Metal is a four-letter word

Ottawa grindcore heavyweights Fuck The Facts have a new, self-released album out, Desire Will Rot, and have been touring all over in support (they just wrapped up a quick trip through the east and Quebec Monday night). Also on hand, Quebec's Fistfuck (I'm guessing there wasn't a lot of TV and radio promo for this show) and Ottawa's Cruel Fate, who started things off with some Entombed-style sounds. Other than that, I can't say I know much about the band ....



Growly action!



Guitar action!



Cruel action!



Their drummer seemed like a cheerful fellow.



More rhythm section action!



On to Fistfuck. The Quebec City grinders have seen members come and go (all at once, on one occasion), but have settled down lately. Here's some percussive action from drummer Marcel.



SteveJonk runs about!



Guitar action from Dero (I think)!



Fuzzy bass action with Seb (not Crocko, as an original version of the post stated)!



Extra Marcel!



More Seb and Steve!



Extra Seb!



Fuck The Facts ended the night with a crushing set. Here's bassist Marc singing some (and interviewee supreme Vil on drums).



Mel sings!



Singalong action!



Extra Vil!



Topon frets!



Moshing action!



Extra Topon!



Mo' Mel!



It was loud.

Metal menu

It's been a metal week so far, starting with a voyage Thursday to the House of Targ to check out Merdarahta (featuring various Fuck The Fact folks, among others), tow-piece Auto-Racing and Black Oak Decline.

Auto-Racing was up first. It's been a while since I saw them live, at a Zaphod's Monday Showcase gig back in July 2008. Here's Cosmo!



Percussive action with Aaron Clark!



Cosmo sings! His voice still reminds me quite a bit of Masters of Reality frontman Chris Goss.



More Aaron!



Tapping action!



Instrumental action!



The shouty bit!



Even more Aaron!



This was my first time seeing Merdarahta. In addition to FTF couple Topon Das and Mel Mongeon, you've got Seb Choquette (Mekhaya, Biipiigwan) on guitar and Leigh Newton (Street Meat, World War 4) on drums. They're taking a more experimental, ambient direction than most of the members' other projects. This was an album release show for their first offering, As The Dark Clouds Swept Away We Could See The Sunset (available on Bandcamp, natch). Here's Seb ....



Leigh sings!



Shouty Mel!



Topon takes a spin on six-string bass.



Headbanging action!



Ambient action!



Extra Leigh!



Black Oak Decline finished off the night with a ripping set.



Neil's had a haircut since I saw them at the Daily Grind.



Tony hits!



The shouty bit!



Rhythm section action!



The whole lot!



Guitar action!



Extra Tony!



A nicely varied evening.

At the crossroads

The technical reason for the evening of metal madness at Zaphod Beeblebrox was the release of Makhaya's new CD EP ... of course the tricky bit is getting your drum lit on stage. I was wondering if it would all fit on the riser.



On your left, guitarist Seb Choquette.



Singer Kevin Conway rocks the tatts.



Scott Peters is the other guitarist.



Bassist Phil Lefevbre ... oh yes I can!



Somewhere behind that tremendous kit is Adrian Taylor-Chasse; he also handles the electronics.



Here be wheedling.



Rhythm section action!



I don't shoot til I can see the whites of their eyes.



The shouty bit!



More Kevin!



The view from down in front.



Extra tongue action!



Assorted rocking.



Big finish!



The band is back at Zaphod's March 26.

• Show reminder: The Recipe, The Foreign and "DaneJahRas with Soulfistikato" are at Zaphod's; Sherri Williams performs at the Rainbow; the Elmdale House hosts David Combden and Kris Millett’s CD release alongside Rebekah O’Brien