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Cancer Bats

All of Green

Cancer Bats Destroy Moncton

The Canadian metal scene has experienced a resurgence in recent years, with bands like Alexisonfire and Protest The Hero releasing chart topping albums and garnering worldwide attention for their unique brands of heavy music. Bucking current industry trends by catering to an all-ages audience -- an audience that isn't supposed to buy CDs anymore -- many of these artists are building large, loyal followings with limited mainstream media support. Instead, the bands are relying on a tried and true method of developing a fan base: hitting the road, and hitting it often.

Toronto's Cancer Bats are no exception to that rule. The quartet recently released its sophomore album Hail Destroyer through Canadian label Distort, and has three months worth of dates scheduled to support the disc, including a stop at The Manhattan (Moncton) May 2. It's the group's first visit to the East Coast since last summer, and vocalist Liam Cormier is looking forward to it.

"For us, the East Coast has always been a rad place to play, so we know it's going to be an awesome tour," he says during a stop in Hamilton, Ontario. "The East Coast has never let us down, and I don't think it's going to change any time soon." The Cancer Bats aren't looking to disappoint either. Hail Destroyer is a solid offering, running the gamut from stoner rock to classic hardcore. Musically, it's less frantic than what's currently being offered in the Canadian metal landscape -- more Down than Dragonforce, if you will -- but what Hail Destroyer lacks in technical prowess, it makes up for in sheer intensity. Cormier thinks it'll be a big hit with fans, but he doesn't have any set expectations for the disc.

"We don't have strict goals or anything, we're just trying to be the best band we can be," he says. "We want to keep touring and be a full time band, but beyond that our goal is being as rad of a live band as we can be, and having it come across on record."

Go Green

All of Green fans are finally going to be able to take a piece of the band home with them. The Fredericton based rock quintet will begin recording their long awaited debut album later this month, and guitarist Andrew Butler says the disc's release is the band's top priority.

"I'm extremely happy to say we'll be recording with Brad Perry this month," says Butler, who perform with the band Fredericton's The Capital May 2 and Saint John's Elwood's May 3. "I've been trying to get us into a couple festivals and there will be some shows, but our main focus is to get this album recorded and out." The extended wait for recorded material is mainly attributed to hectic schedules, as most of the members are in multiple bands.

Bassist Nick Cobham and guitarist Steven Dunn currently juggle five musical projects each, while Butler and drummer Matt Gillis aren't too far behind with four (singer Caleb Crandall is the lone member without a side project). Butler admits that finding enough time for tours and recording dates is a daunting task, but he's up for it.

"There's never enough time," he says. "A lot of times we don't have a chance to get in a full practice before a show. Sometimes it's just a sound check to get comfortable, sometimes it's nothing at all. Personally, I'm OK with any situation. Having a full practice before a show will make me nice and comfortable when I get onstage. Having no practice makes me much more aware of what's happening onstage. It usually works out either way."