Written by Alex Stojanovic

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IRON MAIDEN w/ THE RAVEN AGE
@ Budweiser Stage
Toronto, ON, Canada
August 9, 2019


Presented by Live Nation

Written by Alex Stojanovic
Photographed by Rob Singh


(C) 2019 All rights reserved by www.metalmasterkingdom.com


IRON REAGAN, SACRED REICH, EXCITER and ENFORCED
@ Lee's Palace
Toronto, ON, Canada
May 17, 2019


Presented by Inertia Entertainment

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Click here for our interview with Phil Rind of Sacred Reich

Here in Toronto, the middle of May saw a couple of unexpected cold fronts make their way through the city, but thankfully those were the last of them for this year, and now the more appropriate weather for this time of the year is finally here.  We've had enough of the cold.

That being said, on May 17th, which was a rather warm Friday night, the co-headline tour between Iron Reagan and Sacred Reich rolled through town to play Lee's Palace.  Also featured on this bill were Canadian speed metal originators Exciter and Richmond, Virginia thrash newcomers Enforced, making for one amazing night of thrash.

Written by Alex Stojanovic
Photographed by Anna Sklavos


(C) 2019 All rights reserved by www.metalmasterkingdom.com


HALESTORM w/ PALAYE ROYALE and BEASTO BLANCO
@ Danforth Music Hall
Toronto, ON, Canada
May 13, 2019


Presented by MRG Concerts


Click here for our interview with Lzzy Hale

Written by Alex Mrkonjic

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(C) 2019 All rights reserved by www.metalmasterkingdom.com


DREAM THEATER
@ Sony Centre For The Performing Arts
Toronto, ON, Canada
April 4, 2019


Presented by Live Nation

​Upon announcing the release of their new studio album Distance Over Time, the boys in the Dream Theater camp also announced the tour in support of the album, and it included a stop in Toronto at the Sony Centre For The Performing Arts on April 4th.  This tour, just like the others, was An Evening With… tour, meaning no opening acts, but just 2 hours of Dream Theater!  To add to the excitement, they also announced that they were going to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their 1999 masterpiece Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes From A Memory by playing the album in its entirety.  This album has often been called one of the greatest concept albums ever written by a progressive band (according to Rolling Stone Magazine).

Written and photographed by Navneet Johal

(C) 2019 All rights reserved by www.metalmasterkingdom.com

CRADLE OF FILTH w/ RAVEN BLACK
@ Opera House
Toronto, ON, Canada
March 27, 2019

Presented by Live Nation

Written and photographed by Rob Botten


(C) 2019 All rights reserved by www.metalmasterkingdom.com


YOB, VOIVOD and AMENRA
@ Phoenix Concert Theatre
Toronto, ON, Canada
March 30, 2019

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Presented by Inertia Entertainment

On Saturday, March 30th, Yob and Voivod co-headlined a very diverse show with Amenra serving as special guests at the Phoenix Concert Theatre in Toronto.  The venue had one of the more diverse crowds I have seen in a while.  There was a clear mixture of people attending just for the show itself, for Amenra and Yob, and many just for Voivod.  This night may have been the first time I’ve seen a crowd fill up for the middle set, only to drop significantly lower in numbers before the headlining act’s set was even ready.  Crowd aside, the mixture of diverse sounds between the three acts made for a night that never got boring, especially with all the faces and jokes Voivod put on throughout their entire set.

Written and photographed by Alex Stojanovic


(C) 2019 All rights reserved by www.metalmasterkingdom.com


MARK MORTON w/ LIGHT THE TORCH and MOON TOOTH
@ Lee's Palace
Toronto, ON, Canada
March 15, 2019

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Presented by Inertia Entertainment

​The first three bands, Summoner’s Circle, Wolfheart, and Swallow The Sun were great openers for Children Of Bodom.  They were a perfect combination of doom, progressive, and black metal.  Summoner’s Circle captivated the audience with their theatrical metal, and even had those coming in stop and listen before heading to the bar.  Wolfheart’s Tuomas Saukkonen engaged with the audience as he commented that Toronto is known for having weak circle pits, however they were exceeding his expectations.  Their setlist was full of songs that were fast and energetic, and they really elevated the atmosphere of the room. The last band before Children Of Bodom: Swallow The Sun, had more of a calming effect.  The songs were slower and melodic, almost reminiscent of HIM, and they used red and orange lighting to set the mood.

