The 5 Year Plan: I'll Get Back to You in 5 More Years

Alright, so officially summer doesn't come to an end until September 21st, but for all intents and purposes this summer is starting to run out of gas and will surely fall short of the mark.

It seems like it was only a month or so ago that I tossed the books and shenanigans of University aside for another year. Truth of the matter is that was four months and one more summer has officially been pissed down the tubes. While better than the last few that passed before it, summer has a tendency to go by way too fast to really be enjoyable.

There's still a week of full-time work hours to sink and a weekend full of shenanigans to be had, but it already feels like the plug is being pulled on the summer - except for the fact that it's hot as hell out this week.

Come next Wednesday I'll be back with my nose to the grindstone in what should be my final year at University, at least as an undergrad. As for beyond that, I'm still at a bit of a loss. Once I'm done, I don't know what's next, despite how long it's taken for me to get to this point in time.

I'm sure that I'm not the only person who's been asked the next question before:  

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Someone asked me that just over five years ago - and my answer is still more or less the same: Hell if I know, ask me in five years.

I've always been more of a person who goes from day to day. I don't have an ultimate goal in life, no real dreams to speak of; my future is basically a shroud of uncertainty. And that's kind of annoying. I wouldn't say it's because I lack perspective, but more that I lack it in the right places. That or I just haven't had my eyes opened fully yet. I see the world but I don't necessarily see my place in it.

What I can say is that in this past year, I have learned more about myself than I have throughout the rest of these paltry 23 years. 

I've come to a few realizations, changed some of my ways and in general things are somewhat on the up.

Too little too late? Just in the nick of time? Who knows. All I know is that I don't have the time, nor the desire to have to deal with certain types of trivial bullshit anymore. My time would be much better served focusing on other things and less on things that bring me nothing but grief. So consider this is an open letter:

To whom it may concern,

Fuck you.

That is all.

- J.K.A.

Fall Tours Update: Nerdfest USA Confirmed

Devin Townsend announced a short West coast tour about a month ago featuring British Djent phenoms TesseracT, who have more than a few people eagerly awaiting their long overdue debut album release.

This would be the first time they'd be touring on this side of the pond, however there were only 7 or 8 dates announced for what would be a truly short tour. 

But then a few days ago MetalSucks let word loose that more dates were planned to be added to the tour, having it take a swing through the East Coast, in Canada and the US. It seemed almost like they pulled these dates out of thin air, as Devin and TesseracT only officially added a handful of those 'new' dates to the tour, following the news - until yesterday anyway.

Dubbed Nerdfest USA by MetalSucks, the tour will be rolling into Montreal on November 2nd - and I expect to be there - or die in a fire otherwise.

My last meeting with Devin was when I very luckily managed to catch him on tour with Between the Buried and Me, Cynic and Scale the Summit this winter - which sits near the top on my list of best live shows I've ever seen. His recent work is varied and quite awesome, I'm looking forward to the last two parts of his four part project, which according to the man himself, are to be released either simultaneously or very close together in the future.

TesseracT is one of the first bands I discovered upon delving into the world of Djent, so to be able to see them live would be quite awesome and would provide me with another check on my list of bands high on my current Must See list.

As for Ottawa, some recent tour announcements will make my current home look even better, following the mild bashing I gave it in my post from a few days ago. The Black Dahlia Murder announced a tour today with support from Goatwhore, adding to an already awesome looking start to the fall.

Here's are some other dates and names to keep an eye on in Ottawa in the coming months:

Sept. 24th - Comeback Kid, A Whilhelm Scream + Devil in Me @ Ritual
Oct. 5th - The Black Dahlia Murder, Goatwhore + Arkaic @ Ritual
Oct. 11th - We Came As Romans, In Fear and Faith, Upon A Burning Body @ Maverick's
Nov. 21 - Evile, Bonded by Blood @ Maverick's

Surely more to come, so keep an ear to the ground.

