Tag Archives: rock n’ roll

Concert Review – Hyperia (Rivoli, Toronto, ON, 07/07/2024)

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A fantastic heat wave of Canadian underground metal hit the city of Toronto this Sunday night with three of the most must-see bands of the current scene.

OPENING ACTS: Invicta and Thunderor

The heat is on in Toronto, and together with it comes an overdose of the Canadian underground like what happened last night at Rivoli when TUNDEROR, INVICTA and HYPERIA kicked off Hyperia’s sensational Constricting Canada/Europe Tour 2024, and I believe it’s the first time ever this thrilling band from Vancouver, British Columbia is touring not only Eastern Canada, but also venturing through European lands. Needless to say, Keith Ibbitson of Metal Paparazzi and I were there to celebrate the music and professional growth of Hyperia, proving Canadian metal is alive and kicking, with band’s like Hyperia, Invicta and Thunderor being more than ready to take over the world.

I must confess it was a little late for the doors at Rivoli to open, only at 8:30pm on a Sunday, but nobody seemed to care about that late start, and a little after 9pm Kitchener, Ontario-based Melodic Death/Thrash Metal outfit INVICTA kicked off the metallic ceremony with a fast-paced, heavy-as-hell performance, inviting all concert goers for some vigorous headbanging. The band spearheaded by the talented vocalist and guitarist Kyle Edissi, who also plays the guitar for Heathen on their live shows, delivered the goods, playing songs from their two album Halls of Extinction and Triumph and Torment (both available on BandCamp and on Spotify, by the way) for the delight of the small but excited crowd that attended the show. Those guys should definitely be opening for renowned acts like At The Gates, Sylosis, Arch Enemy and so on during their future tours in Canada, and I’m sure once more people get exposed to Invicta’s first-class heavy music, they will go places.

Band members
Kyle Edissi – vocals, guitars
Jonah Kay – guitars, backing vocals
Steven Rowlands – bass, backing vocals
Reef Hassanien – drums, percussion

The show must go on, and after a short break where everyone could enjoy good quality beer for a very decent price (which doesn’t happen very often at concerts, as you might know), Toronto’s own Heavy Metal trio THUNDEROR began their melodic and incendiary concert based on their 2022 debut Fire It Up, available on BandCamp and on Spotify, including Fire It Up, Dangerous Times, Thunderor and On the Run, putting everyone to dance and have a very good time in the name of Rock N’ Roll. Guitarist Johnny Nesta and bassist Brycen Gunn were obviously amazing, but it was the band’s mastermind JJ Tartaglia (of bands like Skull Fist and Final Trigger) who truly impressed me the most. How can he sing and play drums at the same time, and sound so good in both? He has indeed become a staple of the Canadian underground scene, and if you have a chance to see him playing live, please go for it, because he’s a great person and a superb musician that deserves all our recognition.

Band members
JJ Tartaglia – vocals, drums, keyboards
Johnny Nesta – guitars
Brycen Gunn – bass

HYPERIA

I’ve been a fan of Melodic Thrash/Death Metal machine HYPERIA since day one, having already reviewed all of their albums, those being Insanitorium (2020), Silhouettes of Horror (2022) and The Serpent’s Cycle (2023), but I honestly had no idea if I would ever be able to see them live as touring from one coast of Canada to the other is extremely pricey these days. Well, to my total surprise and sheer happiness, yesterday I had a fantastic time witnessing frontwoman Marlee Ryley, guitarists Colin Ryley and Skyler Mills, bassist Jon Power, and drummer Aaron Bell kicking some serious ass on stage in preparation for their more-than-deserved debut European tour starting on July 14 at Masters of rock in the Czech Republic. It was wild, intense, and above all that, as metal as it could be, putting a huge smile on everyone who was brave enough to stay at the venue until (very) late on a Sunday night, completely ignoring the fact the next day would be an always boring Monday.

Most of their setlist was based on their newest album The Serpent’s Cycle, with songs like The Serpent’s Cycle, Trapped in Time and my favorite of the night, Automatic Thrash Machine, sounding killer live, and the band was so relaxed and having a good time that Marlee herself went down to the floor/pit to have a good time with the fans more than once, with Jon also joining the crowd during the last song of their set, the excellent Pleonexia, and that translated into a very warm and vibrant reaction form the crowd. All of their wicked creations are available on BandCamp and on Spotify, and if you’re in Europe and have a chance to catch Hyperia live in the coming weeks, don’t miss the chance to see one of the coolest names of the current Canadian scene. I would love to see them on July 21 at the famous Carts & Horses, the birthplace of Iron Maiden, because they definitely deserve to reach new heights with their undisputed thrash, and hopefully when they return from Europe I’ll have another chance to see them here in Toronto in a not-so-distant future.

Band members
Marlee Ryley – vocals
Colin Ryley – guitars
Skyler Mills – guitars
Jon Power – bass
Aaron Bell – drums

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Concert Review – Graham Bonnet Band (On the Rocks, Helsinki, Finland, 04/29/2024)

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Once again, The Headbanging Moose takes Finland by storm, this time to talk about the amazing classic rock singer Graham Bonnet and his awesome band playing in Helsinki.

***Review and photos by Giovanna Marques***

OPENING ACT: Wishing Well

As already mentioned by Renata in the Brother Firetribe gig review, The Headbanging Moose is now also in Finland, and I, Giovanna, am more than thrilled to be part of this great team! To celebrate my first contribution to THM, nothing better than Graham Bonnet, an absolute classic Rock and Roll legend showing that age is just a number and what matters in the attitude and will to rock.

The evening filled with pure quality Rock and Roll started with a performance of the Helsinki local band WISHING WELL. The band first released their material in 2015, but it has been a long-term project of the leader and guitarist, Anssi Korkiakoski. During the concert, the band played their classic songs, greatly influenced by the 1970s and 1980s classic rock bands, leaving a nostalgic and energetic feeling in the house, making the audience eager for more good rock and roll. It is worth it to check out the band’s material if you are also a fan of classic rock.


GRAHAM BONNET BAND

After the usual break to exchange the gears for the next band, we were finally gifted with the presence of Graham Bonnet and the band members on stage.

The gig started with some technical difficulties making the public unable to hear the bassist Beth-Ami Heavenstone’s chords but after a short complaint and some screams at the sound table everything was sorted out and the gig started for real. The band opened the night with the Rainbow Cover “Eyes of the World” and the British singer showed that 76 is just a number and there is no such thing as being too old to rock and roll. The band continued with a few more Rainbow songs and although my particular favorite “Love’s no Friend” was one of the highest moments of the show in my opinion, the crowd went crazy with ”Since You’ve Been Gone” leaving a super energetic atmosphere for the keyboard solo by the Italian Allessandro Bertoni.

After the short break, the singer came back to the stage and the band played songs from Bonnet’s Solo career emphasizing the quality of the musicians present in his solo albums.

