certainly an excellent introduction to this darkly lush subgenre of heavy metal. Requiem is an exquisitely crafted piece of art.

Epica

By: Chris Neuberger

WANT MORE ALBUM REVIEWS? CLICK HERE

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Live Review: DragonForce w/ Holy Grail and Huntress- May 4th 2012, The Rickshaw, Vancouver B.C.

May 7th, 2012 Filed under: Reviews - Live by MetalEditor

(CLICK TO ENLARGE | Photos – Scott Alexander)
(All photos: Dragonforce)

Live Review: DragonForce w/ Holy Grail and Huntress
Friday, May 4th, 2012
The Rickshaw Theatre

May the [Dragon]Force be with you

The Rickshaw was awash in an eerie red haze as the crowd assembled around the stage. One of Napalm Records’ newest signees, Huntress, had a real impression to make as its massive riffs began to fill the room. Multifaceted vocalist Jill Janus emerged from the shadows, blond tendrils hidden beneath a dark riding hood. Had Chuck Shuldiner, Shagrath and Rob Halford created a talented but flippered love child, it would have had a voice like Janus’: operatic, accompanied by diabolical screams, spitting shrieks and witch-like squeals. Huntress played classic grooves that were definitely familiar, but transposed to the key of E…vil.

The road warriors of Holy Grail kicked off their set to a smoky room with a powerful high note. Matching hair and vests paid tribute to the band’s forefathers as they broke into a galloping rhythm and guitar and vocal harmonies. While Holy Grail could be classified as a power metal band because of the epic melodies, hidden influences seemed to claw their way to the surface, as portrayed in “Call of Valhalla”, a song with a southern metal vibe that echoes of Motorhead. “Crisis in Utopia” brought frenzied verses and blazing guitar runs to the crowd. Considering one of the guitarists has Santana as a last name, one could imagine the talent present. The band was the perfect segue between the more raw-sounding Huntress and the seasoned headliners. Holy Grail decided to dedicate their last song to “DragonForce—the shreddiest band in the universe.”

After more than a year of searching, DragonForce has found its new vocalist in the form of 23-year-old Marc Hudson, who looked right at home interacting with his bandmates and getting accustomed to his new position. After opening with “Die By The Sword”, Herman Li and Sam Totman’s trademark effortless guitars kept audience members’ eyes glued on their fingers, likely wondering if they would be able to replicate the precision playing as heard on their albums. Verdict: accurate but natural. Impressive four-part vocal harmonies characterized “Operation Ground and Pound” as the band had the crowd jumping in time and attempting to crowd surf, both rarities at the Rickshaw.

There was a festival-like atmosphere that brought a new energy to the venue, especially when “Cry Thunder”, a single from the new album The Power Within, was triumphantly played. While some audience members lit up when keyboardist Vadim Pruzhanov unveiled a keytar during “Seasons”, the real excitement seemed to explode from the crowd during “Soldiers of the Wasteland”. Hudson grabbed a beer while bassist Frederic Leclercq kissed his biceps and gestured at the supporting bands watching from the sidelines, and drummer Dave Mackintosh’s thundering double kicks carried the song forward. The years behind this band were evident in its pristine execution, and the passion for the music and the fun of the stage show were clearly visible by the smiles on their faces.

DragonForce

Holy Grail

Huntress

By: Sam Landa

STAY TUNED! For an Abort Exclusive ABORTcast with Dragonforce COMING SOON!

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Film Review: Headwinds (Des Vents Contraires) – Directed by Jalil Lespert

May 7th, 2012 Filed under: Reviews - Film by Editor in Chief

HEADWINDS (Des Vents Contraires)
Directed by Jalil Lespert
AZ Films

At the start of “HEADWINDS (Des Vents Contraires), Sarah (portrayed remarkably by an unrecognizable Audrey Tautou) tells her husband Daniel (the always versatile Benoit Magimel) she’s had it up to here with his workaholic habits and his ignorance of his family and that she’s leaving, no question about it. The next day she indeed, has gone. But… where is she? When Daniel checks her work and finds out she’s not there, and phones around to her friends to find out she’ hasn’t been to their places either, the mystery just deepens. Quite intriguing. A mystery about a woman who disappears completely. What happened to her? Will the husband find her? Is her disappearance suspicious? How interesting.