Written by Ananda Pratt
Photography by Rob Botten

(C) 2019 All rights reserved by www.metalmasterkingdom.com

@ Phoenix Concert Theatre
Toronto, ON, Canada
March 16, 2019

Presented by Inertia Entertainment

​On Saturday March 16th, Children Of Bodom played the Phoenix Concert Theatre located in Toronto. They were joined by Summoner’s Circle, Wolfheart, and Swallow The Sun.  Although not sold out, the room was completely packed with die-hard Children Of Bodom fans, all of which were wearing COB merch.  That’s one of the many things I love about metal fans – they wear the merchandise of their favourite bands everywhere, especially at the bands’ show.  This is generally a faux pas for shows I normally attend, so it’s a nice change.

As soon as Swallow The Sun finished their set, the crowd’s energy heightened and continued to grow.  The set change was relatively quick, especially considering how intense the drums were, and Children Of Bodom soon took the stage.  They started the set with ‘Are You Dead Yet?’ and the entire room erupted in energy.  I was a bit upset that they didn’t play "Needled 24/7", as this was my first time seeing them and was hoping to finally catch it live; however, they did play "Angels Don’t Kill" which is my second favourite Children Of Bodom song.  The crowd, and band, kept the same energy for the entire duration of their set. 

Everyone around me was wholeheartedly engaged, and it was noticed by Alexi Laiho, who continuously kept thanking the crowd for their energy and dedication.  Although the show wasn’t sold out, it seemed as if it was above capacity through the duration of Children Of Bodom’s set.

​Overall, it was a great night with a combination of various forms of metal that worked cohesively to keep all attendees engaged and entertained.  The bands complimented each other, and the event was extremely enjoyable.  The tour continues until April 19th.

​SUMMONER’S CIRCLE

Blind - Vocals and Incantations 
Gog - Lead Guitar 
Absalon - Rhythm Guitar
Y'takt - Bass Guitar
Hex - Keys, Organ and Scary Sounds 
Frix2 - Drums

Label:  Pavement Entertainment
Website:  www.summonerscircle.com

SWALLOW THE SUN

Mikko Kotamäki - Vocals
Juha Raivio - Guitars
Juho Räihä - Guitars
Jaani Peuhu - Keyboards, Vocals
Matti Honkonen - Bass
Juuso Raatikainen – Drums

Label:  Century Media Records
Website:  www.swallowthesun.net

​WOLFHEART

Tuomas Saukkonen - Guitar, Vocals
Mika Lammassaari - Lead guitar
Joonas Kauppinen - Drums
Lauri Silvonen - Bass, backing vocals

Label:  Napalm Records
Website:  www.wolfheartofficial.com
www.facebook.com/WolfheartRealm

CHILDREN OF BODOM

Alexi Laiho - Lead vocals & lead guitars
Jaska Raatikainen - Drums
Henkka Blacksmith - Bass & backing vocals
Janne Wirman – Keyboards & backing vocals
Daniel Freyberg - Rhythm guitars & backing vocals

Label:  Nuclear Blast Records
Website:  www.cobhc.com

Written by Alex Stojanovic
Photographed by Anna Sklavos

(C) 2019 All rights reserved by www.metalmasterkingdom.com

WITHIN TEMPTATION w/ IN FLAMES and SMASH INTO PIECES
@ Rebel
Toronto, ON, Canada
​March 6, 2019

Presented by Live Nation

Written by Alex Stojanovic
Photographed by Rob Singh

(C) 2019 All rights reserved by www.metalmasterkingdom.com

LEE AARON w/ HEAVENS FIRE,
BARSTOOL CONFESSION and JADED EDGE
@ Rockpile
Toronto, ON, Canada
February 15, 2019

Interview with Lee Aaron here

​I think everybody can agree on the fact that the weekends are always the best time of the week to go see a show, especially at a club.  With that said, on a very cold Friday night on February 15th, Toronto was in for a real treat when Canada's rock queen Lee Aaron returned to the Rockpile to play a show.  The show was sold out, and drew in fans of all ages, from the fans that were there from the beginning of Lee's career, to the ones that came in at the halfway point, and a bunch of younger people who came in during the last few years.  We also had a great interview with Lee earlier in the evening.  In the meantime, let's get into the night's festivities.