I must confess that being a Michael Schenker fanatic, I was anxiously awaiting for the Assault Attack album songs, and when the band finally played “Desert Song” it was an absolute delight. The Brazilian guitarist Conrado Pesinato showed in every step of the concert that he is more than capable to carry the legacy of the astonishing guitarists that were part of Graham Bonnet’s career. Pesinato presented his version of the songs and solos, never letting the audience down and filling the concert with great technique and soul.

After The first Michael Schenker cover, the band played my personal favorite from their album “Day Out in Nowhere”, the song “Uncle John”. Something that made the concert even richer was the stories told by the members about the songs and events surrounding the band and the singer. For example, Graham explained that he wrote the lyrics of the song ”Uncle John” for a teacher who was beloved by his students but was lately charged and arrested accused of pedophilia.

Next, came the “Jet to Jet” drum solo, and we were presented with the energetic drummer Francis Cassol, also a Brazilian musician. Francis was chosen to be part of the Swedish and Finnish leg of the European tour and I think they could not have chosen any better! After the solo, the band played more songs from the singer’s solo career and covers. ”Assault Attack” and ”Too Young to Die, Too Drunk to Live” made the crowd sing loud, leaving the space for the final and vibrant song ”Lost in Hollywood”. The charisma of all band members made the night more than special. I am hoping they come back next year for another spectacular and nostalgic evening.

Setlist
Eyes of the World (Rainbow cover)
All Night Long (Rainbow cover)
Love’s No Friend (Rainbow cover)
Makin’ Love (Rainbow cover)
Since You’ve Been Gone (Rainbow cover)
Lazy/Keyboard Solo (Deep Purple Cover)
Imposter
S.O.S
Desert Song (MSG Cover)
Uncle John
Jet to Jet/Drum Solo (Alcatrazz cover)
Night Games
Into the Night
Assault Attack (MSG Cover)
Too Young to Die, Too Drunk to Live (Alcatrazz cover)
Lost in Hollywood (Rainbow cover)

Band members
Graham Bonnet – vocals
Conrado Pesinato – guitar
Beth-Ami Heavenstone – bass
Allessandro Bertoni – keyboards
Francis Cassol – drums

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Concert Review – Blind Guardian (Rebel, Toronto, ON, 05/09/2024)

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The most talented bards and demons in the world took the city of Toronto by storm on a more than beautiful night in celebration of pure heavy music.

OPENING ACT: Night Demon

What a fantastic night together with the bards in Toronto, my friends! And all started when we decided NOT to park at the parking lot in front of the venue, the revamped Rebel, which looks amazing from the inside and with a really cozy and ample patio, but which is also a nightmare when it comes to leaving the parking lot after the show is over. The best option is parking at the Distillery District, which is cheaper and just a 15-20min walk from the venue, plus the fact there are countless good options to eat and drink there before heading to the show. And as we’re always all about the music, let’s cut to the chase and talk a little about the unique experience of watching live NIGHT DEMON and BLIND GUARDIAN during their breathtaking The God Machine Tour 2024, another striking event brought to the city by  Noel Peters of Inertia Entertainment. Keith Ibbitson of Metal Paparazzi and I wouldn’t miss it for the world, and my excitement for seeing the bards after almost 20 years was beyond visible to anyone who knows me.

The doors at Rebel opened at 7pm, giving all concert goers enough time to have some drinks, chat outdoors (as it was a gorgeous night in Toronto, with a beautiful sunset), and buy some quality merch before Ventura, California’s own Heavy Metal trio NIGHT DEMON began their thrilling performance precisely at 8pm. Still promoting their 2023 album Outsider, the band formed of Jarvis Leatherby on vocals and bass, Armand John Anthony on the guitars, and Brian Wilson on drums put on a very energetic and fun warmup for Blind Guardian, impressing anyone who was already at the venue with their charisma and dexterity onstage. Keith said those guys sounded much more powerful live than in the studio, and I fully agree with him as the live versions of their songs do sound a lot better, which is an amazing thing because live music is what we truly love, right? And if you know nothing about those guys, go check their music on BandCamp and on Spotify, because they live and breathe Rock N’ Roll and you’ll certainly have a blast whenever they invade your city with their awesome creations.

Setlist
Prelude
Outsider
Screams in the Night
Escape From Beyond
Dawn Rider
The Howling Man
Beyond the Grave
The Wrath
Welcome to the Night
The Chalice
Night Demon

Band members
Jarvis Leatherby – vocals, bass
Armand John Anthony – guitars
Brian Wilson – drums

BLIND GUARDIAN

The excitement started to grow stronger and stronger inside Rebel until all hell broke loose when it was around 9:30pm, as German Power Metal bards BLIND GUARDIAN ignited their unforgettable performance in the city, already blasting our faces mercilessly with the all-time classic Imaginations From the Other Side. You know, when a band kicks off a show with such a deep, bold song like that, the night will be beyond amazing, of course. I bet all fans at the venue felt the exact same when André Olbrich, Marcus Siepen, Johan van Stratum, Frederik Ehmke, and obviously the band’s iconic frontman Hansi Kürsch hit the stage with their fantasy-fueled Power Metal almost nine years after their last show in Toronto.

Speaking of Hansi, I honestly don’t know how he has managed to sound the exact same for almost 40 years, stunning us all with his unique, deep vocals from start to finish. Seriously, that guy is a beast on vocals, never sounding tired or out of tune. His vocals are so impressive to the point you can play to me any live version of any of their songs, and I wouldn’t be able to say the year that was recorded. That, ladies and gentlemen, is what makes him one of the best vocalists and frontmen of the entire metal realm, and if you’ve never had a chance to see Hansi singing live, you don’t know what you’re missing. Let’s say it’s like a mandatory experience for anyone who enjoys good music, not only metal.

Back to the concert itself, the band blended some of their best, most majestic classics including Nightfall, Time Stands Still (At the Iron Hill) and Lost in the Twilight Hall, and the biggest surprise of the night (at least for me, the thrilling Into the Storm, with newer songs from their 2022 album The God Machine, those being Blood of the Elves, Violent Shadows and Secrets of the American Gods, and don’t think that because those are new songs that they sounded out of place during their set; quite the contrary, the new songs had the same impact and energy of their classic, which goes in line with what I was saying about Hansi, as his vocals turn every Blind Guardian song into a timeless sonic voyage. The reaction of the fans to all songs, including the new ones, was fantastic, with endless fists in the air, horns raised high, lots of screaming, and even some mosh pits were generated during the concert’s faster songs and moments. The sync between the band and their fans was a thing of beauty the entire night, I must say.

