Alpine scalping

by JOHNSON CUMMINS

When I walked up to la Sala Rossa last Friday to try to squeeze into the Black Mountain show, I was met with the familiar barking that is usually reserved for Bell Centre shows. A slimy scalper in front of the St-Laurent venue was yelping, “Who needs tickets, who needs tickets?” Weird, but apt as this show was way sold out in advance. Being my third time seeing Black Mountain, last Friday was easily the best, with songs off of their new album In the Future translating far better to a live setting than those off their first record. The band was yet again tight-lipped between songs, but they managed to bring energy once the jams were kicked out. As good as “Bright Lights” and others were, crowd favourites definitely stemmed from their debut, with “No Satisfaction,” “Don’t Run Our Hearts Around” and “Drugunaut” garnering the best responses. 2008 seems to be Black Mountain’s year, and if shows like this are any indication, their superstardom is imminent.

Seeing as we are in review mode, I should hip you to the new split CD release from two of Montreal’s heavy hitters, Mankillsman and Hands of Death, on new local metal label Klika. Hands of Death have had a constantly changing line-up, with only one founding member left, but with a twin vocal attack, they just kill it on the four tracks here. They know how to grind it up, complete with Cookie Monster death grunts, and although the production emasculates the blast beats somewhat, Hands of Death prove to be masters of brutality on this all too brief release. Mankillsman’s onslaught is the clear winner though, with a sound that recalls the crustier years of Neurosis mixed with Mastodon’s prog inflections, and stop-on-a-dime tempo changes that are mindboggling. Although Mankillsman keep things interesting with ambience and clever arrangements, they still manage to hit like a nailgun. Keep your eyes peeled for these guys.

Some great shows this week, including a world-music line-up on Friday night at la Sala Rossa. Normally, the term “world music” fills me with intense trepidation, but there won’t be only Peruvian-hat-wearing hippies on hand when the Cambodian psych-pop of Dengue Fever blows minds, with Jerusalem in My Heart—featuring ex-Cursed and Ire guitarist Radwan Moumneh—and openers Le soleil sortant de sa bouche. Also happening on Friday night, at Zoobizarre, is the return of the Nymphets, who release a seven-inch along with the American Devices, or rather the Devices playing the tunes of their predecessors the Electric Vomit, also seeing a seven-inch EP release. As a special treat, original singer Rabid Roy Random will be making the trip from New Mexico to sneer through the set like it was 1979 all over again. Co-promoters the Pirates of the Lachine Canal will also be on hand to spin the wax in between bands.

Finally, on Saturday night at Club Lambi, don’t miss Montreal’s favourite dark horse Starvin Hungry when they share the stage with Toronto’s No No Zero, who release their debut Rough Stuff tonight. Openers are the criminally underrated O-Voids and No No Zero offshoot duo Catl.

LET’S SMOKE SOME KILL AND GET OUT OF THIS PLACE…JONATHAN.CUMMINS@GMAIL.COM