This movie, unfortunately, doesn’t go that route.

Instead, the film fast forwards a year later (this is becoming a trend in the movies this reviewer is seeing lately), and we see Daniel essentially floating through life, not really caring about anything since his wife’s disappearance. He and his children have sort of become distant from themselves and other people, he doesn’t trust the police since they treated him as a suspect in regards to the disappearance, and is really not wanting any outside help for all the demons lurking inside of him. So instead of what could have been a decent mystery, the film turns out more of a portrait Of A tortured man. Although the film is definitely well acted, with Magimel and the two kids playing his children turn out strong performances. It is easy to feel the film could have been a lot more than it was, how the film kept teasing us of what kind of an anti-hero Paul is, especially when the police come knocking on his door when a friend of his is wanted for child abduction, and he’s not forthright on his answers.

The relationship between himself and other people he believes have been wronged by the law system certainly is INTERESTING, but mixing the two elements, the self-pathos movie with a did-he-do-it mystery doesn’t really work. This is especially obvious in the conclusion, where we’re supposed to feel an overwhelming of emotion, where we’ve just spent the last hour and a half or so not really sympathizing for a character we don’t care much about.

By Bill Taylor

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ABORT Recommends: Mode Moderne ‘Strange Bruises’ Album Release – May 19th at The Biltmore, Vancouver B.C.

May 7th, 2012 Filed under: ABORT Recommends... by Editor in Chief

http://modemoderne.bandcamp.com/

“Magnificently morose… heart-of-darkness post-postpunk” – Georgia Straight

“Pulsing drum machines, swathy synthesizers, ethereal guitar leads, and blankets of ambient-satin. Let’s welcome the new age.” – Weird Canada

WITH DEAD GHOSTS

http://thedeadghosts.bandcamp.com/

“Pure garage bliss” – newbandday.com

• Saturday May 19th

Early Show!!
Doors 7:30 pm • Show 8:00 pm

• The Biltmore Cabaret

For over 50 years, the Biltmore has been a fixture in the community as both a public house for Vancouverites and a platform for ground-breaking musical performances. With the revitalization of historic Mount Pleasant, the bar was reopened in 2007 as The Biltmore Cabaret, with a fresh focus to recapture its musical tradition. Drawing from the rich local scene in Vancouver as well as the best in Canadian and international touring acts, The Biltmore Cabaret showcases talent from across a wide spectrum of music and the arts.

http://www.biltmorecabaret.com/

http://twitter.com/biltmorecabaret

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R.I.P: Adam ‘MCA’ Yauch, Passes away after a long battle with Cancer, Aged 47

May 4th, 2012 Filed under: R.I.P. by Editor in Chief

(Photo: Wikipedia – Fabio Venni)

(Boston.com) – Adam Yauch, the gravelly voiced Beastie Boys rapper who co-founded the seminal hip-hop group, has died at age 47.

Yauch’s representatives confirmed that the rapper died Friday morning in New York after a nearly three-year battle with cancer.

Also known as MCA, Yauch was diagnosed with a cancerous salivary gland in 2009. He had undergone surgery and radiation.

At the time, Yauch expressed hope it was “very treatable,” but his illness caused the group to cancel shows and delayed the release of its 2011 album, “Hot Sauce Committee, Pt. 2.”

The Brooklyn-born Yauch created the Beastie Boys with high school friend Michael “Mike D” Diamond. Originally conceived as a hardcore punk group, it became a hip-hop trio after Adam “Ad-Rock” Horovitz joined.

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