Any Blind Guardian concert is not complete without The Bard’s Song – In the Forest, and of course Toronto also had the pleasure of singing it along with our beloved German bards. It was simply epic, with every single person at the venue putting their hearts and souls into singing, proving why that is one of the best metal ballads of all time. And what about the encore? I was honestly getting worried they didn’t play Bright Eyes during the “regular” set, but when Hansi and his henchmen began playing it during the encore I really felt it in my heart. Right after that, let’s say it was pure metal madness with the Power Metal hymn Valhalla, with it’s iconic chorus being sung in full force by everyone at the venue, making Hansi truly proud and excited with the more-than-warm reaction of the band’s Torontonian fans. When they started playing another undisputed classic, Mirror Mirror, closing their concert on a high note, I was just a tiny bit disappointed that Majesty was left out of the setlist in Toronto, but let’s say we can’t win it all, and that their setlist was 99.9% perfect, alright? Maybe next time they visit Toronto we’ll have the pleasure of seeing them playing that classic live, because based on their successful concert in the city, the bards will be back really, really soon, no doubt about that.

Setlist
Imaginations From the Other Side
Blood of the Elves
Nightfall
The Script for My Requiem
Violent Shadows
Skalds and Shadows
Into the Storm
Secrets of the American Gods
The Bard’s Song – In the Forest
Time Stands Still (At the Iron Hill)
Lost in the Twilight Hall

Encore:
Sacred Worlds
Bright Eyes
Valhalla
Mirror Mirror

Band members
Hansi Kürsch – vocals
André Olbrich – lead, rhythm and acoustic guitars
Marcus Siepen – rhythm and acoustic guitars
Johan van Stratum – bass, backing vocals
Frederik Ehmke – drums

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Concert Review – Brother Firetribe (Logomo, Turku, Finland, 04/06/2024)

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The Headbanging Moose goes to Finland! A night of party and amazing hard rock anthems with Brother Firetribe in the lovely city of Turku kicked off the Spring season in the Land of Ice and Snow.

OPENING ACT: Trust No One

That’s right! The Headbanging Moose is now partially in Finland. Many moons ago, I, Renata Santos, helped Gustavo with some concerts and albums reviews all the way from Brazil. Now living in Finland, I get the chance to see great bands every now and then and I’ll try my best to bring these reviews to you, The Headbanging Moose audience. And to celebrate this restart here, nothing better than an evening with BROTHER FIRETRIBE, one of the most admired hard rock bands of the country. In the vibrant city of Turku, the concert room of Logomo was ignited by their electrifying performance as part of the Band on a Mission tour.

To start the evening, the crowd was treated to a great performance by TRUST NO ONE, an Electronic Rock/New Romantic Finnish duo formed by Samuli Erkkilä and Joni Suhonen. They combine elements of 80s-influenced synth-pop and vibrant guitar rock, captivating with their charisma. The band took the audience on a journey to the rhythm of virtuosic synth riffs and guitar solos. Among their original compositions, they played a new song called Let Them Fall and also delighted the audience with a mesmerizing cover of Enjoy the Silence by Depeche Mode, showcasing their versatility and musical prowess. It was the first time I saw this band and I am really sorry I don’t know the songs, but Trust No One’s performance provided a perfect prelude to the night’s festivities. You can listen to their songs on Spotify and check on their updates on Instagram.

Band members
Samuli Erkkilä – vocals, guitars
Joni Suhonen – keyboards and synthesizers
Jaro Väisänen – touring drummer

BROTHER FIRETRIBE

After a break to prepare the stage, BROTHER FIRETRIBE emerged under the spotlight. Frontman Pekka Heino commanded the stage with his captivating vocals, while Jason Flinck, Tommi Nikulainen, Hannes Pirilä and Roope Riihijärvi complete a formidable musical force. The setlist was a journey through the band’s illustrious career, showcasing their signature blend of hard rock and melodic hooks. Kicking off with the adrenaline-fueled Break Out, they seamlessly transitioned into songs I Am Rock and Man on a Mission, igniting a frenzy among the crowd.

Hard Rock anthems like Chariot of Fire and Indelible Heroes showcased the band’s full potential, just like the new single Are You Ready?, an instant success. Pekka said a couple of times that that was a “juhlapäivä” (a party day, in Finnish) and the fans definitely partied with them. Brother Firetribe’s ability to engage and connect with their audience was evident throughout the night, especially with the charisma of the vocalist that sings looking into the fans’ eyes and ask them to sing along in every song, creating an atmosphere of unity and celebration. As the main set drew to a close, the band hit the stage with For Better or for Worse and Heart Full of Fire.

Brother Firetribe’s performance at Logomo was nothing short of spectacular, cementing their status as one of Finland’s premier rock acts. They delivered a show filled with passion, energy, and infectious melodies, leaving fans exhilarated and wanting more. As the Band on a Mission tour continues to captivate audiences in Finland, they proved once again why they are a force to be reckoned with in the world of rock music.

Setlist
Break Out
I Am Rock
Man on a Mission
Chariot of Fire
Indelible Heroes
Are You Ready?
Arianne
Shock
Bring on the Rain
Rock in the City
Taste of a Champion
Battle Ground
I Salute You
Night Drive
Just Another Night
For Better or for Worse
Heart Full of Fire

Band members
Pekka A. Heino – vocals
Roope Riihijärvi – guitars
Tomi Nikulainen – keyboards
Jason Flinck – bass
Hannes Pirilä – drums

Concert Review – Anvil (El Mocambo, Toronto, ON, 04/06/2024)

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And Toronto had a night of incendiary old school Heavy Metal and Rock N’ Roll, courtesy of the most iconic metal band in the history of Canada.

OPENING ACTS: Devilwitch and Buffalo Bill

On a chilly but very pleasant Saturday night in Toronto, the city’s own Heavy Metal legends ANVIL returned for a night of classic heavy music at the old school venue El Mocambo, with supporting acts DEVILWITCH and BUFFALO BILL, inside their excellent main room curiously named “Under the Neon Palms”. Keith Ibbitson of Metal Paparazzi and I were there as usual to cover the whole night, and I gotta say that even after 40 years on the road the most iconic Canadian metal band of all time still sounds sharp, heavy and melodic, proving why they are a must-listen for anyone worldwide who considers him or herself a true metalhead.

Although due to traffic I had to miss the first couple of songs by the opener of the night, Toronto-based Heavy Metal/Hard Rock act DEVILWITCH, as soon as I stepped into the venue they started playing the very first notes from Iron Maiden’s all-time classic Hallowed Be Thy Name, which of course won my heart instantly. Born and raised in Toronto, Mike Carbone (aka Ceebz) is an independent artist with a deep love for all things creative, especially musical composition and live Rock N’ Roll performances, and that passion was definitely translated to the stage Saturday night with a tight and inspired band supporting Ceebz (and I’m sorry, but I have no idea who those fantastic musicians are*), properly warming up a very good crowd for the upcoming bands. There’s some original stuff by Devilwitch on BandCamp and on Spotify; however, when Ceebz and his henchmen play live, they surely add some amazing covers to their setlist, including the aforementioned Hallowed Be Thy Name, Deep Purple’s Highway Star and, closing their show, a beautiful version for Ozzy Osbourne’s Mama, I’m Coming Home, dedicated to the memory of the undisputed, most badass, biggest metal fan in the history of Toronto, Walter Froeberich (RIP), with the back screen showing a sweet photo of Ceebz together with Walter. Simply amazing, and I’m sure if one day you have the chance to see Devilwitch live, you’ll love it.

