Music

Blackguard

Montreal metalheads on tap for big House of Rock show

Andrew Patrie |

 
Blackguard’s dining room.

Joey Gunderson may be gone, but he certainly did not go gently into that good Florida. His parting gift to the scene he helped nurture was to book four titanic metal shows in as many months. Jungle Rot, Lightning Swords of Death, and Rumpelstiltskin Grinder all played here this summer. And while we wait for his efforts to reach their apogee this November, when DRI takes the stage, we have a tantalizing wayside stop in the shape of Montreal’s Blackguard. Signed to monolithic indie label Nuclear Blast for their debut long player – 2009’s Profugus Mortis – and playing a style of death metal that blends the melodic sensibilities of early Amorphis and recent Amon Amarth with the folk (read: Viking or battle metal) tendencies of Turisas and Tyr, you are guaranteed an entertaining night that promises to keep your ale cups topped to the brim and your horns raised at full mast … at least until Fimbulvetr. Legions are advised to come early to experience the preliminary pillaging of Appleton’s deathrash trio Upon Extinction (whose recent demo Under a Mayan Sun totally slays), Minneapolis metalcore mob Redsky (promoting their debut The Circle of Blood), and EC’s Defenestrator, whose 2010 demo is absolutely essential.

    Blackguard + Upon Extinction + Defenestrator + Redsky • Sept. 23 • House of Rock, 422 Water St. • 9pm • $5 • ages 21+ • www.house-of-rock.com