A Tsunami of Metal: The Winds of Shit Are Coming

I enjoy me some Metal. I also love me some awesome metal shows. Living in Ottawa is however somewhat of a curse. The town is not known for it's plethora of tours to choose from. Montreal is obviously the place to be for pretty much any music scene, but especially the Metal scene. If there's a North American tour going with a pass through Canada at all, you're bound to see it take a stop there.

Other cities get the love, but Ottawa tends to get left out in the cold, despite many tours having a day split between Montreal and Toronto dates - in which Ottawa would be a quick and simple stop to make, since it's en route between the two.

Regardless of my personal gripes, Ottawa does get some awesome shows and I've been to many. And Montreal isn't so far away as to turn into the Hulk and go on a warpath of anger, knowing you won't see that band you really like.

That being said, Ottawa is going to be a decent place to be for the next couple months and Montreal will also serve it's role well, as there is more than a few great tours coming around within the next couple months. Here's just a few for the curious:

Ottawa

Sept. 3rd - Beneath the Massacre @ Maverick's
Sept. 10th - Hatebreed, Emmure, Dead and Divine + Baptized in Blood @ Capital Music Hall
Sept. 14th - Blind Witness, Chelsea Grin + Attila @ Maverick's
Sept. 28th - As I Lay Dying, All That Remains, Unearth + Carnifex @ Capital Music Hall
Oct. 14th - Despised Icon (Final Tour) @ Ritual

Montreal

Nov. 2nd - Devin Townsend + TesseracT @ Foufounes Électriques (still to be confirmed)
Nov. 22nd - August Burns Red @ Metropolis

I've missed quite a few tours in Montreal because of awesome timing on the part of my University exam schedule. August Burns Red was one such case, last year. Therefore this year will be one of redemption, as they've been at the top of my Must See list for quite some time now.

There's plenty more shows on the books and more to be announced, as always, but the next few months are looking to be quite, righteous.

p.s. - Gratuitous Trailer Park Boys reference for my friends - and anyone cool enough to know and love the Boys.

Summer: A Farewell to Friends

So it's August 23rd - 24th in about an hour from now. I just realized for the fifth or sixth time in the past week that this summer has really flown by. It seems each summer goes by without a second notice these days.

And that really sucks. But that's just the way she goes.

The end of summer usually epitomizes a few things. The end of full-time hours at the office and my return to University, to name a few. But this being my (hopefully) last year, means that come the end of next summer I'm not sure exactly what position I'll be in - or what I'll be doing necessarily.

One thing I can count on is to be around some genuine classy individuals in between then and now - and most likely after. One of these Duder McDudington's (yeah that guy) is packing up his saddle and moseying across the pond for a month in our ancestral homeland - Euroville (a.k.a. Europe).

Summer's coming to a close in a couple weeks, so there's still some time left to get a few kicks in before it's back to the academic grindstone. This past Monday night was the first of many of these shindigs as we showered our comrade in chicken wings, delicious Strongbow and really, really awkward jokes.

Bon voyage mon ostie d'tabarnak.

p.s. - Bring me back a Vildhjarta t-shirt or we're not friends anymore.

p.p.s. - I'm serious.

Villains: Being Bad Never Felt So Good

Hold the presses, Gamespot is doing another All-Time Greatest [insert subject here] bracket. Uhhhh - right...

The last time they did this it was for the Greatest video game Hero of all time. There were a lot to choose from - some ridiculously obvious, others slightly intriguing. After all, finding 64 'contestants' for a bracket such as this doesn't seem like it would be too hard, but you'd be surprised.

Kefka, FFVI

Too sum things up, the final four consisted of : Mario, Link, Samus Aran and Gordon Freeman. All glaringly obvious choices, especially when you consider the bracket style. However some of the brackets were pretty lop-sided. Throw one of these pairs against each other in the round of 64 and you'd have quite a few gamers pulling their hair out. In the end Gordon Freeman was the winner, beating out Mario by about 20,000 votes.

This time the bracket will be for the Greatest VG Villain of all time. Once again I see many familiar names - only two of the 64 were foreign to me. Some purists would call the result of the hero bracket simply crazy. Which is why I get the feeling that there could be a whole boatload of fanboism to be had in this bracket. Something that could cause some serious fisticuffs and tomfooleries if discussed between certain individuals.