Band members
Mike Carbone – vocals, guitars
Evil Tim – 7-string bass
Anthony Pannozzo – keyboards
Aaronik – drums

*Edit: Thanks to Keith and to Ceebz himself, I was able to get the band’s full lineup. Next time I promise I’ll do an even deeper research before publishing the reviews.

After a short break where everyone at El Mocambo (and I literally mean everyone) went for some drinks, another Torontonian attraction, Hard Rock trio BUFFALO BILL, began blasting our ears with an overdose of classic beer drinking, hell raising, Blues-infused Rock N’ Roll. Formed of Jorge Sousa on vocals and guitars, Will Shannon on bass, and Jeff Mastronardi on drums, the trio didn’t waste a single second and delivered the sheer power of the riff on stage, playing some amazing songs which, despite not knowing the name of any, sounded killer live, plus the fact they played everything at top volume. Well, as Manowar said one day, all men play on ten, right? You can listen to some of their creations on BandCamp and on Spotify, and keep an eye on their live concerts because they’re certainly a band that drives the energy of any venue up through the roof, always in the name of our good old Rock N’ Roll. And after Devilwitch and Buffalo Bill finalized their incendiary warmup, we were all more than ready for some “metal on metal”.

Band members
Jorge Sousa – vocals, guitars
Will Shannon – bass
Jeff Mastronardi – drums

ANVIL

As the stage was ready to be hammered by the one and only Canadian Heavy Metal institution ANVIL, you could sense a different feeling in the air, something absolutely old school, fun and vibrant, taking us back in time to the glory of the 80’s. And the whole concert by the iconic Steve “Lips” Kudlow on vocals and guitars, Chris “Chirst” Robertson on bass, and Robb Reiner on drums was majestic, playing songs from their early days like Oooh Baby, from their 1981 debut Hard ‘n’ Heavy, and 666, from their 1982 masterpiece Metal on Metal, to present day tunes like Take a Lesson, from their 2022 opus Impact Is Imminent, all available on Spotify, by the way. Well, they kicked off the show with Lips getting down from the stage into the floor section during March of the Crabs, playing his guitar in the middle of the crowd (and right by my side, which was awesome), a very cool touch to their show proving how much they love playing live to their fans.

A few other songs stood out among their ass-kicking setlist, inspiring all concert goers for some vigorous headbanging and horns raising. For instance, before playing Legal at Last, Lips talked about the legalization of marijuana being the only good thing Justin Trudeau did for Canada. Do you agree with that? There was also a very nice story about one of his interactions with the unparalleled Lemmy Kilmister (RIP) during a Motörhead and Anvil tour back in the 80’s, and while Lips was telling the whole story (and sorry, you’ll have to see Anvil live if you want to know all details), I kept thinking how cool it must have been to tour with a brilliant gentleman like Lemmy. Also, during the amazing Mothra, Lips got a vibrator out of his back pocket and used it to play his guitar in three different ways, something only a band like Anvil can provide us with in Christ’s own words. And what can I say about the breathtaking On Fire? By far one of the best songs of the night, I must say.

In addition to the mesmerizing performance by Lips, I must say their bassist Christ was also insane on stage, with his crazy looks and wicked facial expressions, plus of course his first-class bass playing technique, putting a huge smile on everyone’s faces. And let’s not forget the stone crusher Robb Reiner on drums, who delivered a soulful, powerful drum solo for our total delight, also pounding his drums nonstop during all songs, of course. The trio’s undeniable talent and energy made my favorite Anvil song, Badass Rock ‘n’ Roll, sound even more electrifying live, not to mention I think Lips should have renamed it “Bad-Ass Rock N’ Roll” and dedicated it to an unknown piece of shit who was farting his rotten soul out of his body during the entire night. Seriously, that guy or girl must have eaten an explosive burrito full of tainted refried beans and overloaded with rancid bell peppers, because his or her ass was definitely putrid. I told Keith I was about to call 911 because that person needed to go to ER to check if he or she was still alive. Anyway, back to the concert, of course an Anvil party is not complete without their all-time hit Metal on Metal, which again ended with Lips on the floor section (and again by my side) playing his guitar to his loyal fans, and after that he stayed among us to sing Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” together with us while the house DJ played it. Really, Lips is one of the coolest dudes in heavy music, period. And whenever Anvil take your city by storm, you know what to do.

Setlist
March of the Crabs
666
Oooh Baby
Legal at Last
Take a Lesson
Badass Rock ‘n’ Roll
Winged Assassins
Free as the Wind
On Fire
Forged in Fire
Mothra
Bitch in the Box
Swing Thing
Ghost Shadow
Metal on Metal

Band members
Steve “Lips” Kudlow – vocals, guitars
Chris “Chirst” Robertson – bass
Robb Reiner – drums

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Album Review – Arkado / Open Sea (2024)

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This Swedish Melodic Rock band invites us all to navigate the boundless expanse of the their sophomore album, where melody meets symphony in a harmonious fusion.

From the ashes of a band called BB2 (Better Be Together) founded in the early 80’s in Helsingborg, Sweden, comes a Melodic Hard Rock/AOR band named Arkado, inviting us all to navigate the boundless expanse of the their sophomore album, entitled Open Sea, where melody meets symphony in a harmonious fusion. Recorded, produced and mixed by Mikael Svensson at LdM Studios, mastered by Thomas ‘Plec’ Johansson at The Panic Room Studio, and displaying a stunning artwork by Nello Dell’Omo (Mecca, Jim Peterik, Silent Tiger, Stan Bush), the new album by vocalist and guitarist Philip Lindstrand, guitarists Patrik Svärd and Tony Rothla, bassist Bernt Lundgren (who has recently left the band, being replaced by Christer Engholm), keyboardist Mikael Svensson, and drummer Mikael Skafar is the perfect follow-up to their 2020 debut Never Say Never, introducing a slightly symphonic and heavier dimension to their signature sound and, therefore, being highly recommended for fans of Silent Tiger, Drive At Night, Streetlore, Sapphire Eyes, and Strangerland.

