Photo: Navneet Johal for metalmasterkingdom.com (C)2018 Next up, a three-piece band hailing from Toronto: My Frost. Bringing a twelve-string bass to the stage, microphones shrouded with black scarfs, and a you-can’t-miss-it red Ibanez guitar strung by the vocalist, they made gothic doom metal proud. The twelve-string bass covered enough frequencies so that the three-piece felt like a five piece, and their songs were composed with a balance of technical knowledge and emotional drive. Well-rehearsed and tight, the band commanded the stage with professionalism and controlled energy – the kind you’d see from an established, constantly touring band. Photo: Navneet Johal for metalmasterkingdom.com (C)2018 The fourth act of the night, Black Eve, were founded in 2010 in Toronto – and have only grown ever since. Having seem them live before, I was excited to see what their performance would be like with the pressure of competition – and it did not shake them. In their staple warrior outfits, the lead singer carried a large shield whilst urging the crowd to come forward for their show at the start. Their melodic death metal style truly makes their sound “unmistakable” as they’ve claimed it to be. All in all, this band never fails to render a solid, unique performance. Photo: Navneet Johal for metalmasterkingdom.com (C)2018 | Writer: Amina Abdelwahab Photographer: Navneet Johal (C)2018 All rights reserved www.metalmasterkingdom.com @ Rivoli Toronto, ON Canada February 23, 2018 Guest judges: Wojtek Sokolowski (Operus, Wacken Metal Battle Canada) Tal Vaisman (Producer, Ex-HAMMERCULT) Ryan Hofing (Crimson Shadows) For round three of the Wacken Metal Battle in Toronto, an urban, hipster bar was transformed into a metal extravaganza. The Rivoli sung loud and dark into the night, collecting metalheads for the incredible line-up for the night: The Blackcloud Syndicate, My Frost, Astaroth Incarnate, Black Eve and Maitreya. Having heard most of those band names before, I was excited to see them come to life. At 9:30, the battles began. First up, The Blackcloud Syndicate. They came to the stage with determination, shelling out a mean red bass guitar, raging vocals, and fast riffs. Out of Toronto, Ontario, The Blackcloud Syndicate find influence in “Metal/ Hardcore/ Punk/ Hip Hop and anything else your parents don't want you listening to.” Having a band with a sense of humor, an undying energy and years of individual experience made for a solid performance and made them sure contenders for the next band. Photo: Navneet Johal for metalmasterkingdom.com (C)2018 Third in line were Astaroth Incarnate from Toronto, Ontario. A band of not only musicians, but performers, they stole the night. Their red and black themed staging, along with leather, spikes, bullet belts, and a lead singer covered in face-paint fed their extreme metal musical stylings. They opened the first pit of the night, and kept it going from start to finish. They played like headliners to their own show, rather than a band in a battle line-up – and it was that confidence and drive that made them the band of the night for me. Photo: Navneet Johal for metalmasterkingdom.com (C)2018 Last up, a progressive metal band from Whitby, Ontario: Maitreya. When they first took the stage, I assumed they’d be a deathcore band – just from their style and age – but I was proven wrong. Their musical abilities were astounding, and I believe they could have been each individually the most technically capable with their instruments of those performing that night. However, that affected their songwriting, in the sense that every song seemed overloaded with sound. Also, the nerves of being the last to perform at their young age could have affected their performance. I’d say they were my favorite of the night, because they spoke to me most style-wise, and I hope to see them work and continue to grow. When the lights went out and the stage cleared, the winner was announced. I anticipated that the third act, Astaroth Incarnate*, would take the gold – and they did. Such was the close of the three Toronto Wacken Metal Battle rounds. Now, we await the Ontario finals at the Hard Luck Bar on March 24th, 2018. Horns up till then! |
THE BLACKCLOUD SYNDICATE Danny Zisis-Guitar Glenn Novak-Drums Blair Snider-Guitar Miko Zolefrapanidis-Vocals Graham Scott Anthony-Bass | Astaroth Incarnate Astaroth (Sam) - Vocals/Lyrics Pablo Sagastume - Guitars Ric Galvez - Guitars Sergio Moyano - Bass Emile Giordan - Drums |
Black Eve Corey Seguin - Vocals Mario Syposz - Lead and rhythm Guitars Charles Mattias Wolf - Bass guitars Reuben Pereira - Lead and rhythm Guitars Deborah Lawrence - Drums | Maitreya Matt Cutrara - Vocals Steve McMillan - Drums Matt McCabe - Guitar Lyam Morrison - Bass Mark Wylie - Guitar Metal Master Kingdom thanks W.M.B.C. for creating a national platform for Canada's incredibly talented metal bands. We are grateful to have been a media sponsor since the beginning back in 2013!! |