Arts

The entertainment industry has taken a beating around the globe, and Victoria is no exception. Dozens of local concerts were cancelled or postponed in the wake of COVID-19, and that trend continues as acts like Steve Miller Band, Limblifter, and Cowboy Junkies will not be making it to town for shows previously scheduled for September. […]

The Oracle Hypogeum (Repose Records) 4.5/5 One of the most vital decisions a musician makes while creating a stellar album is establishing a unique tone. Whether it’s as light and lovely as The Beatles’ “All You Need Is Love” or as tense as the Jaws theme, the tone a musician sets for their music is […]

Lee Reed Murder Hornet Landlord (Independent) 4.5/5 When it comes to recording music, there’s only one question the artist needs to ask: does the final product accurately convey their thoughts and feelings about the subject they are trying to depict? Using the compelling sounds of hip hop, Lee Reed’s new EP Murder Hornet Landlord provides […]

Primitive Man Immersion (Relapse Records) 3/5 After three years since their last full-length, Caustic, Denver-based doom/sludge metal band Primitive Man are dropping their new studio album, Immersion. “Heavy,” “furious,” and “demonic”: those are the words to describe Immersion. The album contains six tracks filled with growling vocals, powerful beats, and slow, heavy sounds that present […]

Concrete Free Us from Existence (Black Voodoo Records) 4/5 New York hardcore is one of the most iconic underground music scenes in North America. To help cement this reputation, the Albany, NY-based band Concrete is going to release a brand new full-length album Free Us From Existence today, and it’s very promising for hardcore fans. […]

New Fries Is the Idea of Us (Telephone Explosion) 4.5/5 One way to be a successful musician is to create music that goes against expectations. A good example of this is Toronto experimental band New Fries’ exquisite new album, Is the Idea of Us. By parting from our idea of what an album should be, […]

Eventually, society adjusts—this is true across generations and ages. The Free-B Film Festival, now in its 22nd season, is no exception. The three differences between this year and past years are that you need to sign up prior to the film you want to see, occupancy is limited to 50 people per movie, and the […]

Monograms Only a Ceiling Can Stay Inside Forever (PaperCup Music) 4.5/5 The greatest hope any musician has for their work is that the music they make resonates with all who hear it. Monogram’s new album, Only a Ceiling Can Stay Inside Forever, does indeed just that: it resonates with its audience, big time. When made […]

After lockdown hit in March, there was a brief period of time where local performers, artists, and audience members found fulfillment in doing online shows. But the excitement over performing online faded quickly, says Pacific Opera Victoria (POV) director of community engagement Rebecca Hass, so POV did what Hass says artists need to do to […]

The Real McKenzies Beer and Loathing (Fat Wreck Chords) 4.5/5 Vancouver punks The Real McKenzies’ 11th album, Beer and Loathing, transforms Celtic punk’s aging horse into a gelding made of bagpipes and distortion. Beer and Loathing comes out like combat boots having gone for a shoemaker’s resole: broken in yet soles new, shiny, and black. Vocalist Paul McKenzie […]