October always has that icy snap in the air and the haunting feeling that snow could happen at any moment – if you’re lucky enough to live in a part of the world that has four seasons, which, in Alberta, we are.

I evolved from the komatiite of a dormant Canadian volcano, and have been in the Great White North ever since, so for me, October just wouldn’t be the same without that imminent frosty threat. And I really like the crunchy sound of dead leaves under my feet. And, naturally, getting sorted for my favourite holiday of the year.

Yes, Halloween. A time of spookabl-ishess shenanigans and outright bloody good times. It’s a night when no matter where you are, there’s sure to be a celebratory show nearby.

Okay, so it’s not technically a holiday. It’s not like it’s worth a day off work, although it should be, if you ask this chick. In fact, it should be a week, cause you’ve gotta prep and party and then there’s the inevitable cleanup. All those bloodstains don’t work out by themselves, you know. Um, I mean, it’s food colouring, really.

Moving on…

As I’m sitting here typing this on the eve of the Noctis III Metal Festival, set to inaugurate Canada’s very first metal conference, I’m blown away by what a metal moment this will be, and honoured that Pitch Black Magazine will witness such a ground breaking event. It’s not every day Alberta metalheads make their own little dent in the history books.

At just six issues old, we can’t think of a better way to commemorate the anniversary than to be included in the festival, but more than anything we give our kudos to Scarab Metal Productions, whose team has put a truly extreme amount of thought and effort into making this happen.

And now, I must be go plan my disguise, so keep reading! We’ve included a number of bands with Halloween shows in this issue, including perennial favourite Dead Jesus, who headline Miss Demeanour’s 3rd Annual Goregames at The Underground in Calgary, Alta. We’ve also got The Black Dahlia Murder, A Bloodshed Nightmare and The Unravelling and a cauldron full more for you to explore.

Off to build a better brew,

Mistress Morwyn

The Keeper of the Lair