Zombitrol Productions is once again a proud Media Partner of the Wacken Metal Battle Canada, now in its fourth year. After weeks of competition it’s down to five finalists who will go head to head in Toronto to decide who will be the one that represents Canada this summer at the Wacken Open Air festival in Northern Germany. Canada has now won the international final two out the last three years with Crimson Shadows in 2013, and Vesperia in 2015. With The Governor’s Ball on indefinite hiatus I’m stepping back from my hosting duties this year to sit on the judge’s panel for the first time.
The final takes place this Saturday June 11th at The Opera House in Toronto. Here are this years’ finalists:
Tales Of The Tomb - Edmonton, AB
Profaner - Hamilton, ON
Pyramid Theorem - Toronto, ON
The Mountain Man - Vancouver, BC
DistortHead - Montreal, QC
The special guest headliner this year is none other than 2013 Winners Crimson Shadows. This will be their first major headlining performance since they were joined by their new vocalist Paul Ablaze, known for fronting Montreal’s Blackguard. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door and it’s a 19+ event. Come out and see who will be crowned Canada’s newest metal ambassadors to the world.
UPDATE: Congratulations to winners Profaner, and runners-up DistortHead!
Photo by Ole Luk
My latest interview for A Journal of Musical Things is a controversial chat with one-woman Danish black metal act Myrkur a.k.a. Amalie Bruun. We talked about her transition from indie pop act Ex Cops into heavy metal, and some of the misogynistic reactions from men she’s received on Facebook. It was the latter topic that moved the conversation in a surprising direction, as Bruun revealed that she’s far more worried about the proliferation of Islam in Europe than sexism in metal culture. Have a listen to the interview and let me know what you think.
Photo by Adam Wills
I’ve just updated the Interviews section with my latest chat with vocalist Mark “Barney” Greenway of Napalm Death. There’s also my first interview with Sweden’s Tribulation, as well as a conversation with Roger Costa from the Jeff Healey Estate about Healey’s first posthumous album and the upcoming tribute concert.
Zombitrol Productions is a proud co-presenter of the Toronto stop of John Baizley’s A Perfect Monster Pop-Up Art Show and Sale this Tuesday May 3rd. With his band Baroness set to hit the stage at The Opera House that evening, John will be appearing at Coalition (282 Augusta Ave.) from 5-6:30PM, where he will have art prints and fuzz-peddles for sale. This is an All Ages event, admission is free, and the bar will be open. We hope to see you there before the show.