How long have you been a musician?
I’ve been a musician long enough to not be able to remember not being one.
What is your favourite metal memory?
That’s easy: Smushed up against the barrier watching Machine Head destroy the place while donning a smile so big it hurt!
What do you find inspiring about Alberta’s metal community?
I find some inspiration in Alberta’s metal scene in a commonality in peoples’ thinking of doing what you can with what you have. It’s about perseverance and, to a lesser extent, acting as a division of a …

What is your favourite thing about festival season?
I’d have to say the best part is the variety. There’s usually a good mix of bands and something for everybody. And there’s always that one band that everyone is there to see.
Inside or out amongst the elements?
Being an outdoors kind of person, outdoor festivals are without a doubt more fun, especially when there’s camping involved. Music, camping and copious amounts of beer is an unavoidable good time.
What is your favorite festival memory?
There are a few that stick out, but the most memorable …

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 …

How do you support your metal community?
Most of my friends are metal heads, and and I try to go see their shows as often as I can. Which is great in Edmonton. There are so many good metal bands performing constantly, it’s hard to miss them all. Every show I go to, I try to bring a friend who hasn’t heard them before. It’s always great to see new friends meeting the old, and appreciating each other’s abilities.
Do you play the guitar you are posing with?
No talent on the …

How welcoming has Alberta’s metal community been to your act?
So far the reactions have been great. I’ve been performing for just over a year now, and the bands have been very supportive and stoked to have me involved. I’m really looking forward to my next shows coming up in the summer months. I’m sure there are a few negative reactions to my “heavy metal pole dancing,” just as there are in general to the sport of pole dancing. It does have its association with strip clubs (and rightfully so sometimes) …

Okay, so they’re not exactly “Maidens” this month, but we simply couldn’t resist pulling a small stunt on our dear devoted readers. This is, after all, our very first April Fools’ Day issue, and we wanted to celebrate with a little laugh, and at the same time answer a number of requests from our female readers.
We’d like to thank the guys for being such good sports and posing for us, some even clocking in a few hundred kilometres just to help us out.  We’d also like to give a shout …

How do you stay active in Alberta’s metal community?
Being a part of the Pitch Black staff keeps me fairly active in the local metal scene. I also really enjoy putting on shows. Last year, I was heavily involved in organizing Red Deer’s Rock 4 Santa charity show. It was a lot of hard work, but so much fun and such a rewarding experience. When I’m not working on Pitch Black, I spend a lot of time booking/promoting shows and organizing merch for my husband’s band, Awkward Silence.
How did you first …

Who are some of your favourite hard rock or metal bands?
Kilyakai, Lamb of God, and Textures.
Not to get too cheesy, but since it’s February and all, what band most sets a romantic mood for you?
Tool totally sets the mood for me. Not the lyrics, but the groove and the way the sound of Maynard James Keenan’s vocals are projected is interesting to me.
How do you stay active in Alberta’s music community?
With my time, energy, love. I put everything in it. The metal community is made up of my friends, my …

How did you first get involved in Alberta’s music community?
I’ve been involved as a musician in both the Edmonton and Calgary areas since I was a teenager, writing and performing music in a variety of genres, ranging from Celtic to hard rock. After moving to Calgary, my passion for metal led me to play keyboards for Sacred Ally. I am now the keyboardist for Gales of Avalon.
What inspired you to launch Pitch Black Magazine?
As a journalist and a photographer, a lot of music-related gigs are freelance and pay little to …

What was your first ever metal concert?
Ozzy Osbourne. I saw him in Edmonton, Alta. on his “Retirement Sucks” tour in 1996.
Who is your favorite live band?
Hard question! I would have to say Clutch, since I’ve seen them five times, and also Kylesa.
Any favourite music to help you celebrate the season?
The only holiday music I really enjoy listening to during the holidays is the soundtrack for The Nightmare Before Christmas.
What’s on your Christmas wish list?
It was going to be Kittie’s new album, In The Black, but I couldn’t wait and bought …

What’s spinning on your CD player or iPod right now?
My all-time favourite albums are Dimmu Borgir Death Cult Armageddon, Poison – Look What the Cat Dragged In, and Kataklysm – Shadows and Dust.
Favourite local venue to get your live music fix?
I always have a great time at The Starlite Room but anywhere that allows metal bands to play is wicked!
What is the best hard rock or metal show you have attended so far this year?
AC/DC in the pouring rain was so much fun!

Do you dress up for Halloween?
Absolutely! It’s my favourite time of year.
Where is your favourite place to party at Halloween?
For the past few years, I’ve been going to New City Suburbs. It seems like people there put a lot of effort into their costumes and you’re bound to see something really original. House parties are always a blast as well.
What’s your costume gonna be this year?
I’d like to be mysterious and say that you’ll just have to wait until the 31st, but at this point I haven’t …

First metal album bought: Pantera, Vulgar Display of Power [Atco Records, 1992]
Favourite local band(s) that never gets old: Dead Jesus and Death Toll Rising
Favourite metal band across the board: Zimmers Hole
Daily metal fix: Lead vocalist for Order of Chaos

Favorite Aspect of Metal Shows: The mosh pit, for sure.
Favorite Alternative Clothing Store: It used to be Cabbages and Kinks in Vancouver, but it burned down a few years ago. Now, I would have to say Sanctuary in Edmonton. It’s where I got my wedding dress.
First Metal Show: Queensryche at the Coliseum in Vancouver when I was 12. My Dad took me from Merritt, B.C. to Vancouver on the Greyhound to go to the show. I swear we were the only ones there dressed in gortex.

First metal album: Pantera “Far Beyond Driven.” I was introduced to metal by a friend and loved that album when I heard it, so I went and bought it.
Favourite road trip music: I love everything on road trips. As a kid, my sister had an awesome mix tape we’d listen to on our trips. We also had stuff like Ozzy’s “Mama, I’m Coming Home,” old school Crüe and lot’s of G N’R. Nowadays, I like some Cradle Of Filth, Pantera, Alice In Chains and System Of A Down.

First metal show: My first “metal” show was Tool in the ’90s in Vancouver.
Favorite live band: It’s a very close tie between Satyricon and Hanzel und Gretyl.
Best thing about going to live metal shows: The shows are always impressive, but the fans are the most fun. Everyone gets so excited – and us girls get to dress all snazzy.

Are there any bands that you won’t be playing around your son after he’s born – or even now, since he’s probably moshing out to everything you’re listening to right now?
I believe he should have the right to decide what he will want to listen to and what he will not. Although, I pray to the Heathen Gods of Metal that he will not take a liking to power metal.
How much importance do you place on a child being raised in a musical environment?
A lot. Where would society be on …

An exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the spring 2009 Metal Maidens shoot in Northern Alberta!
Photographs by Becca Stone, Pamela Porosky and Sherri Robertson.