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     What do you get when you mix modern day heavy metal, Viking Gods, and possibly a hint of Zelda charm?

      Edmonton's Forsaken Rite, of course.       Forming in October of 2012, after many line-ups coming and going, the band has finally settled down with the right musicians to create the musical storytelling they're known for. Don't mistake them for fairy tales, though. Approaching the stage like Celtic Gods and Goddesses, they are just as heavy as any other heavy metal band.

Toronto death/black metal band, Vesperia has started a crowdfunding account to record a new album, following up their EP, "The Iron Tempests" from last year.

I'm always preaching about helping the Canadian music scene and this is a perfect and direct way to do it.

Not to mention, they have some pretty awesome 'perks'. For just $5.00, you get your name in the album credits as well as a digital album.

A mere $25.00, will get you a wooden, hand-crafted, short swords made from a USED drum stick, courtesy of drummer, Dylan Gowan. Followed by a digital download of the new album BEFORE the release date, and of course, your name in the album credits.

Any hardcore viking fans?

For $100.00, you get a "CUSTOM Vesperia DRINKING HORN, a 375ML bottle of Vesperia MEAD and the new album in physical format when it is release. Also includes your name in the album credits and download of the new album BEFORE release!"

I am truly saddened to report the death of Motorhead frontman, Lemmy Kilmister.

It’s been reported in previous months that Kilmister’s health conditions were becoming a growing concern and complications had been interfering with tour dates.

Cause of death is still unknown however, his concerning health conditions with hematoma have been publicized since early 2013. Kilmister also had complications with diabetes.

To The Girls From Monday Night: An essay about women oppressing women at rock shows.

      I absolutely hate starting off an essay with an obvious definition but let’s take a look at the term “groupie” for one second: “The individual, or group of individuals, involved in obsessive adoration of entertainers such as musicians, actors, athletes, and even political figures. Behaviors are juvenile and influenced oftentimes by crush-like emotions or lustful sentiments, and often infringe the rights of the figure experiencing the attentions of a frenzied fanatic. Obsessive research and knowledge concerning the "likes/dislikes,” pet peeves, and other extraneous trivia concerning the idol are attributes shared among this stereotypical group of fans. This overly exuberant fan exhibits traits such as promiscuity, daring and often irrational behavior, as well as, loss of self control when exposed to the object of their obsessions. “         Yes, I did take this definition from the infamous www.urbandictionary.com and I should know better but I feel like this definition accurately describes the stereotype of a "groupie”. The only thing I can admire is the fact that a groupie was described as an “individual” and not necessarily “a female”.         Way to go guys! At least we now acknowledge the promiscuity of both genders, equally. It’s only 2015!         The first time I was called a groupie, it was in 2014 at a KISS and Def Leppard concert. I was making my way to the bathrooms at the beautiful outdoor venue of the White River Amphitheater in Auburn, WA. It was July, it was scorching hot, and there was no way in hell I was putting on jeans and a t-shirt at an outdoor rock show in +30C.         Making my way through the crowds in my knee-high boots, mini skirt, and Starchild face paint, I was stopped by a woman who asked if my girlfriend and I would take a picture with her husband. I assumed they thought perhaps we were “KISS” girls, promoting the band and taking pictures with fans (because KISS needs more promotion). We were flattered and posed for a few pictures beside an embarrassed but thrilled middle-aged man and I couldn’t help but love the fact that I was no longer that cute, thirteen year old girl with a pony-tail who knew 101 facts about Joe Elliott. I hit puberty and people were finally taking me seriously at rock shows. Halle-fucking-lujah!         Walking away, a small group of teenage girls glared our way. I smiled at them, they reminded me of myself at sixteen. The dark bangs, the blotchy red lips, and the excessive use of black eye-liner and plastic studs from Hot Topic. One of them smoked a cigarette but wasn’t inhaling. They were cool and I was reminiscing.        Then I heard it: “Groupie sluts”.         I didn’t say anything. I didn’t stop. I was twenty-three years old and I wasn’t going to argue my intentions with a bunch of teenagers. Plus, I was already four beers in and really had to pee. But it bugged me. Why would they think I was a groupie? A slut? I wasn’t begging security to let me backstage, I wasn’t hanging off the arm of an artist, I was going pee.         This was the first and wouldn’t be the last time someone yelled this at me with the intentions of it being vulgar and cruel.         So why don’t I take it as an insult?         Have you ever actually talked to one of those girls backstage? Or the ones standing in the front row, singing along to every word, banging their heads harder than the boys?        These girls have the best stories. They work for concerts, they’re collectors of experiences, and they’re far too busy loving the music to stand by and judge others. Do they plot their way backstage? Of course they do, that shit takes a lot of social skills and time management. Do they spend far too much time in the mirror? Yes, and there’s nothing wrong with that. They recognize the power of female sexuality and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with using it. If she isn’t doing anything out of her comfort zone, is she really exhibiting “irrational behavior” and “loss of self-control”?         Men have types: blonde, brunette, petite, curvy, smart, sporty.         What’s wrong with women being attracted to an artist? That’s primarily what a groupie is. An individual who is attracted to a creative mind. This doesn’t even have anything to do with sex. Have you ever admired someone so much, you just want to sit with them over a beer and a bowl of nachos and pick their brains?        There’s something truly admiring about these individuals, these self-proclaimed groupies who hold the title loud and proud. They’re generally artists themselves, just as emotionally invested in music  as their idols. Their lives are influenced by whatever art form they devote themselves too. I’ve never met a “groupie” who wasn’t heavily devoted to politics, religion, philosophy, history, life in general. They have fantastic opinions and dreams and it’s no wonder that some musicians use them as their muse.        So to the girl on Monday night who gave me dirty looks when I was chatting with the lead singer at the merchandise table or to the girl who hissed “slut” under her breath when I received a hug at the end of the show: I wasn’t insulted, in fact, I was flattered. I’m glad you think I had a chance! But in all honesty, I wish we could have gotten to know each other. You rocked out just as hard as I did in the front row, you knew the words, you were also a fan. We probably would have become friends. Instead, you got jealous. You let your insecurities get in your way and you threw them at me.        How do I know? Because I’m a woman, I have the same insecurities. The only difference is that I observe audiences at live shows just as much as I watch the band. As soon as a woman hits the floor, she becomes walking sex.  Metal shows have always been male dominated, “bro-clubs” and the women have always been the groupies. So imagine if we all didn’t give a shit about each other’s intentions and just focused on the music? Men are catching on to this idea so how about we stop oppressing ourselves, ladies?        Well now, there’s an idea!

