With my ears still ringing from the Cryptopsy show the previous Friday, it was time yet again to make the long trek out to T.O. for the sake of metal. Having seen three shows in the past couple of weeks (all with good attendance), each of them testify to the strength the Toronto metal scene has garnered over the past couple of years. Monday is a tough night for a show, but the black metal diehards along with the simply curious were on hand to lend their support. Let the metal begin!

This time around, a different set of Canadian bands opened up the night's festivities. Up first were Endless, who were, or played, a set that seemed endless. The "chugga chugga" guitar sound is -so- played, Entombed and/or Dismember should be receiving royalty payments from these guys. And it didn't help that the drummer kept the same beat in nearly every song, rarely getting to a mid-paced speed and instead miring their music in monotonous beats. If these simply injected some speed into their music there would be potential, but it's just too slow and weak.

It's almost criminal that Endless are signed to Pavement while the infinitely better Blood of Christ are presently an independent band. Blending the best elements of death and black metal with occasional acoustic passages makes this band a true original. Elements of bands like Morbid Angel and Enslaved can be heard in some of the riffs, while the vocals are nicely diversified, touching on growls, shrieks and clean spoken passages. Playing an equally powerful set as they did opening for Macabre [see last issue], it's always a treat to see these guys play. Anyone looking to discover some great underground talent, check out their web site at: http://members.nbci.com/bloodofchrst/

I'll be the first to admit I've never been a big fan of Dark Funeral. I've always found that their brutal black metal approach pales in comparison to other Swedish acts like Marduk, Setherial or In Battle, but I was surprisingly impressed by the high quality of material played, with great sound to boot. Songs like "Shadows of Transylvania", "The Secrets of the Black Arts", "Bloodfrozen" and "Vobiscum Satanas" were performed with dark efficiency that only our lord Satan can inspire. The drumming was among the best and fastest I've ever heard from a live band; they totally crushed! The only negative point from their set would have to be the corpse paint job on guitarist Lord Ahriman. You might as well put one of those big red fuzzy balls on the end of his nose and call him a clown, and leave it at that. I've always had a fear of clowns -- I think it stems from childhood viewings of Poltergeist, and I'm sure that serial killer John Wayne Gacy had something to do with that too. Point being, there are both evil clowns and goofy looking ones. Lord Ahriman definitely finds himself in the latter. 'Nuff said.

Lessons learned:

1) In the future I will try to arrive at shows late when Endless

are on the bill.

2) If I ever need corpse paint lessons, steer clear of Lord

Ahriman for tips.

3) Scandinavian black metal must not be missed in a town near

you. You've been warned.