It’s time to embark on a musical journey through the seas of Melodic Rock with Arkado, with the cinematic intro Voyage setting the tone for the title-track Open Sea, a very melodic, powerful tune led by the striking vocals by Philip while his bandmates deliver a mix of AOR with 80’s Hair Metal the likes of Bon Jovi and Cinderella, providing us all with an exciting start to the album. The guitars by Philip, Patrik and Tony continue to embellish the airwaves in Running Through The Night, while Bernt and Mikael Skafar generate a solid base with their classy kitchen; and their Rock N’ Roll party has no time to end to the sound of I Gave My Heart, again showcasing their trademark melodious riffs, classic beats, and the whimsical keys by Mikael Svensson. The band then invests in a more harmonious, smoother sonority with the power ballad You Make Me Feel, where Philip steals the spotlight with his passionate vocals, whereas their guitars sound incendiary in the rockin’ tune Rising High, a Hard Rock feast perfect for hitting the road to the sound of the headbanging beats by Mikael Skafar.

The stylish keys by Bernt ignite the AOR extravaganza Her Mothers Lullaby, where their riffs bring an extra touch of heaviness to the overall result. It’s a good song, albeit a bit generic, though. The band gets back on track and their Melodic Rock vein gets even stronger in Long Way To Go, with the band’s guitar triumvirate filling every single space in the air with their endless energy and harmony, also presenting spot-on backing vocals in support of Philip; and Bernt keeps extracting magic and epicness from his keys in the 80’s Hard Rock tune Unchain The Night,  a lesson in rock music by Arkado where Philip is once again fantastic with his striking vocals, or in other words, it’s a must-listen for fans of the genre. There are two more songs to go and their rockin’ aura stays strong and exciting in Like Something Heaven Sent, where their guitars exhale electricity in the name of Melodic Rock, before all comes to an end with another ballad titled Show Me The Light Again, putting a charming ending to the album, overflowing endless passion thanks to the always stylish keys and piano by Bernt.

Those amazing Swedish rockers are waiting for you on Facebook and on Instagram to rock your world with news, tour dates, more of their music and so on, and you can also stream their classy creations on Spotify and, above all that, purchase your favorite copy of Open Sea by clicking HERE. If you’re an admirer of the world of Melodic Rock, Hard Rock and AOR, then it’s time to navigate across the seas of Rock N’ Roll together with the Swedish rockers of Arkado, letting their gentle yet electrifying sounds guide you like the wind always guides a sailor to safety even on unruly waters.

Best moments of the album: Open Sea, Rising High and Unchain The Night.

Worst moments of the album: Her Mothers Lullaby.

Released in 2024 Pride & Joy Music

Track listing
1. Voyage 1:33
2. Open Sea 4:28
3. Running Through The Night 3:08
4. I Gave My Heart 4:00
5. You Make Me Feel 4:25
6. Rising High 4:16
7. Her Mothers Lullaby 3:50
8. Long Way To Go 3:38
9. Unchain The Night 3:18
10. Like Something Heaven Sent 4:18
11. Show Me The Light Again 4:10

Band members
Philip Lindstrand – vocals, lead guitar
Patrik Svärd – lead & rhythm guitar
Tony Rothla – lead & rhythm guitar
Bernt Lundgren – bass
Mikael Svensson – keyboards, synths, backing vocals
Mikael Skafar – drums, backing vocals

Metal Chick of the Month – Nova Twins

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Choose your fighter… Amy Love, or Georgia South?

Get ready for double the awesomeness here at The Headbanging Moose with our talented, charismatic and stunning rock and metal ladies of the month of July, turning up the heat even more this summer. Hailing from London, England, this amazing UK duo will rock your world with their fusion of Rock N’ Roll, Punk Rock and Heavy Metal with several other styles, always sounding vibrant, fresh and dynamic and, consequently, getting a bigger and bigger fanbase with each one of their releases. I’m talking about the electrifying English Hard Rock duo Nova Twins, formed of vocalist and guitarist Amy Love, and bassist, keyboardist and backing vocalist Georgia South, two unrelenting women who will kick your ass with their first-class music, wicked videos and incendiary live performances, and I’m sure you’ll become addicted to them after knowing more about their career.

Formed in 2014 in “The Big Smoke” (under the name BRAATS, when they released a song named Bad Bitches that can be seen being performed live HERE), Nova Twins are chaotic and hyperactive, charming and insane, describing their music as “Urban Punk”, and their perfect sync comes from years and years of friendship. Having been close friends since childhood, and having played in bands that were often booked on the same bill, the duo is the perfect example of how a DIY attitude can be extremely beneficial if you love what you do and if you keep working hard to achieve your goals. Sewing their stage outfits from scratch, and filming their music videos using smartphones with the help of Georgia South’s mother, the then teenagers Amy and Georgia quickly gained considerable recognition in the local Southeast London open-mic scene, playing at renowned venues including The Fox & Firkin and Ravensbourne Arms, and releasing their debut single titled Bassline Bitch online back in 2015, leading to the release of their self-titled debut EP in 2016.

Of Iranian and Nigerian descent, vocalist and guitarist Amy Love has always had a love for the electric guitar despite not being able to play it when she first started to make music, always finding guitarists to accompany her on songs, considering very frustrating the fact she couldn’t play the guitar herself, which could cause some hurdles in her creative process; whereas Georgia South, who’s of Jamaican and Australian descent, and whose father is also a musician named William South, first started learning the bass guitar when she went to band school over a summer holiday at 13 years old. They met as teenagers through Georgia’s brother and felt a connection right away “I was introduced to Georgia’s family and we just got on like a house on fire,” said Amy in one of her interviews. “I went to her house one day and we clicked immediately.” They didn’t think about forming a band right away, though, due to Amy’s solo project and Georgia being involved in a local band, but of course, as you already know, it didn’t take long for the duo to get united in the name of Rock N’ Roll.

The duo has already released two full-length albums, those being Who Are the Girls? in 2020 and Supernova in 2022, plus their aforementioned self-titled EP in 2016, the EP Thelma and Louise in 2017, and another EP in 2017 titled Mood Swings, as well as several singles. All their wicked creations can be found on YouTube and on Spotify, including the official videos for Cleopatra, Taxi, Play Fair, K.M.B., and Wave, among others, not to mention all official and unofficial live footage such as Cleopatra live at Rock im Park in 2023, and Bassline Bitch live at Hellfest in 2019, and you can also click HERE for all things Nova Twins.

Having already toured with several amazing bands the likes of Prophets of Rage, Wolf Alice, Skunk Anansie, Bring Me The Horizon and Enter Shikari, Amy and Georgia have also collaborated with Bring Me The Horizon on the song 1×1, from their 2020 album Post Human: Survival Horror, with Koder on the song Vibrations – Remix, from the 2017 EP Vibrations, and with Tsar B on the song Flitch, found in the 2020 EP’s Unpaintable and Flitch. They’ve also performed with Fever 333 during their BBC Radio 1 Maida Vale session, won Best UK Breakthrough Band at the Heavy Music Awards, ranked in NME’s 20 best debut albums of 2020, became the face of Dr. Martens Alternative A/W campaign, and started their own custom clothing line called Bad Stitches.

