M A L A B O L G I A

      Necronomicon is not known for doing an abundance of interviews so I was pretty thrilled with the chance to chat with Rob, better known as The Witch. What followed was a rare look at his initiation to heavy metal as well as the formation and evolution of one of the most recognizable brands in the genre and the rumours that inspired the stage name. Most surprising were the influences on their sound, but after replaying Advent Of The Human God, there is no doubt as to what inspires Necronomicon's orchestration.                 Dink Kickin: I've read your lyrics. You're a witch! Rob T: It was The Witch King originally, but it was too Tolkein-ish. I think it was a little bit arrogant.         The funny part is that I didn't give myself that name. My manager at the time was bugging me to         get a stage name. When I was in Montreal, back in the days, some people were freak...

    At long last Obsidian's Jason Campbell has agreed to chat! Distracting the public with an abundance of live shows, they've secretly been working on a new album. Giggling like teenagers we talk about the band's multinational origins, Jason's start in music and inability to walk away from the back end of things, as well as the distant future playing the casino circuit. DK: How long have you been with Obsidian? JC: Four years this September. We got our first lead guitar player shortly after we formed. It would have been       less than a year after that when he left to go back to school. Daniel came into the band and we haven't       looked back since. He's been in the band for about three years. The "original guitarist" didn't play on any       of the records. He didn't write any of the music so he sort of existed, but he didn't. DK: (laughs) He was a dream. JC: (laughs) Yeah, he was more of a vapour. (laughs) DK:...

    At long last this is finally going to see the light of day! In February I tracked down Dan Von Thrash and we had a chat about the birth and developement of Arctos while it was a somewhat top-secret project lurking in the shadows. Since we chatted Arctos has taken the stage and released their album: A Spire Silent. Catch up with them on their Facebook page for updates, or get a copy of their album through Bandcamp . Dan: Hello there. A Spire Silent DK: Hey! How's it going? Dan: Not to bad. This is Imo---? DK: Yeah, close enough. Dan: Ah, ok. I figured I wasn't gonna get that one on the first go. DK: No one ever does. It's all good. Dan: That is your real name? DK: Yep. That gibberish that appears on my social media is, in fact, my real name. My parents were alcoholics.  Dan: That's fantastic! Even the weird part? DK: Yep! So, Arctos, how is that pronounced? Dan: Pretty much as you said it. I believe it's Latin so we're not ...

    The Rickshaw theater is magical. Located in a shitty, piss-soaked part of Vancouver it is home to some of the best heavy metal to float through BC. Formerly a Shaw Brothers movie theater it still has the cool layout and great acoustics that give live sound the shape it needs to thrive. Welcome to the Rickshaw.     When I went to see Asphyx recently I didn't know what to expect. The original bill included Skeletal Remains but with a bumpy tour schedule which included multiple border crossings it came as no surprise that they were denied entrance back into Canada. Disappointment! Regardless, ticket sales were largely driven by Asphyx as it was their first time in Canada. The other acts were AHNA, Graveolence, and Konform.     Having never heard of the opening act, Konform, I didn't know what to expect. It seemed like more fun to not look them up and be influenced by what others had to say. Listed as being crust punk surely they would be fun. Cert...