New Metal Review: Multinational Corporations: Jamat-al-Maut

   One of the biggest reasons why the Heavy Metal Sasquatch loves the delicious taste of metal is its ability to convey powerful messages to its listeners alongside bone crushing power. Multinational Corporations (aka MxCx) is no stranger to this concept, unleashing a hellstorm of hate and power in their debut EP "Jamat-al-Maut", which translates roughly to "University of Death". Hailing from Lahore, Pakistan, Multinational Corporations' Jamat-al-Maut runs slightly over 13 minutes long and features an assault of crust infused grindcore and old school heavy metal with clear influences of bands such as Black Sabbath, Napalm Death, Municipal Waste, Insect Warfare, & Doom.

   The first track off the EP sets the stage perfectly with the title "Fuck Your Patriotism", which unleashes quick brutal drumming and crusty as hell guitar riffs. Jamat-al-Maut is a killer album, merging heavy doom riffs together with old school death vocals. The instrumentals on this album are simple but wicked as hell, featuring a combination of slow doom riffs and technical groove/grindcore progressions. My favourite tracks from the album were Penniless Pride and L.P.C; which both included heavy doom guitar riffage, as well as straight to the point no nonsense drumming. Both tracks also have very respectable and absolutely killer old school guitar solos, demanding huge respect from the Yeti. /,,/ /,,/

    Jamat-al-Maut is musically unique as well as some very powerful stuff. Each song is clearly and effectively fuelled by intense emotion,  with the band claiming its inspiration from "anger accumulated over time due to the fucked up conditions of living in Pakistan". While I cannot attest directly to their strife, Multinational Corporations very successfully voices their contempt for Pakistani as well as global society.  Listen to and grab a download of Multinational Corporations' Jamat-al-Maut below. As always also make sure to check them out on facebook @ www.facebook.com/multinationalcorporationspakistan. /,,/


 - I enjoyed Multinational Corporations on all levels. Musically I really dig their fusion of grindcore, doom, and old school heavy metal and politically I share their disdain for the fucked up situation our planet finds itself in. This album is absolutely worth a listen. So get angry and commence the headbang!
-My Verdict
\m/\m/\m/\m/ out of \m/\m/\m/\m/\m/
4/5 - Anger fuelled crust at its finest!!

New Metal Review: Unscathed - In Command

   The local metal underground surrounding the Heavy Metal Sasquatch is full of delicious metal to browse on. And now finally one of the Yeti's all time favourite underground bands, Unscathed,  has released their first mastered song off their soon to be released 5 track EP. Unscathed makes their debut with a track entitled In Command, which sets forth a furiously paced combination of thrash metal full of technical progressive brilliance. This song does not let up for an instance, constantly delivering non-stop eruptions of galloping shreddtastic guitars, full throtle drumming, and aggressive hard hitting vocals. I absolutely love the speed and ferocity of this track. Unscathed is redefining the thrash metal genre, blending old school influences of Iron Maiden & Testament with new age technicality and ferocity of death and progressive metal. Listen to "In Command" as well as recieve as free download below! Keep and eye out for the full EP once it is released. And as always, make sure to support the band on facebook @ www.facebook.com/weareunscathed /,,/ 



- Unscathed is an entirely independent band, doing all of the writing, recording, producing, and mastering completely themselves. It is for this reason that I believe the band should be extremely proud of themselves for turning out such outstanding end product. In Command by Unscathed never lets up, inciting a riot like state on the Yeti upon every listening. I am very eager to here what else Unscathed has in store with their debut!
- My Verdict  
\m/\m/\m/\m/\n out of \m/\m/\m/\m/\m/
4.5/5 - A relentless assault on brain and neck

Death Metal Showcase: Wretchedpain

   With a wide margin of Ontario's metal scene flooded with bands looking to break though the classic molds of metal, pure old fashion death metal is hard to come by. Thankfully for us, Wretchedpain is keeping the spirit of death metal alive, helping the masses remember the brutal awesomeness of pure unfiltered, no bullshit death metal. While Wretchedpain formed over a decade ago, they released their debut album "Conregratation" in 2010. The end result was a masterpiece professionally mixed and mastered by veteran Chris "Zeuss" Harris, producer to metal giants such as Hatebreed, Chimaira, Whitechapel, and Shadows Fall. The album was a huge success for the band, receiving considerable attention and inspiring many a head-bang along the way.  Since then Wretchedpain has toured excessively, undertaking relentless gigs and festivals through the years; playing alongside big names such as Cryptopsy, Napalm Death, Threat Signal, Suffocation, Baptized in Blood, & The Faceless.

   In the summer of 2013, Wretchedpain released their new EP "The Hell You Seek", with the help of Jean-Francois Dagenais of Kataklysm for mixing and mastering. The result is another excellent example of pure technical death metal in its finest form. Wretchedpain combines a wicked classic death metal drumming style with an intense groove and brutal heaviness on guitar and a consistent aggressive vocal track. I love every song that this band has released so far; providing me with the heart pounding aggression and power that I love the most in metal! 

