A piece from the Winnipeg Sun… Killswitch Engage By Rob Williams Monday, 8 p.m., West End Cultural Centre There was a time when heavy metal bands were all about leather, spikes and Satan. Not anymore. Oh sure, there are still plenty of groups thrashing out and singing about warlocks, Greek mythology and demons, but these days there’s a new breed of beast on the scene: emo-metal bands like Killswitch Engage. “I feel a lot of bands don’t know if they’re happy, sad or what — they just go out and put on the metal face,” says KE bassist Mike D’Antonio. “We don’t go out and pretend to be pissed off or mad — we smile on stage and have fun. “Our lyrics are swayed towards the positive side, and lots of metal bands are like, ‘I hate my life, I hate myself,’ and put on the airs. We’re breaking that mode. I take pride in that.” The Massachusetts quintet never considered themselves an emo band until they were given the tag in reviews in the New York Times and Rolling Stone. Instead of distancing themselves from it, as many punk bands do, they went with it. “It’s kind of cool because we’ve never thought of ourselves at all like that,” D’Antonio, 31, says. Their new album, The End of Heartache, is a roller-coaster ride of personal stories written by vocalist Howard Jones and touching on issues of relationships, dead friends and the struggle for self-improvement. The band’s sound and lyrics have touched a nerve with metal-buying youth. Since the album was released in May, it has sold more than 100,000 copies, and the band have been selling out shows wherever they play. Their profile will get an even bigger push in the next couple of weeks, when the title track of their new album is released as the first single from the movie Resident Evil: Apocalypse. “It’s been really crazy. I’m expecting to wake up from this dream any minute. I’m a kid used to playing CFW halls and basement shows and the whole hardcore thing, so I want to say to my parents, ‘See! look!’ ” D’Antonio laughs.

“REAL METAL IS BACK!” exclaims the first line of HitThePit’s review of 3 Inches Of Blood’s debut, Advance And Vanquish. Yes, the first review on this title is in, and it goes exactly like this: REAL METAL IS BACK! As you get older you find that everything that was once good, always comes back again. Thus is the case with 3 Inches Of Blood’s sound. With Iron Maiden, Dream Theatre, Judas Priest, and Queensryche stepping into the twilight of their careers, it is only fitting that 3 Inches Of Blood would step into the spotlight and make the metal circle complete! Technical, thrashy, slaying, evil, war obsessed, these are all words to describe the band. And let me tell you about Cam Pipes! (yep…it is his real name) CAM PIPES? Are you kidding? Is that not a rock star name or what? It almost a better name then Rob Halford and Bruce Dickinson! And vocally, he hits high notes that makes you wonder if he has wild berries for nuts. Not to mention that the best part of Mr. Pipes is not in fact his pipes, but his mind. Try some of these classic lyrics on for size: “Flash of iron, leather, spikes and swords. Mighty warriors with metal on their side. Enemies of metal, death is our reward!” – Deadly Sinners “Deceivers flesh ripped off his wretched bones. REVENGE! Revenge is a vulture, his head placed on a pike for all to see. A lesson learned for all of the usurpers to the throne!” – Revenge Is A Vulture “Flaming arrows from the sky, the massacre begins. Order turns to chaos, no hope to win! The tyrant is here to take up your throne, he’ll take your head before taking your crown.” HA! Fucking awesome! Old school metal right there kiddies! Blazing guitar solos, lighting fast licks, musically 3IOB is a fret board extravaganza. Meanwhile Cam is a sick fuck that can sing with the legends! If you like the before mentioned bands, then this is a record you must have. I would also be remiss if I did not mention Neil Kernon and Colin Richardson, who constructed the perfect sound for these retro lunatics! Pit Scale: 10, when Iron Maiden, and Judas Priest retire….they can do so at peace knowing that these Vancouver youngins will hold up their established metal ideals. Also, I hope they keep the warrior (that holds the 3 Axe) from the cover for future efforts…… utilize him the way Megadeth does with Vic, and Iron Maiden does with Eddie! My request to the band…..call your axe wielding warrior Maximillion…or Max for short! Keep the metal traditions alive! Suggested Tracks: All of them! Dungeons & Dragons nerds right on through to hardcore junkies will respect this effort! Instant Classic! Track Listing: 01) Fear On The Bridge (Upon The Boiling Sea I) 02) Deadly Sinners 03) Revenge Is A Vulture 04) Dominion Of Deceit 05) Premonition Of Pain 06) Lord Of The Storm (Upon The Boiling Sea II) 07) Wykydtron 08) Swordmaster 09) Axes Of Evil 10) Crazy Nights 11) Destroy The Orcs 12) The Phantom Of The Crimson Cloak 13) Isle Of Eternal Despair (Upon The Boiling Sea III)

Currently Killswitch Engage is on the road in the US with From Autumn To Ashes, Eighteen Visions, and 36 Crazyfists. If you catch a show you’ll see it, and if you were ever wondering know you’ll know it – Justin Foley’s gear. Justin’s kit is as follows: Drums – Yamaha Custom Absolute in sea blue finish a. 5 1/2 x 14 snare (maple) b. 9 x 10 tom (birch) c. 11 x 13 tom (birch) d. 16 x 20 bass drum (maple) Cymbals – Zildjian 1. 13″ K/Z hi-hats 2. 10″ A splash 3. 17″ A Custom crash 4. 20″ K Custom crash 5. 19″ A Custom crash 6. 17″ K Custom Dark China 7. 16″ A Custom Projection crash Justin’s influences? John Bonham was first, Neil Peart was second, and Dave Lombardo was third. “Then I really got into a guy named Sean Reinert from the bands Cynic and Death,” tells Justin in a recent interview…and those last couple of bands mentioned should ring a bell.

