True blood

by JOHNSON CUMMINS

Without a doubt, thrash metal celebrated a resurgence of sorts last year, one that suckled on the teat of the first wave. The true touchstones from that period that instantly spring to mind would be Metallica’s Kill ’Em All and Ride the Lightning, Slayer’s Reign in Blood and Show No Mercy, Celtic Frost’s Morbid Tales, Voivod’s Killing Technology and Exodus’s Bonded By Blood. Although the Bay Area’s Exodus were at ground zero in those speedy salad days, they quickly fell by the wayside when they were unable to deliver on the promise of their 1985 debut. Released this week is their DVD/CD Shovel Headed Tour Machine: Live at Wacken and Other Assorted Atrocities (Nuclear Blast) and despite numerous line-up changes, hiatuses, substance abuse issues, label woes etc, the band apparently hasn’t lost its need for speed, judging by this footage of a 2008 German date. Despite Exodus hosting only two original members in its current fold, it’s singer Rob Dukes’ howl that has really added new spark to early thrashers like Bonded by Blood’s title track, “A Lesson in Violence,” “Piranha” and “Strike of the Beast.” If you’re looking to dig a little deeper into the early days of sleeveless t-shirts, white trainers and bullet belts, this DVD would be a great place to start. Better yet, check out these legends live when they come to town as the support act for Arch Enemy, with guests Arsis and Mutiny Within, Monday, Jan. 25 at Club Soda.

Tonight, Jan. 21, would be a good night to start the Punkusraucousrex week off at the Barfly, with Barrier, Dig It Up, Prevenge and Laureate, while down at l’Escogriffe tonight, you can check out the true-blue rockabilly of Filly & the Flops with guests Iz & the Two Tone Rockers.

Kicking off the weekend on Friday are my new favourite power-poppers, Sonic Avenues, with Speed Massacre at Café Chaos. Do yourself a favour and pick up S.A.’s new self-titled release while you’re there—it’s the greatest Real Kids/Flamin’ Groovies rekkid you’ve never heard. At Sala Rossa on Friday, you’re invited to dig deep into your pockets with Amy Millan, Bud Rice, the Hoof and the Heel, Beaugart and Yonder Hill as they croon for the Eleven Eleven Animal Rescue.

On the same tip is a benefit for new DIY venue Death Church on Saturday night with the jam-packed bill of Inepsy (!), Complications, Omegas, Ilegal, Sakhalin and Slobs at Death Church (duh). Plan to get there early as this has a 7 p.m. start time. Also happening on Saturday night are alterna-legends Dinosaur Jr. making good after their cancellation of their Pop Montreal date, with a solo set from Dino’s Lou Barlow at Club Soda. Bring earplugs!

Finally, on Sunday, the real hidden jewel of the week could prove to be Australian cult band the Necks at Sala Rossa with Steve Bates. Even with over 15 releases under their belts, the true feather in these Aussies’ cap remains their live performance. This trio of multi-instrumentalists’ signature is taking minimalist free improv and cascading melody lines and slowly building them up into rapid repetitions. At their free compositional peak, sub-harmonics are finally revealed and set free to crash and collide against each other, resulting in a trance-like state that is far larger than the sum of its parts. Perfect for the inner jazzbo who hates jazz.

I’M METAL THRASHING MAD…
JONATHAN.CUMMINS@GMAIL.COM