   Wretchedpain is a band determined to be heard; and with the band recently returning from a two-week European tour and a plethora of gigs on the horizon, the Yeti has his money on these boys to make it huge. You can check out Wretchedpain's music live at their upcoming show at the Wacken Metal Battle in Toronto (April 4, 2014 @ the Rivoli), where they perform for a spot to play at the Wacken Open Air festival in Germany. As well, you can also catch them at the upcoming Chaos Fest in Hamilton (April 6, 2014 @ Club Absinthe) alongside Thy Art is Murder & Fallujah. Keep up to date with tour dates and music on the bands facebook site @ www.facebook.com/Wretchedpain and buy their music online @ www.itunes.com/wretchedpain. Check out their music below and make sure to give these boys the support they deserve!

- Bands like Wretchedpain are exaclty what the metal scene needs these days. A Band that delivers furious aggression and breakneck riffs, without relying on blast beats or breakdowns for mass appeal. With two killer releases under their belt already, Wretchedpain's future is bright, appealing heavily to the old school death metal crowds who are eager to embrace brutality at its best! 
- Be sure to check out the band and share them with your death metal loving friends. /,,/ As always, Keep it heavy.

Between the Buried and Me - Parallax II :Future Sequence @ the Phoenix,Toronto (2/28/14)

   Last night the Heavy Metal Sasquatch had the honour of seeing Between the Buried and Me for the 9th time; and for what was perhaps their best one yet. The band flawlessly performed the Parallax II: Future Sequence album in entirely with no interruptions, unleashing a hell storm of fury upon Toronto. After a brief break they came back out to end the gig on a high note with Son of Nothing, launching the Yeti to metal bliss. I am already counting down the days until the next time these boys swing through town! Here's a collection of pictures I took throughout the set. Cheers as per usuall to the band as well as the crazies I clashed with in the pit /,,/  

-Heavy Metal Sasquatch out! /,,/ /,,/

New Metal Review: BabbaR - SnakeSkin (Official Music Video)

   The Heavy Metal Sasquatch is always craving metal. And the crunchy beats, deep rhythms, and heavy vocals I crave the most are ripe in the debut music video "SnakeSkin" from the Niagara based Metal Beasts of BabbaR's Roundtable. SnakeSkin is an absolutely killer song showcasing some serious aggression and incredible groove metal mastery. The video begins with a bang and quickly picks up the pace, delivering fast and technical bone breaking fret and stick work throughout. While the video has a very simple concept it features some wicked and interesting footage of the band delivering their fury. Although I would have liked a few more special effects or some sample video cut ins, the music video is extremely well shot and sets the stage perfectly for BabbaR's debut  EP "The Incipient". Check out the video for SnakeSkin below and support the band online @www.facebook.com/pages/BabbaR and give their full EP a listen @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAnjC-PscDI

- I thoroughly enjoyed BabbaR's video for SnakeSkin as well as their entire EP "The Incipient". Their music is heavy as hell and the songs are undeniably well written; all having a flow that keeps my head furiously banging!
- My Verdict
\m/\m/\m/\m/ out of \m/\m/\m/\m/\m/
4/5 - Fast, brutal, and worth the neck cramp!

Metal Yeti's Top 3 Bands to Watch Out For in 2014!

    We are a few weeks into the new year and it's already shaping up to be a killer year for metal. 2014 has already promised outstanding concert & festival line ups as well as potential studio releases from blockbuster metal bands such as Behemoth, Agalloch, Anthrax, Slayer, Deftones, Slipknot, & Arch Enemy. But while the big names of metal promise a great year to come, something huge is looming in the underground of southern Ontario. There is a ton of talent brewing throughout the Ontario metal scene, however there are a few bands that i feel everyone needs to be keeping extra close tabs on. Here are my top 3 bands to keep an eye out for this year.

ENDING TYRANNY - I have a feeling that 2014 is going to be a huge year for Brantford's death metal king pins. Having recently released their full length album "Perpetual Greed" as well as being signed to the small record label "Ghost Vision Records & Entertainment", the band has been receiving a lot of attention from promoters as well as festival coordinators. Ending Tyranny is already set to headline Niagara Falls' Breakthrough Festival in March, and is sure as hell to make appearances at a number of other metal festivals and venues throughout the year. Ending Tyranny is on the verge of exploding, so make sure to check them out in person and online @ www.facebook.com/EndingTyranny & @ itunes.apple.com/ca/album/perpetual-greed/.

VARGA - Being born in Hamilton, Varga was a band I heard of often. While they were at their peak just a bit before my time, I remember catching their video for their song "Greed" on late night Much Loud video flows, as well as on an episode of Beavis & Buthead. So when I heard the band was releasing a brand new album after a 17 year hiatus, I knew something killer was on its way. And so it was with their godly release of "Enter The Metal" in the fall of last year, featuring 6 songs of a brutal mixture of progressive, power, and thrash metal. Since the release Varga has received a lot of hype and has played a steady line of gigs, showing no sign of slowing down. This year definitely has a lot in store for the power thrash foursome, so make sure to check them out live and online @ www.facebook.com/pages/Varga-HQ and @ http://vargahq.com/band/.