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Highly vocal about the rock and metal scene, and about the musical roots that helped them craft their path to stardom, the duo is influenced by an array of artists and musicians it’s actually hard to list all or even to label them, showing how diverse their taste can be. “We’re influenced by so many different things that I don’t think we’d feel comfortable being stuck to one thing. We enjoy experiencing and being inspired by different genres, whether it’s hip-hop or jazz. Music’s music and it comes in different forms, but makes you feel different things at the right time,” commented the duo. Having Skin (of Skunk Anansie) and Tom Morello (of Rage Against The Machine) as their friends and mentors, Nova Twins strongly believe that having those mentors has been crucial for their growth as musicians, always receiving constructive feedback and technical advice from those seasoned musicians. In addition, the duo also loves to support new bands, mentioning Gully Boys, Pinkshift, Zaria, The OBGMs and HO99O9 as some of the artists they enjoy listening to and seeing live.

Regarding their live performances, Georgia mentioned in one of their interviews that she wants fans to leave their shows feeling “like they’ve released everything, and like they feel seen in the room.” They’ve been touring everywhere, taking their electrifying music to the stages in the UK, Europe and the United States, being the headliners in cities like Toronto, New York and Los Angeles, and even playing at famous European summer festivals the likes of Hellfest and Rock im Park, always taking good care of themselves to be able to perform in full force. “We’re quite disciplined. Drink fucks my vocals and if Georgia was drunk on stage there’s no way she’d be able to tap dance on her pedalboard. You have to go that step further to make sure you’re keeping alright. When we were first on tour we’d have sweets and crisps and shit on our rider, and always be hungry but forever eating and sitting in a van for eight hours all day. Now we’ve taken all the crap off, and on our day off our tour manager will try and find a cool, scenic place or a hot tub where you get a discount cos it’s winter.”

Always serious about representing their communities in the rock and punk scene, the duo believes visibility is a key part of opening the door for other black punk acts. However, in the beginning they felt alienated form the scene due to the fact that punk aesthetics are at the same time innovative but extremely strict, and despite the fact the movement is linked to anti-racism and leftist political ideologies, it’s still a white male-dominated scene. “People didn’t know where to put you on the playlist, or people wouldn’t have you play here because you didn’t ‘look rock’.” That’s one of the main reasons that led Amy and Georgia to start the Voices for the Unheard Instagram series in June 2020, as part of their efforts to further conversations around the Black Lives Matter movement, interviewing renowned artists including Big Joanie, Connie Constance and Oxymorrons, among others, about liberation, anti-racism, personal style and more, plus an exclusive Spotify playlist. Furthermore, the project culminated in a vinyl compilation and a live show on Dr. Martens’ Instagram. “We thought we were in a band just like any other band, but, as we went along, we slowly realized that when we were playing these festivals, we were looking at people that didn’t look like us backstage, and the people playing on stage didn’t look like us either. We would see people in the audience that looked like how we felt growing up, coming to shows like this. So then we were like, ‘We have to do it for them’. We are representing so much more that isn’t supported in the industry, in the mainstream, or anywhere at this point,” commented the duo.

They’ve also started seeing a lot more inclusivity in the alternative music scene, with lots of women, non-binary people and people of color being part of a new wave of rising talent, and having faced several hurdles as black women in rock music they’re more than fine as being role models to those up-and-coming artists. “We don’t shy away from being role models because, whether you like it or not, you are a role model if you have lots of people going to your Instagram every day and checking what you’re saying. We had so much difficulty at the beginning, and we don’t want that to be the case for new bands starting out now so we just like to boost people and make them feel confident and that they can strive to do anything.” And that’s why Amy and Georgia are so awesome, using their music not only to entertain us all, but also to make the whole world a more inclusive and, therefore, much better place to live.

Nova Twins’ Official Facebook page
Nova Twins’ Official Instagram
Nova Twins’ Official YouTube channel
Nova Twins’ Official Twitter

“Own your power. Whether it’s owning who you are, where you’re from. Your power could be your culture, where you’ve come from, what you’ve been through. Own it.” – Amy Love

“The world is limitless to you. There are no limits or ceilings to what you can do. The world is Supernova – you can break through.” – Georgia South

Concert Review – Fall of Earth (The Rockpile, Toronto, ON, 06/18/2023)

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A young and rising band from Edmonton kicked some ass armed with their Progressive Death Metal and Metalcore where rock will never die in Toronto last night.

INTRODUCTION: Where rock will never die…

It doesn’t mater if it’s a brand new Heavy Metal band no one knows about, a cover band of classic Rock N’ Roll or Industrial Metal, or a rock and metal karaoke night, the old school venue The Rockpile will always receive everyone with open arms, keeping the fires of rock music burning no matter what. Although it’s promoted as being in Toronto, it’s actually located in Etobicoke, an administrative district and former city within Toronto, a bit far from downtown but just a 15-minute walk from the Kipling subway station. Just don’t walk for THREE HOURS to get there like a very nice photographer named Cord Allman who was there last night. Take the subway or drive to the venue, enjoy the shows, their beer (for a very decent price), and have a good time with all the nice people who are always there.

Keith Ibbitson of Lower Eastside Photography and I were there for FALL OF EARTH, a young and rising metal band from Edmonton, Alberta, but The Rockpile also had other attractions as part of their Father’s Day celebration, those being AL REILLY’S CATALYST performing classics from Led Zeppelin, at 7:30pm, and PERFECT STRANGERS, a famous Canadian cover band founded in 1989 in the city of Brampton, Ontario that pays homage to  one of the greatest bands of all time, Deep Purple, playing from Smoke On The Water to Highway Star, and so on. Both tribute bands were awesome, and if you’re in the area and wants to experience the true Canadian rock scene, go check The Rockpile’s schedule for several other bands like those, and even some wrestling events, which is awesome in my opinion!

FALL OF EARTH

As mentioned, right after Al Reilly’s Catalyst and before Perfect Strangers, more specifically at 8:30pm, it was time for Edmonton, Alberta-based Progressive Death Metal/Metalcore outfit FALL OF EARTH to hit the stage with their enraged but very melodic music, putting a pin on Toronto (for the second time this month) as part of their Eastern Canada tour to promote their brand new album From the Ashes, which will soon be reviewed by The Headbanging Moose. Formed in 2019 by Alex Rye on vocals, Brody Bauer on the guitars, Aaron Winklmeier on bass, and Brendan Meilleur on drums, the band plays a fusion of the music by Mastodon, Gojira, Trivium, Whitechapel and so on, with lots of Death Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Technical Death Metal, Metalcore and Deathcore influences and nuances as well, and if they’re playing in your city anytime soon don’t miss the chance to watch one of the most promising names from the Canadian Prairies.