Be sure to listen in to the Radio 1 Rock Show from 12-2am next Tuesday, Sept 7th, for a special takeover! Cradle Of Filth vocalist Dani Filth will be co-presenting the show, with Melissa Auf Der Maur. You can send them a message or a question HERE.

Three cheers for 36 Crazyfists, whose new video for ‘Bloodwork’ has just been playlisted by MTV2! You can tune in and check it out from Friday, plus you can spot them in the Txt, Drugs, & Rock N Roll zone on Friday from 3-5, & 6-9pm!

Camden, New Jersey – OZZFEST 2004, circa August 26th (i.e. last week). A bit of a human interest piece for you on this fine summer day. Press release from YJ Stinger Extreme Energy Drink as follows: Camden, New Jersey- OZZFEST 2004, presented by YJ Stinger Extreme Energy Drink, rocked the Tweeter Center Thursday, August 26th! At this show, many of the bands recorded a video message of support to First Lt. Alfred Concha of the 25th Infantry and his troops who are now stationed in Iraq. First Lt. Concha’s girlfriend, Vincenia Annvzzi from Andover Township New Jersey, met him while he was on leave and began a wonderful relationship. They correspond regularly to and from Iraq by email and occasionally by phone. Alfred and the troops are big fans of the bands on Ozzfest (Slipknot, Lamb of God, Hatebreed and Otep among others). With that in mind, YJ Stinger (Ozzfest’s presenting sponsor based in Ms. Annvzzi’s hometown) arranged to send these bands’ greetings to the troops. Ozzfest is the first concert Vincenia has ever attended. Once there, she was able to meet with the bands, get photos, autographs and record video messages to Lt. Concha and the troops, which will be made into DVDs and sent out to them in Iraq. Last month in South Jersey, YJ Stinger Spokesman Joseph R Gannascoli (Vito from HBO’s Hit series “The Sopranos”) recorded a similar video message to First Lt. Alfred Concha and his men while at an appearance at Club Stingers in Long Branch, NJ. for a couple pics from the day, check out the Slipknot photo gallery…and see our TOUR section for all upcoming Slipknot dates.

Please make note: Monday, the Resident Evil: Apocalypse soundtrack was released. (polite applause) Do make sure to check it out, and to check out the movie once it is released in October. The soundtrack features music from five Roadrunner acts – Slipknot, Killswitch Engage, DevilDriver, Cradle Of Filth, and 36 Crazyfists (and you can hear 2 tracks in the movie, and 2 more at the end). Track listing for the soundtrack is as follows: 1. Slipknot – Vermilion 2. The Used – Just A Little 3. The Cure – Us Or Them 4. A Perfect Circle – The Outsider (Resident Renholder Mix) 5. Lacuna Coil – Swamped 6. Killswitch Engage – The End Of Heartache 7. Rammstein – Mein Teil 8. DevilDriver – Digging Up The Corpses 9. Cradle Of Filth – Nymphetamine 10. CKY – Escape From Hellview 11. Deftones – The Chauffeur 12. HIM – Join Me In Death 13. Nightwish – Nemo 14. Thrice – Under A Killing Moon 15. 36 Crazyfists – Bloodwork 16. Cold – End Of The World (acoustic) 17. Rob Zombie – Girl On Fire (Renholder’s Apocalypse Mix) 18. Massive Attack – Future Proof check out www.roadrun.com/apocalypse to hear the soundtrack now

Do you wanna read some funny as Trustkill stuff? You can keep up with all your TK favourite bands directly with their online journals – all located HERE. Yup, we just sniggered at a few ourselves… particularly like those Ozzfest snapshots in Throwdown’s diary.

Have you noticed a problem with the Throwdown website lately? The band recently posted the below note to their Trustkill online journal… “As many of you may or may not have noticed, our website, www.xthrowdownx.com, has been down for a couple weeks. Some dickface at the old host company is sort of holding our domain for ransom. To all of you non-dorks, that means shit ain’t workin right and it’ll be another couple weeks. Til then… FOR TOUR DATES…. Check out www.trustkillshows.com or www.trustkill.com/bands/tours (in case you were unaware that this site had other features besides the journals) TO ORDER OUR SWEET ASS MERCH…. www.MerchNow.com (and look for THROWDOWN there) We promise we’ll have this problem fixed soon and you’ll be able to view a whole new revamped site. Hold tight and chill the fuck out til that happens, though, alright titcakes?”

The new Hopesfall album, “A Types” is finished and off to the printers, and having heard from our Trustkill buddies, word has it this thing sounds and looks phenomenal. Remember this album drops November 1st, we’ll have music for you guys to hear shortly!