Thrashin’ with compassion

by JOHNSON CUMMINS

On the outside, your average metalhead radiates misanthropic darkness, but every now and again, through the glowering gloom, you can see they have a soft spot. Local promoters Mosh Core Productions—the trio of founder Angelo Russo, vice president Joey Sciacchitano and Cederic Estevao—prove that big hearts do indeed lurk beneath their skull-laden black t-shirts. They’re promoting their fifth annual show featuring some of the best in Montreal’s metal underground, Mosh Core 2007, with all proceeds going to the Canadian Cancer Society.

“We started in 2001, when the original founder in Mosh Core Productions, Angelo Russo, lost a close relative to cancer and wanted to do something to help make a change for the better,” explains Sciacchitano. “He was a musician, so it was only natural that he would want to do something personal, like put on a show.”

Mosh Core begin their drive for each annual benefit mere weeks after the previous show has wrapped up—just as right now, with Mosh Core 2007 just about on top of them, they’re also planning for AMPT 2007, their upcoming alterna-rock fest. Their planning includes non-stop promotion, regular Web site updates, canvassing sponsors for the event and of course picking the cream of the crop from Montreal’s metal underground. After being hit up by numerous applicants through their Web site, the folks at Mosh Core whittled it down to nine bands this year, for a Mosh Core 2007 bill featuring Shock Therapy, Prometheus, Synastry, Forme, ForSigma, the Tempest, Derelict, 3 Mile Scream and Mythosis (who launch their new album at the show).

“I think a lot of people don’t realize the amount of work it takes to organize an event like this. We had done two consecutive nights with 18 bands in the past, but that was just too exhausting, mentally and physically, so now we just try to put more focus in and make the best event we possibly can.”

“We’ve managed to raise a fair amount of money for the Canadian Cancer Society, and that makes you feel like the hard work really pays off. The event keeps growing and raising more money with every year, so for a little company like us, that really makes us proud of what we do.”