Despite the small audience, those four guys put their hearts and souls into their performance, and I can imagine how amazing it would have been with more people at the venue and some circle pits. All songs from their setlist, from both their 2020 self-titled debut album and from From the Ashes, worked really well live, like for example the title-track From the Ashes where Alex was screaming at the top of his lungs (and he can also deliver some classy clean vocals, by the way), and the lack of some mosh pit action didn’t mean the people present at the venue didn’t enjoy their concert; quite the contrary, everyone had a very good time watching those kids kicking ass on stage, banging their heads and clapping their hands all the time, and I’m sure word-of-mouth will attract a lot more people to their next concert in Toronto when they do another big Canadian tour this fall already with a second guitarist, which will surely add even more depth to their live music.

If you’re curious to know more about their music, you can enjoy all of their creations on Spotify and watch their official videos on YouTube (and click HERE for all things Fall of Earth), showing your support to another up-and-coming metal act from Edmonton. After the show I had the pleasure to chat with Alex, Brody, Aaron and Brendan, and their passion for heavy music is just as great as their talent on stage. They’re huge fans of bands like Gojira, Trivium, Megadeth, Whitechapel, and other metal giants, and it’s nice to see them crafting high-quality new music by mixing their influences with their own twist. Keep an eye on Fall of Earth because those guys are going places, and who knows, maybe we’ll already see them touring the United States or playing at some amazing European summer festivals in 2024. and last but not least, thanks a lot to Jon Asher of Asher Media Relations for inviting us to the event, and to Kristen Cholak and Paul Husband of The Next Level Entertainment Consulting Inc. for supporting such promising band of the Canadian scene.

Band members
Alex Rye – vocals
Brody Bauer – guitars
Aaron Winklmeier – bass
Brendan Meilleur – drums

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Metal Chick of the Month – Elana Justin

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Can’t believe I’m lost inside your eyes… And anything and everything don’t you know I’m up for it tonight…

As the winter might be hitting most of us in the Northern Hemisphere in full force, let’s turn up the heat here on The Headbanging Moose by paying a humble tribute to an up-and-coming lady who definitely knows how to rock, living and breathing old school and modern-day Hard Rock, and always showcasing a deep passion for music and arts in general. Owner of a beautiful voice that matches perfectly with the riffs from her own band Motive Black, our metal lady of the month of February will kick your ass mercilessly and hypnotize you with her looks and music. I’m talking about Elana Justin, a New Yorker who’s making a name for herself in the competitive American market, in special in her current city Los Angeles, California, in the United States. Having said that, are you ready for a Rock N’ Roll ride together with Elana and her Motive Black?

Elana has always been into music, growing up doing musical theatre and singing Hard Rock and Heavy Metal simultaneously. As mentioned by Elana herself, her father had a nightclub while she was growing up, and on Thursdays they would have a singer-songwriter night. “I think watching and listening to everyone during that time really inspired me to want to be a singer/performer,” commented Elana about her beginnings. Graduating from the bar band circuit in New York, Elana seized the opportunity to move to Los Angeles in 2018 to work on new music, suddenly finding herself immersed in the local scene and performing on open mic nights at the iconic Viper Room. That immersion and connections made with members of the local scene eventually led to a collaboration with Grammy-winning guitarist and producer Nick Rowe (Bloodsimple, Vampire Weekend), with the duo reworking a song from Elana’s former New York band, taking the music in a heavier direction. That’s how Motive Black was born.

Regarding the name Motive Black, Elana mentioned in one of her interviews that they had a lot of trouble coming up with a name for the band.  “David Buckner from Papa Roach actually came up with the name, and it fit perfectly. It really paired well with the music and vibe,” commented Elana, who also had a few words to say about the musical direction of Motive Black, venturing through the realms of Alternative Rock and Metal with Hard Rock and Rock N’ Roll nuances. “I think the music both developed naturally and was pushed a little in a certain direction. I’ve always listened to and been a fan of this genre, and when the opportunity arose to create my own new project, I was definitely excited to really delve deep into the music I love.” Furthermore, Elana’s plan is to turn Motive Black into a full-bodied band, both in the interest of touring and future work on new music as they move forward.

Motive black are just about to release their debut opus, entitled Auburn (available on all platforms HERE), with Elena’s electrifying vocals bristling with a dynamic punch and scorching tones infusing all songs with raw, ferocious timbres and searing emotions. Regarding the album title, Elana explained that the album “is named for my sister’s beautiful auburn-colored hair. Losing her forced me to reexamine my life and make significant changes. I went through a huge transitional period which included both ugly and beautiful experiences. The album is a wild ride through that journey of anger, mania, deep love, and self discovery,” complementing by saying that “I lost my sister to her battle with addiction. She was one of the smartest women I will ever know. She was a straight-A student who aspired to be a doctor. Addiction does not discriminate. I am angry that she will never realize her dreams. This song is about loss, struggle, rage, but mostly it’s about missing my sister and all of her potential. I will never laugh with anyone like I did with Mia. We need to end the stigma associated with addiction. People are meant to be loved, not judged. I miss Mia every day, and I will for my whole life.” You can already enjoy songs from Auburn on YouTube, those being Broken, Fight Alone, and the title-track Auburn, as well as stream those songs on Spotify. Elana is extremely excited about not only the launch of Auburn, but also about the upcoming months as she plans to take the music by Motive Black to the stage, and therefore to feel the energy of the crowd reacting to her music.

Inspired by books, poetry, short stories, films and plays, Elana’s musical influences aren’t directly associated with the Motive Black sound, but they provided a solid foundation for the music to flourish. She cites Joan Jett, Alanis Morissette, and Soundgarden singer Chris Cornell as her main vocal inspirations, with bands like Halestorm pushing Motive Black’s music in the direction it has taken. “I’m a huge Halestorm fan; Lzzy Hale is a huge inspiration. I’m also really into Bring Me The Horizon lately.  I really love their creativity. Rival Sons was the last live show I saw before Covid. They were incredible. The vocals and musicianship left a huge impression on me,” commented Elana about some of the bands she enjoys the most. In addition, when asked which musician or celebrity she would date, her answer exhaled pure Rock N’ Roll. “I would have to say, Joan Jett. She oozes sex and power. She so inspires me, and just being around her would expand my consciousness.”

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One of the songs from Motive Black’s debut album, the thrilling Lift Me Up, featuring the red hot synergy of Elana performing together with Butcher Babies’ one and only Carla Harvey in a street fighting sequence fans will want to view on repeat. “I wanted the video to focus on female strength. The director and I worked together to come up with an idea that spoke to that. It was also fun to step out of my comfort zone and try something new. I’ve never done anything combat related so it seemed like it would be a fun avenue to explore. The director, Dale Resteghini, also directed the video for Broken. I’m a Butcher Babies fan, so when the song was played for Carla and she agreed to perform on it I was super excited. Carla is a great example of a badass woman killing it in the music industry. I think her vibe fits the song perfectly. She really added something special to Lift Me Up. Working together really brought the song up to a new level,” commented Elana, complementing by saying that “I think it’s really important for people to see women working together to create music and art. We keep seeing it more and more and it’s so exciting. It’s essential for women in this industry to stick together and support each other. There is so much more female visibility in this kind of music than there was even just a few years ago.”

