Heavy MTL: Big James names five bands to see

James Arsenian, aka Big James, aka that guy with the microphone in Endast — one of Montreal’s hardest working metal bands — knows a thing or two about heavy music. He and his brothers Chris (also Endast) and Sean (the Great Sabatini) form a dynastic triumvirate overseeing this city’s metal scene. Who better to trust for your must-sees at this weekend’s Heavy MTL festival?


Photo by Tim Snow, courtesy of Heavy MTL
 
James Arsenian, aka Big James, aka that guy with the microphone in Endast — one of Montreal’s hardest working metal bands — knows a thing or two about heavy music. He and his brothers Chris (also Endast) and Sean (the Great Sabatini) form a dynastic triumvirate overseeing this city’s metal scene. Who better to trust for your must-sees at this weekend’s Heavy MTL festival?

— Tracey Lindeman

Suicidal Tendencies. Say what you will about Suicidal Tendencies and frontman Mike Muir, but nothing gets my blood pumping like a heavy dose of well-executed hardcore punk nostalgia. This year’s Heavy MTL line-up has a few notable acts that are breathing new life into their careers. I’m sure a lot of the younger crowd will undoubtedly enjoy singing along to their favourite “classics” by Marilyn Manson, Slipknot and System of a Down… but for those of us who are a bit older, watching Mike Muir run around the stage will likely make most of us want to pick up a skateboard and drink a 40 in a park somewhere.

Cannibal Corpse. Though this band has developed a huge worldwide following, it’s also remained proudly and steadfastly underground for years. They have, however, played more festival stages than I dare to count. They are seasoned veterans of festival-sized stages and festival-sized crowds, and know how to deliver the goods with crushing ferocity. Again, this is probably the “old man” in me coming out when I say that I hope that their devastating brutality literally melts the brains of the younger portion of the crowd so they can be forged into fans that appreciate true death metal.

Diemonds. Not to be confused with the T. Mills song of the same name, Diemonds is a solid Canadian act that delivers an ’80s-infused loud rock/metal blend. I also happen to be a big fan of their guitar player Daniel Dekay, who shreds like you wouldn’t believe. Trashy in all the right ways, Diemonds know how to get the party started and I’m eager to see them rip it up. Also be sure to hunt them down at the Jägermeister tent, as I’m sure they’ll be there signing autographs and getting everyone wasted. That’s also where I’ll be, coincidentally.

In Flames. I’ve seen these guys nearly every time they’ve been to Montreal, including the first time they ever played our fair city at Foufounes Électriques, when the crowd literally moved the stage — that’s how rowdy it got. I’ve watched their Montreal audience steadily grow year after year, though this weekend will be the first time I see them play to such a large crowd. I’ve never been let down by an In Flames performance, though, so I have no doubt they’ll be as energetic as ever. Their most recent album, Sounds of a Playground Fading, had to be one of the more underrated albums of 2010. The tunes are solid and if history has shown us anything, In Flames knows how to rock Montreal.

Deftones. I’m ashamed to admit I’ve never seen Deftones live. As one of the larger acts at this year’s Heavy MTL, their appearance is surely anticipated by many, even if their sound isn’t strictly metal by any stretch of the imagination. But though they may lack in brutality, they make up for it in serious heaviosity. Very few bands that walk that line can effectively garner praise from the purist/elitist metalheads that specifically go to festivals like this to see Origin and Kataklysm (both amazing bands), but Deftones does so with style and grace. I won’t be the least bit surprised to see a kid in an Overkill T-shirt in the pit for Deftones. ■

Heavy MTL happens at Parc Jean Drapeau on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 11-12, 1-11 p.m.

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