By Robin Ianson
Like a boot to the head, Hatebreed’s latest album, Supremacy, is impossible to ignore. It’s loud, heavy and very, very angry. Arguably the most successful hardcore band to ever emerge from the underground, Hatebreed have had to endure the ‘sell-out’ label ever since frontman Jamey Jasta began hosting MTV’s Headbanger’s Ball in 2003. Even if… Continue reading Spun: Hatebreed
By Robin Ianson
While most people’s exposure to the world of puppetry has been limited to Saturday morning children’s shows and corny ventriloquist acts, Calgarian Xstine Cook’s International Festival of Animated Objects is working to change all that. The IFAO runs Jan. 19-28 and will highlight the best and brightest from the world of puppetry, masks and all… Continue reading Puppets and penises
By Robin Ianson
When a band decides to name itself Hurt after how their music sounds, it would seem like a safe bet to assume they are just another whiny emo band. Although the album features plenty of emo lyrics, calling Hurt emo is about as accurate as labeling Geroge Dubya MENSA material.Hurt is a band that doesn’t… Continue reading Spun: Hurt
By Robin Ianson
Suppose that back in the ’70s David Bowie became hopelessly addicted to candy bars and amphetamines instead of heroine and cocaine, and the result would probably sound something like Ima Robot. Monument to the Masses is the sophomore release from one of the most ADHD, spastic, rambunctious sounding rock bands to ever release a record.… Continue reading Spun: Ima Robot
By Robin Ianson
Murphy’s law states that if something can go wrong, it will, and Killswitch Engage knows this all too well. Their second album, Alive or Just Breathing, was a surprise success and suddenly Killswitch Engage was one of the coolest new bands in heavy metal. The strain of constantly touring to support the album proved too… Continue reading We’ve reached defcon four… engage the Killswitch!
By Robin Ianson
Carnival is the latest from Kasey Chambers, and fortunately it’s not about her childhood memories of freaky carnies and greasy corndogs. Country through and through, Chambers grew up in Australia’s vast outback and cut her musical teeth learning acoustic guitar around the campfire from her mom and pop. Despite receiving props from both alt-country goddess… Continue reading Spun: Kasey Chambers
By Robin Ianson
By Robin Ianson
Despite any implications their name may carry, Lamb of God are not some wussy, hand-clapping gospel group helping lost souls find their way. Lamb of God are one of heavy metal’s current powerhouses and are back to bust some skulls on their newest release, Sacrament. LoG seem to subscribe to the policy: “Don’t mess with… Continue reading Spun: Lamb of God
By Robin Ianson
One of the most bizarrely named festivals ever to exist is celebrating its second birthday. The Giant Incandescent Resonating Animation Festival, better known by its less cumbersome acronym, GIRAF, is the brainchild of ACAD student Brandon Blommaert. Blommaert felt Calgary was lacking a venue to showcase the world of animation, in particular the realm of… Continue reading Weird name, weird cartoon
By Robin Ianson
Ian Kelly’s Insecurity is the debut album from this young Montreal singer/songwriter, and unlike many artists who are indie for the sake of being indie, Kelly is the real deal. Recorded at his house using money he borrowed from his mother, Kelly plays every instrument on the album and penned all the songs. Kelly ostensibly… Continue reading Spun: Ian Kelly