By Paul Baker
If you’re looking for some marvelous melodies this holiday season to counteract the same old, tiresome carols, have no fear. There are plenty of bitchin’ bands coming through town to warm the cockles of your winter-chilled, music-loving heart.
For those who enjoy some rock standards, check out Metallica at the Saddledome on Thursday and Friday. Tickets are sold out, but the more resourceful metalheads might be able to track some down. There are a few more options for those looking for music Friday to celebrate the last day of classes. If you’d like to chill on campus, the Nog Fest Warm-Up featuring the Ex-Boyfriends and Constant Season is going down at That Empty Space. Heading downtown, Broken City is hosting the Hermit with support from Raccoon and Fox Opera, who are playing their last show until February. Saturday, also downtown, the Agnostic Mountain Gospel Choir is hitting the Marquee Room.
Hard rockers get a chance to rock hard a few times in the next few weeks. Metalcorers the Black Dahlia Murder swing by the Warehouse on Dec. 10 with the Misery Index and Soilent Green. If you’re tired of trying to beat “Through The Fire And The Flames” on expert in Guitar Hero III, check out how the pros do it as Dragonforce shred speedily at MacEwan Student Centre on Dec. 16.
Calgary is in for an indietastic mid-December. For an indie dance party, check out electronic Torontonians MSTRKRFT as they spin records at the Whiskey on Dec. 17. Campus will then get a double-dose as Metric and Tokyo Police Club rock on through Dec. 18 and 19.
Between all the Christmas and New Years parties, you might feel a bit worn-out by the end of the month, but Monotonix are reportedly a do not miss event. The wild Israeli rockers are bringing their frenzied live set to Broken City on Dec. 28 with locals the Mad Cowboys and Mt. Royal.
Good music continues into the new year with locals the Summerlad releasing a video. Broken City is hosting their video release party Jan. 8 with fellow Calgarians Gunther and Heat Ray. Then head back to see west coast indie poppers Hey Ocean! who are back again, coming to SAIT’s the Gateway on Jan. 17.