UNSCATHED - With just over a year under their belt as a band, Unscathed spent 2013 playing a steady line up of festivals and shows as well spending considerable time in the studio. Mid way through last year the band performed a drastic change to their sound, taking on a heavier vocal direction as well as altering and refining their instrumental sound. With Unscathed set to release their first EP mid-february and a number of festivals and shows on the horizon, 2014 should be an interesting year for these unscathed progressive thrash metal demons. So keep your ears to the underground for live shows and your eyes peeled for Unscathed EP @ www.facebook.com/weareunscathed.

- The next 12 months are going to be terrific if you're metalhead. All of the big name metal news aside, each of the bands mentioned above each offer something completely unique and wicked to the metal community. Make sure to watch out for these bands in the coming months, and take every opportunity you can to check them out! 

- Support your local metal scene!! Leave a comment with your top underground bands to keep an eye on this year so everyone can check them out! \m/

New Metal Review: Deathpoint - Between the Lines (Official Video)

    Deathpoint has been on the Yeti's radar for some time now, with their 2013 release "Sinister" receiving a lot of attention in my playlist rotation. Because of this I am very excited to present to you the official music video for the song "Between the Lines", off their aforementioned killer album. Deathpoint is groove metal at its finest, featuring technical and hard hitting instrumentals in combination with honed aggressive vocals; perfection for the head-banging enthusiast. The video for Between the Lines is fantastic and enthralling, showcasing a deranged family man at his worst and brilliant HD footage of the band delivering their brutal ballad. On top of this the video has remarkable flow, responding appropriately to its musical counterparts, making it an extremely enjoyable watch. Check the video out below and make sure to support the band @ www.facebook.com/deathpoint.metal and itunes.apple.com/ca/album/sinister \m/

- I enjoyed everything that this video had to offer. The song of choice "Between the Lines" is one of my favourites off the album and was a perfect choice for the video, making for a unique and intriguing watch that keeps you hooked to the end. Furthermore, the HD footage of the band performing was fantastic, showcasing the serious talent behind the reigns of Deathpoint.
- My Verdict
\m/\m/\m/\m/\m/ out of \m/\m/\m/\m/\m/
5/5 - Absolutely Killer! 

New Metal Review: Persefone - Spiritual Migration

   The Heavy Metal Sasquatch lives purely off raw power, requiring a constant and steady amount of face melting metal for sustenance. While a wide variety of metal bands suit the dietary needs of the "Metal Yeti", he prefers the technical complexity and the crunchy yet delicious musical variations associated with progressive metal. Persefone is one of these such delicious treats. Persefone calls themselves "progressive melodic death metal", but it feels like %100 tasty Prog to the Yeti. Their latest full length album Spiritual Migration is a masterpiece delivering brutally heavy riffs in combination with technical brilliance and beautifully timed special effects. Spiritual Migration is terrific from front to back, running an impressive seventy one minutes, and failing to disappoint on any level; successfully provoking many deep cerebral thoughts and emotions at the same time. This album is top tier prog metal, not heavily relying on any one specific style of play, while very successfully melding experimental instruments and sounds. Furthermore, their use of nature throughout the album provided a vivid feeling of tranquility; which is a stark contrast to the raw power and fury that was never to far away in the album as well as throughout the biological world. Listen to the full album below and make sure to check them out on facebook @ www.facebook.com/Persefoneband and buy their merch @ www.persefone.com. \m/

- Persefone's Spiritual Migration blew me away and is definitely worth your time and listening pleasure. It has been years since I've heard a prog metal band of this unique caliber. Persefone took a while to reach my ears, but i'm hoping they reach yours soon so you to can discover your new favourite band. "Innovative music for the open-minded listener".
- My Verdict
\m/\m/\m/\m/\m/ out of \m/\m/\m/\m/\m/
5/5 - Progtastic

Cryptopsy Live @ Club Absinthe, Hamilton - Dec 8, 2013

   Last night the Heavy Metal Sasquatch had the honour of witnessing the metal gods of Cryptopsy destroy Hamilton's Club Absinthe as part of their Quebec & Ontario based tour dubbed "The December Massacre"! And they weren't lying, with all bands of the night performing absolutely ruthless crushing sets. Adding to the carnage was Cryptopsy, who played a lengthy brutal and technical set, featuring many songs off the "None So Vile" album as well as some killer songs off their new completely independent self-titled release. Here are some pictures I took through out the night. Cheers to all the crazies I clashed with in the pit! \m/
Support Cryptopsy and buy their music @ http://cryptopsy.ca

- Cheers to Myriarchy, Unscathed, Ending Tyranny, Last Scattering, Cryptopsy for one of the most memorial shows of my life! 

- Heavy Metal Sasquatch out \m/

UNSCATHED IS COMING!

THEY ARE COMING!

WE ARE UNSCATHED!