Ontario Death Fest 2017: Blastomycosis

        Halfway through Saturday night, Brutal Death starts to kick in, what now? Blastomycosis are ready to hit the stage. This is a band I had actually seen previously, taking elements from Grindcore, Death Metal and Thrash Metal to create whatever you wanna class this band as, generally I would say Brutal Death Metal, but its a little hard to classify.

        Blastomycosis I have actually seen in the past, years ago though so my memory of it is pretty vague as the night had about 7 other bands on it as well. What I do remember is about 75-100 people being there and majority of them wanting to be part of the mosh pit. Going back and checking out "Covered in Flies and Afterbirth", an album I picked up about a year ago at this point, it's clicking how wicked these guys are, as brutal as their song titled are. "Battery Acid Ballcuzzi" is the standout track on the album, being the top of the top for incorporating all the elements that makes the band stand out in to one song. The song is far thrashier than anything else on the album and is probably the main one you should be listening to, to really understand Blastomycosis.

        If you need to understand the musicianship of these guys, look no further than the more Tech Death meets Thrash song "Claw Hammer Hysterectomy" which is like a toned down/more Thrash Metal inspired version of an Origin song. You can also look for more headbang worthy, less "look how fast I can play" songs like "Rape Shark" which is just fun to say because no one expects a Rape Shark.

        Blastomycosis will be bound to blow minds on Saturday night, don't tire yourself out too quick boys and girls because the pit will keep moving tonight, so grab some drinks, stay hydrated and don't forget to tip your bartenders because Ontario Death Fest is gonna be hot and heavy!

Ontario Death Fest 2017: Vesication

Last one for Friday night, Ontario Death Fest 2017's first night will be coming to an end with headliners: Vesication and needless to say, everyone will be dead tired by the end of night one. Before we all go home and rest though, one last band to sit through and this may be the hardest band of the night.

I'll make this clear nice and early, I am not a fan of "Slam"/Brutal Death Metal. To be honest, listening to these couple of Vesication albums through wasn't the best experience for me. That being said, theres a handful of tracks, specifically off the "Prepare Uranus" album that were pretty decent to listen to. Songs like "Born With Two Dicks" which is a super groovy Death Metal track was pretty damn solid. On top of that you have "Rectal Fissures" which is a Thrashy-Death Metal piece with some crazy fun riffs and its the kind of song that'll get any crowd doing "The Toxic Waltz".

For anyone wondering my issue with "Slam" is generally the overly guttural/generic vocals and the vulgar song/album titles, not to say I have anything against a some fucks and shits. The big surprise I had with Vesication were the songs that features the higher tone of harsh vocals, not quite screams but heading in that direction, those vocals saved a lot of these songs for me personally.

I've heard a lot of Brutal Death Metal albums all things considered, I've tried to get use to the vocals but never quite managed it. Most I dont listen through the whole way and with Vesication I made it through "Prepare Uranus" a few times before switching it off and writing this so take that as you will. Given the Brutal Death Metal bands that are popular and what they sound like, Vesication might be the best in the genre for fans of the style! I highly suggest you hang around Friday night of Ontario Death Fest and check out the headliner of the night, who knows maybe they'll even convert me.

Ontario Death Fest 2017: Serene Molestation

        Two words i never thought I would be typing side by side, even while being a Metal journalist, are "serene" and molestation", but here we are today to continue out coverage of this years Ontario Death Fest with the Brutal Death Metal band, Serene Molestation. Older underground Metal fans in the Toronto area might know these guys, the last release from the band was in 2014 and anyone who may not have been paying attention (or who only follows what they see on Facebook, which for bands could be a whole rant in itself about how Facebook is stupid) may have missed that in June, Serene Molestation announced their new EP and released a new track entitled "Mongoloid Meatmarket". With the new EP on its way, and from what I can tell mostly recorded, it seems like Ontario Death Fest couldn't have come at a better time for the band, so why not take a look at what the band has to offer and what you can expect on the first night of Ontario Death Fest.

        Right of the bat, although advertised as Brutal Death Metal (which generally implies constant cookie monster gutterals) Serene Molestation take on a much more Old School Death Metal vibe, much more along the lines of Cannibal Corpse. Listening through the bands last full release, "We're Flesh Obsessed", it became very obvious, very quickly, just what the lyrics would be about, in case the name didn't give away the sexual prowess enough already. With such holiday favourites as "The Cunt of Monte Fisto" and "In Your Mom We Thrust", Serene Molestation focus on (and I kind of cant believe I'm saying this) very believable imagery. Between the literal act of "pushing someone's shit in" in "Brown Eye for the Straight Guy" to the sadistic intentions behind "Stranger in a Strange Hand" the band has a very strong level of imagery behind it's lyrics that make some of it almost believe able from a "Memoire of Charles Manson" kind of view.

        Luckily enough, the actual music isn't too bad either, the aforementioned "Brown Eye for the Straight Guy" is a Death Metal monster, following the KISS rule of "Keep It Simple, Stupid", the songs aren't overly technical and the riffs trade in jaw dropping technicality and overly difficult riffs for more headbang friendly simple and catchy ones. The new song "Mongoloid Meatmarket" is much of the same idea, meaning you can expect the band will stick close to home and stay within their comfort zone with the new EP. Luckily old fans of the band will more than likely have a chance to check out some new tunes from the band and maybe, if ready in time even get the new EP at Ontario Death Fest on October 6th at Coalition in Toronto.