ShowListing.RttP{11/26 in Montreal - Absu, Inquisition, Infernal Stronghold, Forteresse, Monarque}

I was hoping to write a touching 1,000 word piece on the joys, splendors, spoils and trappings of all that is Montreal, but instead I'll just leave a few notes about the fest.

Day 1

Putamen Insula - kinda cool. the singer smashed his head in with a beer bottle before they played, had nice tributary of blood and a Monts du Egg on his head.

Blackscorn - not bad. only caught the last 2 songs.

Chasse-Galerie - excellent set! very tight band, feat great bass work by Matrak (Forteresse). This band really kicked the fest into full gear.

Infernal Stronghold - ripping set. I think it was there first time in Montreal? swelling mosh pit consumed katakombs. all heads banged, fists clenched with might.

Forteresse - TABRANACK. I got to the club early that day and was immediately informed that Forteresse couldn't play cause antifa blacklisted them. apparently there was going to be a riot, since several red skins were going to be there at the club. so the whole night everyone in the club is fucking livid that they can't play. once there spot came they were played on the PA everyone started chanting their name for 10 minutes straight et voila!!! they got to play! took awhile! But they got at it and fucking killed. raging crowd was in full allegiance to this mighty group.

Glorior Belli - missed everything that happened. found myself going through Forteresse withdrawals and fallout from the battle. Ended up talking passionately with the Danes from Angantyr about health care, lego land and american history.

Inquisition - the power, charisma, composure and mastery of Inquisition is unmatched. an all together hypnotic set that lured me onto the satin sheets of metal dreamdome. nobody does it like Inquisition.

Day 2

Issfenn - totally missed. caved and went a le belle province pour un hot dog michigan.

Wendess - you know, these guys really weren't that bad. lotta potential outside of the genius bass player.

Saccage - fucking awesome lil curve ball. crusty d beat blackness. fucking angry band, i love it! i would love to see these fuckers down here for a few shows, i think they'd do very well.

Csejthe - crisse, fucking terrific set. they fogged the whole fucking club til the alarms went off, lit some candles and got morbid. most of the quebecois bands in general have a certain special anger to them, yet these fellas have a more timeless francais approach of ancient sorrow.

Monarque - FUCKING KILLED. scathing, bitter declaration of absolute hatred. dynamic but a clear sense of purpose and possession. one of the best crowds and sets of the weekend, without a doubt.

Angantyr - never heard these lads until this fest, and shit guy, they were a real treat! could have been the band of the night! excellent performance, buncha fucking animals, maniacal headbanging! what's a good album to start with?

Absu - pretty much the same set from Revere?? a true spectator highlight was hearing an exceptional Proscriptor falsetto turn into an ecstatic "YEEEEEEEEE HAAAAWW" fucking gold. several absu chants and a progression of pound beer bottles on the stage yielded a rousing encore with never blow out the eastern candle.

BUT YEAH. If you still havn't seen a show in Quebec fucking get on that shit. Most of you sit around and bitch about how you wish you could pull the money together to go to europe. stop it. You live within 6 to 8 hours of the best scene in north america, a scene that gives germany and sweden a run for their money. It's a special place, where women know how to sew elaborate customizations of elite t shirts and will insult you if you don't know the demo. Big booted women stand in the pit and throw men to the ground. Speed freaks pass you joints while you watch fellow metalheads vomit on the sidewalk. The beer is cheaper and better than any massconcerts hogwash. Headbangers always have the right of way in Quebec, it's the law.