Live Slaughterfest 2009

This year marked the third annual Live Slaughter Fest in Edmonton, Alta., and the first time the event darkened Calgary soundwaves. On July 17, The Underground played host to five Canadian metal acts.

Unfortunately, the promoter was unable to make the journey from Alberta’s capital due to unverifiable circumstances, but local videographer Michele Sinclair, who is about to embark on a nationwide footage gathering journey for an upcoming metal documentary, stepped up to make sure that things ran as smoothly as possible.

Also a little disappointing was the notable absence of War Command and Madeleine Horn; but, the rest of the lineup, consisting of black metallers Gales of Avalon and Lithica, both hailing from Calgary, Edmonton’s Begrime Exemious, featured in our Homegrown Hellions section this month, and Vancouver artists Anatolian Wisdom and Tyrants Blood, definitely made the show worth attending. - Porosky

10 For $10 Hardcore Festival

Ten bands. For $10? This seemed like a sweet deal to the multitude of hardcore fans that showed up at the Warehouse on July 29. Calgary and Edmonton were the only two shows with local bands on the 10 for $10 tour, headlined by Poison the Well. Opening the Calgary show was Kilyakai, and they were “pretty heavy for hardcore” according to one attendee, presumably a positive comment as they were well-received by the crowd. Other locals on the bill included Bathing Insanity, Mad Cowboys and Voices.

Death Before Dishonor was the first band up off the tour after the locals, followed by War of Ages. Trapped Under Ice got the crowd riled up enough to start the crazy stage diving that would last the rest of the night. Terror had some thrash metal aspects to their sound which I really enjoyed. Their set was insane. Not only did the stage diving last throughout their entire set, but the stage was packed with fans singing along and still stage diving during their last song, “Keep Your Mouth Shut.” I couldn’t help but wince at some of the dive landings and the one head-to-head mid-air collision. The only disappointment of the show was the lighting: red and dismal for almost all the bands. It’s unfortunate when a venue can’t provide proper lighting for a show. It makes it difficult for musician’s to see what they’re doing after a few minutes exposure, and makes for some seriously washed-out photos. Overall, though, the was good sound, positive energy and for the price it was a great opportunity to see your favourite band(s) and discover some new ones. - Deviat

Summer Slaughter Tour Crashes Calgary Stampede

It’s the beginning of June and the Calgary Stampede is full swing…and then the Summer Slaughter tour rolls into town. On June 6, in front of the Whiskey, 10^th avenue was packed with tour buses, vans, trailers and Summer Slaughter bands, crew and fans. Stampede goers wearily passed through the metal crowd to get to the section of the bar still catering to them. But, towards the end of the evening most of the country crowd had cleared out and the bar was packed with metal heads. With nine bands to fit in, the show started early. Behemoth was unable to make it back into the country due to immigration changes which was a definite disappointment for many attendees. Winds of Plague brought high energy to the show and one of two female musicians on the tour. Darkest Hour partied it up stage, bringing up one of the Jagermeister shooter girls to give Michael Schleibaum a shot of Jager on account of his cowboy-esque attire. Necrophagist amazed the crowd; even the mosh pit which had been going strong since Black Guard kicked off the show, couldn’t last long as everyone had to stop and see what the hell was happening on stage. – Deviat