Every other gaming blog or website tends to do a top 10 list of their favorite characters now and again. Usually you'll tend to see many familiar names in between all of these lists. The potential problem I see with something like this is how unfamiliarity breeds a certain sense of ignorance. And I've had this very debate with people before. Ganon or Bowser? Revolver Ocelot or Albert Wesker? It goes on and on.

But on more than one occasion someone undoubtedly names Sephiroth, to which I counter with Kefka. And then, unsurprisingly, someone says:  

"Who the hell is Kefka?"

If you take a gander through the list of characters in the bracket you'll come across some from every genre. But you have to wonder: will the votes some of these characters get coming down to the final rounds really be about the fact that these dudes (and dudettes) are ridiculously badass? Or will it turn into a popularity contest?

Regardless, it all boils down to opinions. And just like assholes, everyone's got one. I have the feeling we'll see at least one renowned Blizzard villain make the final four, but I wouldn't be all that surprised to see all three of them make it to the finals of this bracket. Those of course being Arthas Menethil the Lich King, Diablo the Lord of Terror and Kerrigan the Queen of Blades.

Better question: who are you voting for?

Forecast: A 90% Chance of Djent

Anyone familiar with the band Meshuggah or the name Bulb should already be well familiar with the concept and sound of Djent.

When I was younger I - hell I'm only 23 - I used to enjoy listening to Meshuggah purely for their intriguing, complex and technical style of music which evolves constantly with each new album. Tracks like Rational Gaze, Glints Collide, New Millenium Cyanide Christ, Stengah, Future Breed Machine and many more,  provide a good intro primer to the world of Djent.

Despite my past knowledge of the 'genre', it wasn't until six months ago when my seeming love affair with Djent kicked into high gear. In March of 2010, Misha Mansoor (aka Bulb) rolled into town with Periphery for what turned out to be an eye (and ear) opening evening. I had recognized Misha when he came on stage from some Youtube videos I had seen of him, under his moniker Bulb. Once I got home after their set I immediately went on the manhunt for more. It wouldn't take me long to find out that their debut album would be dropping on April 20th and that got me excited to say the least.

More recently I was able to get in two distinct and quality acts when I saw Animals as Leaders and Veil of Maya during their stint on the Summer Slaughter tour, whom comprise two of my currently favorite bands.

Since then I've found myself drowning in Djent, always trying to keep up on news and new releases from a truly extensive collective of music, bridging gaps all over the progressive and metal scenes. The next few months promise to bring some very high quality sounds from the Djent circuit, including album releases which are sure to vie for my personal choice for best album of the year.

So don't be surprised to see this Blaarg get drowned in Djent. I plan on doing some highlights in the future on artists and songs that have piqued my interest - and reviews of albums I'm hotly anticipating, including Irreversible by some of my favorite Swedish Djentlemen, Vildhjarta.

On that note I'll leave you with a bit of Djenty goodness:

Giving the Strain a Second Chance: Wormwood

My first encounter with The Acacia Strain was not very enjoyable. I hadn't heard too much from them before, despite the fact they've been on the scene for nearly a decade. That was over a year ago and as much as can be expected, I hadn't listened to nearly anything from their camp since.

That changed this past week when I decided to give their newest album Wormwood a chance - at the behest of one of my friends who very rarely steers me wrong. He passed me his copy of the album and I gave it a run through later that day.

As soon as the first track on the album broke open I noticed that familiar, slow and 'sludgy' tone and once again I had my doubts - for about a track or two. I had admittedly only heard a handful of their songs in the past and the live performance I witnessed left much to be desired - but Wormwood was starting to give me a reason to wipe the slate clean.

It took a few tracks for me to get into the groove (as I've surrounded myself with certain types of bands recently) but as soon as it kicked in I got a kick of old school nostalgia - and that feeling like you want to just break something, in a good way. 

