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 …

Touring, for some bands, is as simple as loading your gear and selves into a van and heading down the road, and hoping to make enough off a cut of the cover charge and merch sales to make it back home again in one piece.
Others taking a slightly different approach.
A wise musician once said: “I bought four cases of Fun Dip!”
Actually, that was Andy Sidloski, bassist for the band Silent Line, but he makes a valid point.
He’s thought about what it means to go on the road, and he wants …

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 …

Relax and have fun. According to living metal legend Gene Hoglan, that’s the key to drumming. After all, “It’s not ‘rocket surgery;’ it’s just drums,” he exclaims.
“A lot of guys turn it into something really intense and difficult and not fun,” Hoglan states.
“When you’re all tensed up, that just makes it not fun, and you get this horrible struggling strained face on. That looks like you’re killing yourself, and that doesn’t look like fun. Unless you like looking like that,” he laughs. “I try to practice Occam’s Razor when it …

Greetings, my fine readers, and welcome to the July edition of Pitch Black Magazine.
You may have noticed this issue is a wee bit lighter than usual. Do not fear: you can still expect all the categories you’re used to and the same high-quality of content you’ve come to expect from us, just a little less of it.
But, due to the vacations and other commitments of our volunteer contributors throughout July and August, we figured it might be a good idea, rather than stretch ourselves too thin. We also decided that …

Edenbridge – “Solitaire” (CD)
“Solitaire” Track List:
1. Entree Unique
2. Solitaire
3. Higher
4. Skyline’s End
5. Bon Voyage Vagabond
6. Inward Passage
7. Come Undone
8. Out Of This World
9. Further Afield
10. Eternity
11. A Virtual Dream?
12. Brothers On Diamir
13. Exit Unique
Release Date: July 2, 2010
Label: Napalm Records
KING: Solitaire is my first introduction to Edenbridge, although this is their 7th album since their 2000 debut. What we have here is female-fronted symphonic metal, a sub-genre that seems to have fallen out favour over the past few years, possibly due to the influx of bands following the exact same …

Which are your top five favourite metal bands of all time?
Slayer
Iron Maiden
Lamb of God
Motörhead
Opeth
What is your earliest metal memory?
I think my earliest metal memory comes from a show at the Multi in Calgary. I was just there to see a random show with some friends, and this band, Chupacabra, was on the bill. I loved how heavy they were and had the time of my life headbanging and moshing. I had heard metal before, but had never seen it live. That was when I realized how much I actually liked …