Ask Jan Kulakowski about Shadowblade’s upcoming album, and he’ll describe it as “55 minutes of progressive epic metal!”
The founder and frontman for the Edmonton-based metal act is talking about Frozen Serenity [Independent, 2010], Shadowblade’s full-length studio debut, recorded by Kulakowski and drummer Anders Johansson, then flown to Helsinki, Finland, where it was mixed by Nino Laurenne at Sonic Pump Studios. Laurenne has worked with the likes of Apocalyptica, Ensiferum, Sonata Arctica and Amorphis, to name a few, but it wasn’t the names he’d worked with in the past that inspired …

Self-described as “redneck aggression, washed down with whiskey,” War Eagle Rising aren’t holding back when it comes to representing Alberta metal to the metallist. The quartet is quickly becoming the ambassadors of our provincial music scene, and have been making a strong name for themselves since releasing their debut album, The New Order, this past May.
Comprised of vocalist Ian Dillon, guitarist Daniel Muise, drummer Dallas Lobb and bassist Brett Winnichuk, and fueled with “raw energy and strong emotion,” the band has no qualms about who they are, or what they …

Skeletonwitch has come a long way since their first show on a homemade stage in their front yard, performing for a crowd of drunken University students, but it comes as no surprise when you take a look at their musical skill, talent for songwriting and hard work ethic.
The five-piece metal act is preparing to storm Canada in the beginning of July – and do a little camping along the way – then head back to their native U.S. for the much-anticipated Ozzfest. It doesn’t stop there, though, as they won’t …

“Lurking, waiting, writing, conspiring,” is what B.C. band Auroch have planned once their current tour wraps up later this summer.
“Another tour is already in the works with a certain band, but I can’t say anything about that just yet,” teases guitarist Sebastian Montesi. “Time will tell what the future holds.”
What he isn’t keeping mum on is Auroch’s debut album, what it’s like heading out on the road with French death metallers The Seven Gates in their first tour on North American soil, and another recording for the discog from the …

The June 19 Noctis Kick-Off Show in Calgary, Alta. began with a little Heavy Metal Jeopardy, with game show host JP Wood – best known for his work on CJSW’s Megawatt Mayhem – firing off questions to three local contestants. Unfortunately, I did not make it to The Distillery on time to witness this awesome display of knowledge, but we hear the questions were tough and those in the line of fire stayed cool under the pressure. Exit Strategy bassist Greg Musgrave claimed victory in the end, winning the grand …