The Acacia Strain employ slow but powerful rhythms along with dark and brutal lyrics that fit nearly perfectly together. After going through some of their older material you can spot some of the technical evolution and improvements they've made to their music - without taking away from their intrinsic brutal style.

Tracks like BTM FDR and The Hills Have Eyes showcase the Strain's core elements, while tracks like Jonestown and The Impaler give a better look at the bands technical style. 

I suppose this will need some type of scoring grade and since I'm playing StarCraft:  

4/5 Brutalisks. Serious business as always.

Pan Galactic Gargle Blasters: Not Made for Panicking

The first Monday of each month is regularly dedicated to being wing night. Unfortunately last week we skipped on the occasion in order to opt for some resting up for our trip to Montreal for Summer Slaughter 2010 - which was well deserved.

However tradition was back with us this week when we descended upon the James St. Pub in search of all you can eat wings and of course - drinks!

Mondays tend to be made all the more awesome when you add any of the following to the mix: Strongbow, Guinness, rum and cokes, whiskey sours, zombies and the fabled Raspberry Ballin'.

But none can contend with the almighty Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster! It's Green (or blue!) and simply: Amazing.

Bring it on Tuesday!

Monkeys Loose in a Banana Factory: TGIF

Summer is usually a more or less slow period over at the office. People take extended vacations, work comes and goes and some days can actually be quite slow.

Today was one of those slow days. It took a breakfast sandwich on pumpernickel and some quality Djent tunes to keep my focus in the early hours - and the afternoon was just as long. 

Nearly all management were either off for the day or on vacation, leaving some people as acting Mangers/Directors of the office for the end of the week. So leave it to Acting Mangers to provide you with the catalyst to what I call: some good old fashioned lulz.

The Acting Manager for my corner of the office came up to me this morning for some idle chatter and provided me with a prime opportunity that I couldn't possibly pass up.

Acting Manager: There's just so much to do today. I need more workers. 

Me: You'll need to construct additional pylons.

*silence*

Acting Manager: What?

Pylons - they're serious business.

TGIF!

You Can't Spell Slaughter Without Laughter: Music For the Win

Yesterday was officially the day that the 2010 Summer Slaughter Tour steamrolled through Montreal, so me and the boys hopped into a vehicle, pounded out some tunes on the stereo and drove well over under the speed limit as we made our way down to Club Soda to meet Vital Remains, Animals as Leaders, Carnifex, Decrepit Birth, Cephalic Carnage, Veil of Maya, The Red Chord, All Shall Perish, The Faceless and The Decapitated.

Admittedly there was one among us who is not a particular fan of Death Metal and was only there two see two bands.

While this would have usually put a damper on the day, it still provided some hilarity in between the thunder of blast beats and the thunder and rain outside in between sets. Out of the ten groups set to hit the stage, we stayed to see six but left on surely the high note of the evening, in my opinion.

The show started off on a moot point, seeing as how Vital Remains were without a vocalist and bassist thanks to our friends at customs. However it wouldn't be long before Animals as Leaders, the veritable odd group out of the Deathly lineup of groups, would hit the stage and set the bar for the rest of the evening. The Instrumental progressive metal and ridiculous guitar sweeps of Tosin Abasi (posed ever so slyly above) had the entire venue demanding more. But unfortunately they only had enough time for four tracks, though all of them gems, including: Wave of Babies, Tempting Time, On Impulse and closing with CAFO.

Following Animals as Leaders we took a trip into the hardcore rain that was slaughtering the Montreal streets and returned to catch the second half of Carnifex who provided some nice meaty breakdowns and brutal vocals. Decrepit Birth then followed providing a decent but somewhat lackluster performance of the six groups I witnessed in the evening. Cephalic Carnage then segued  into their set and garnered some well deserved laughs from the crowd whilst providing some solid, blistering grindcore goodness.

Veil of Maya were number one on the list of must see groups for me yesterday and they proved that my anticipation was well deserved. Their performance was definitely the show stealer, not only for me but many nearby that were on hand. Their blend of Death Metal, Progressive and Djent make them a stand out in almost any lineup. I'm definitely looking forward to the next chance I get to see these four guys again.