       Would we enjoy the show more? Maybe, maybe not. Being called a “slut” at a concert doesn’t ruin my night. In fact, it doesn’t bother me at all. I know who I am and why I’m there and if you were to come up and share a drink with me, I would have happily told you that I’m a writer simply trying to make connections. If you were to tell me you were a self-proclaimed “groupie queen”, I would have bought you a drink and made you tell me stories. We could have become best friends and I’d finally have a partner in crime (let’s just assume). 

       Nestled somewhere in between Luke Bryan fangirls and jacked up Fords flying down Johnston Street, the guys of Forever Frost are happily resurrecting Port Alberni's heavy metal music scene since February 2015.        Playing at venues like The Cambie in Nanaimo and Funky Winker Beans in Vancouver, they're bringing the attention of heavy metal lovers back to their beloved hometown, filling local venues like The Rainbow Room and Port Alberni' annual music festival, The Five Acre Shaker.

       Most of their shows are generally all-ages but don't let that turn you off. Along with the usual metal-head camaraderie, you'll still find the stale stench of sweat and beer, accompanied by the usual neck pain and tinnitus that justifies a good metal show. 

       "It's hard to tell who is going more mental, us or the crowd!" laughs Kyle Hamelin, one of the vocalists for Forever Frost. "They [the fans] do get pretty crazy, especially at our hometown shows. A kid even broke his arm in the pit once! They have all been super supportive whether it be buying merchandise, coming to shows, or even just sharing our Facebook updates". 

       With their ages ranging between 16-23, they're already creating a name and a sound for themselves on the island with intricate melodies played by Jake Harper and Darren Dings on the guitar; overlapped by the strong and solid vocals shared by both Hunter Fast and Kyle Hamelin who steadily play off one another. The guys of Forever Frost interact with their audiences so well, it hardly seems improvised (for those who have witnessed their  "gladiator" battle lines in the mosh-pit, you'll know what I mean).        The youngest member of the band, Brad Weber (16) plays with more energy and enthusiasm than your typical bassist and still maintains the rhythmic foundation to support drummer, Connor Smyth, who can definitely prove he's worthy to bang the drums for a heavy metal band.         For the amount of energy and talent these guys bring to a show, it's hard to believe that some of them are still in high school and already have so many previous projects under their belts, individually.        Recently, the band unleashed a sneak peak of their upcoming EP as well as the promise of a full length album in the distant future. With credit going to Bryce Callow for producing the four song EP and Braedon Sutherland of Black Sea Deluge (https://blackseadeluge.bandcamp.com/) for his assistance in the mixing process, fans can't stop talking about what they're hearing on social media and the full release is highly anticipated from the heavy metal community across Vancouver Island.        And what exactly do they think about that heavy metal community?        "There IS a metal scene here, for sure. People like Sarah Étoile (Sarah Étoile Photography) , Tim Crneck (Cryptic Event Planning), and Amy Milne have been pushing and keeping the scene alive, for more than just metal. We are kind of like one big family".        And they really are. 

       For a local metal scene that used to fill bars back in the early 2000's, the music seemed to wither back into their basement studios where they begun. Only a few stuck around, content to play in front of dwindling crowds because it allowed them to continue what they love. Forever Frost was one of those bands and despite members coming and going, they still managed to maintain a fan club and show after show, you start to see more faces from all over the island.        When asked what the future holds for their music, the guys of Forever Frost all agree that they are completely committed to the band. "We just want to keep playing and take it as far as we can without burning ourselves out," Hamelin says, "touring, touring, and more touring".    Check out Port Alberni’s very own Forever Frost: