America's northern neighbors often get overlooked when it comes to metal. When we think of their musical contributions, either Rush or Nickelback immediately springs to mind. However, Canada has grown many great acts these past forty years; and it would appear that the most fertile soil for metal has been in the province of Quebec.
Death metal flourishes here; one only needs to lend an ear to recognize that. Tech death legends Gorguts originate from Sherbrooke, while Cryptopsy and Beyond Creation call Montreal their home. The latter city is also home to Despised Icon, the Agonist, and Kataklysm, three bands who have become very popular in recent years. Augury and Ex Deo (which features members of Kataklysm) have also made names for themselves lately. Of course one cannot overlook Voivod, the highly influential thrash-turned-prog metal band.
While the province might not be churning out bands at the same rate as Sweden, Germany, or America, it certainly is producing some high-quality material. I know nothing about Quebec's history and culture aside from the fact it was once a French colony, so I can't rightly ascertain what allows for it to be such a hotbed for metal. Even so, there continues to be a slew of bands emerging from the region that are guaranteed to rip your face off. You've heard of Les Légions Noires of France? Well there are Les Légions du Grand Nord Blanc!
Lanaudiere
Sainte-Foy
Gatineau
Outlying
Bécancour
Bécancour
Montreal
Montreal
Montreal
Sept-Îles
L'Assomption
Montreal
Trois-Rivières
Deux-Montagnes/Montreal
May Catch Fire
Lévis
Ether
Chambly
Aeternam
Québec
Hollow
Montreal
Suburban Disorder
Chambly
Faithful Synthesis
Joliette/Montreal
Metalord
Québec
Epiphany from the Abyss
Québec
Svalbard
Québec
Ordoxe
Nicolet
The Great Sabatini
Montreal
Phosphorus
Québec
Dissension
Montreal
Entheos
Rouyn-Noranda
Incandescence
McMasterville
If any of these bands have piqued your interest, you may want to undertake a road trip up to the province. Montreal has plenty of rockin' establishments, most notably Foufounes Electriques and Katacombes. In Québec City, you may want to check out L'Agitee. Want some bigger shows? The Trois-Rivières Metalfest is an excellent event to witness international bands coming together, but the true glory comes in the form of Heavy MTL, Canada's largest metal music festival. It's like a miniature Wacken, showcasing from the underground as well as giants like Metallica.
So what do you think? Like these guys? Hate them? Have better suggestions? I got some help for this post from the dude behind the Quebec-Metal Archives. Pretty much all of the bands he pointed out to me are here, as well as a few others I've dug up. Hope you like what you see!
PS, I'm constantly looking around the world for help. Where should I do my next Metal Metal Land post on? Know any good bands in your area? Hit me up!
PPS, Sorry I'm not going in depth about the bands. I'll allow you all to form your own opinion. If they're here, I clearly like them. I'll go in depth describing bands on other posts, such as reviews or certain lists.
So what do you think? Like these guys? Hate them? Have better suggestions? I got some help for this post from the dude behind the Quebec-Metal Archives. Pretty much all of the bands he pointed out to me are here, as well as a few others I've dug up. Hope you like what you see!
PS, I'm constantly looking around the world for help. Where should I do my next Metal Metal Land post on? Know any good bands in your area? Hit me up!
PPS, Sorry I'm not going in depth about the bands. I'll allow you all to form your own opinion. If they're here, I clearly like them. I'll go in depth describing bands on other posts, such as reviews or certain lists.
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