When questioned about the differences between the rock and metal scene in New York on the lower east side compared to the music scene on the legendary Sunset Strip in Los Angeles, Elana said that she has felt really embraced by the scene in Los Angeles since moving there, jamming at the Viper Room and meeting tons of talented musicians, as there’s always a lot going on in the city. When asked about how her hometown has influenced her sound, she said that she thinks there is a rawness that runs through every song that may not be present had she been from somewhere else.  “Who knows? I’m pretty laid back in general, I think and love living here in LA now. I save all my angst for the music!”

Elana strongly believes that drawing from experience gives the lyrics legs to stand on. “When something comes from a real place it almost writes itself. People want to connect – so I think songs from experience really resonate with listeners,” commented our diva, also saying that “everything that I write is emotion or experience driven, but sometimes a cool riff inspires lyrics that come out of nowhere and you work backwards to find the truth in them. It doesn’t always work – but there isn’t just one recipe I use. Other times I have something very specific that I want to say or reference and then I work with that to express what I am trying to get across.” She also believes that to be a successful musician or artist, especially in the very competitive landscape of the current music and arts industry, one should never give up, and be willing to persevere when times are tough or when there are too many obstacles that get in one’s way. Elana is indeed a fighter ready for any battle that comes her way, as not only she’s now beginning her path with Motive Black, but she’s also an actress (as you can see in her IMDB profile), having already featured in G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2013) and The Jim Gaffigan Show (2015).

Although our amazing singer has never been big into social media, she said she’s been adjusting to that as that’s going to play a big part in the way Motive Black connect to their fans and share their music for the foreseeable future. “I believe the more we can connect directly with our fans, the better chance we have not only to survive – but to thrive, long term.  Having loyal fans who are really into what we do – and are directly connected to us – the better chance we have to remain viable long term, no matter what the industry circumstances are,” said Elana, who also said that she wants people to hear her songs and reinterpret them into something that is meaningful to them. She wants us all to “be bold, be brave and always keep moving forward,” exactly like what she’s doing in her promising career in rock and metal music, and I’m sure we’ll hear a lot more from her in a not-so-distant future.

Motive Black’s Official Facebook page
Motive Black’s Official Instagram
Motive Black’s Official YouTube channel
Motive Black’s Official Twitter

“I want people to hear my songs and reinterpret them into something that is meaningful to them. I want them to empower, and be an outlet for whoever is listening.” – Elana Justin

Album Review – Tidal Wave / The Lord Knows (2023)

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An impressive and memorable collection of songs that aims to fill each air particle with fire, fuzz and power by an up-and-coming Swedish Heavy Rock outfit.

Forged in 2019 in the fires of Sundsvall, a city and the seat of Sundsvall Municipality in Västernorrland County, Sweden, the Heavy Rock quartet that goes by the name of Tidal Wave is ready to crush our souls with their new album The Lord Knows, drawing from a fertile wellspring of influences including classic bands like Black Sabbath, Nirvana, and Audioslave. Comprised of Alexander ‘Sunkan’ Sundqvist on vocals, Jesper ‘Jerpo’ Sjödin on the guitars, Adam ‘Aden’ Nordin on bass, and Rasmus ‘Raz’ Sundberg on drums, Tidal Wave offer us all in their new album an impressive and memorable collection of songs that aims to fill each air particle with fire, fuzz and power, delivering epic solos for ages and mind-blowing vocals and, therefore, carving their names in the Swedish Heavy and Stoner Rock scene.

The dirty bass by Adam and the groovy riffage by Jesper kick off the rockin’ tune Lizard King, perfect for hitting the road due to its Heavy Rock sound with hints of Stoner and Sludge Metal, not to mention how powerful the vocals by Alexander sound. Then it’s pedal to the metal because it’s time for a Rock N’ Roll party titled End of the Line, a fast and electrifying tune showcasing an amazing job done by Rasmus on drums while Jesper keeps slashing our ears with his old school riffs; followed by Marijuana Trench, bringing forward six minutes of an acid musical trip for the masses. Needless to say, Alexander keeps kicking ass on vocals supported by the rumbling bass by Adam. And the band invests into an almost pure Stoner Metal sound in Pentagram, reminding me of giants of the genre such as Black Sabbath, Candlemass and Pentagram, with Rasmus dictating the song’s obscure pace with his sluggish beats.

Let’s bang our heads like there’s no tomorrow to the sound of Robbero Bobbero, sounding visceral and thrilling form start to finish with Alexander taking the lead with his sick vocals, while Jesper and Adam deliver a raw stringed attack for our total delight. Rasmus ignites another one of the band’s Heavy Rock onrush in By Order of the King, which despite starting as the soundtrack to an action movie car chase, it loses its punch after a while; whereas enhancing their heaviness to a whole new level they offer our avid ears the sinister, melancholic and grim Purple Bird, with Alexander once again stealing the show with his passionate vocal performance. And last but not least, it’s time for one final Heavy Rock tune infused with acid titled Thorsakir, again presenting the band’s trademark guitar dirtiness and doomed beats and with Adam being on fire armed with his bass, bringing groove and thunder to the music.

If you want to drown under the majestic waves of Heavy Rock crafted by those Swedish rockers, you can find all details about them on Facebook and on Instagram, and don’t forget to also stream their creations on YouTube and on Spotify, or simply click HERE for all things Tidal Wave. The excellent The Lord Knows, available for purchase from Ripple Music’s BandCamp page, webstore or Big Cartel (as a CD or as a deluxe vinyl edition), sets the bar high for Tidal Wave in their upcoming releases, living up to the legacy of Scandinavian Heavy Rock and, consequently, adding even more fuel to the band’s tank to keep on rockin’ in our free world.

Best moments of the album: End of the Line, Marijuana Trench and Robbero Bobbero.

Worst moments of the album: By Order of the King.

Released in 2023 Ripple Music

Track listing
1. Lizard King 4:08
2. End of the Line 3:34
3. Marijuana Trench 6:29
4. Pentagram 5:45
5. Robbero Bobbero 4:39
6. By Order of the King 5:38
7. Purple Bird 5:07
8. Thorsakir 5:57

Band members
Alexander ‘Sunkan’ Sundqvist – vocals
Jesper ‘Jerpo’ Sjödin – guitar
Adam ‘Aden’ Nordin – bass
Rasmus ‘Raz’ Sundberg – drums