animals in Haiti

Since the earthquake(s) in Haiti I've been receiving reminders from various animal aid groups that the humans aren't the only ones suffering.

Humane Society International is one of the groups involved in getting aid not just to human people but to nonhumans in Haiti as well. Their website has reports on their findings and progress.

And from Niagara Action for Animals:

WSPA (World Society for the Protection of Animals) and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) are leading the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti (ARCH), apparently in response to an official invitation from the Haiti government.

HSI and ARCH are both collecting donations for the care and treatment of animals in Haiti.

winter 2010 metal reviews, part one

I went to my first concert of the year this week - Devin Townsend Project and Cynic, along with Scale the Summit, opening for Between the Buried and Me. I snagged my spot on the guest list because of DTP - it's been years since I've seen Hevy Devy live and after being sucked intoAddicted addiction, I couldn't resist the chance to see him again. Cynic was an added draw - I was never a huge Cynic fan, probably hadn't listened to them in years, but I remember them standing out in the early 90s metal scene and I wanted to hear what they're up to now. Well, I loved it, and now I can't figure out why I wasn't paying more attention earlier. Scale the Summit was a pleasant surprise - much more enticing live than they sound on myspace. And Between the Buried and Me, though they weren't hitting the right spot for me, clearly put on a good show (if you can forgive a rather lame turn of phrase). If my informal reflections have caught your interest, check out the official BTBAM concert review at Exclaim!.

One of my favourite new releases of the year is the new Ihsahn record, but I can't get over how Alice in Chains-ish it feels to me: Ihsahn - After - reviewed for Exclaim!.

The Sigh I was less impressed with, a disappointing development but in line with my disappointment after seeing them live on their last NA tour. Maybe I've just lost touch with what they're up to? Or maybe they've lost touch with ears like mine?: Sigh - Scenes from Hell review.

Veggie Superfriends event in St Catharines

Passing along an announcement disseminated by Niagara Action for Animals:

"Veggie Superfriends" will be coming together to raise funds for the AETA 4, 4 animal rights activists from the U.S. who are currently facing terrorism charges (10 years) for things like chalking sidewalks, wearing balaclavas at demonstrations to conceal their identities, etc. Although these charges are all frivolous, they are up against a major piece of legislation, the AETA Animal Enterprises Terrorism Act, and legal fees are mounting. Let's all get together to help all our jailed activists and show the world that unjust legislation like this will not stop the call for an end to animal cruelty. All proceeds from ticket sales are going to the legal fund for the AETA 4. The day starts at 1:00 pm and includes the following:

• Cooking Demo with Vegan Chocolate Goddess Suie Moffat. Author of "Lickin' The Beaters" and owner/operator of Boardwalk Chocolates (http://boardwalkchocolates.com/), 2pm.
• Guest lecture from Brock University Professor and former host of Animal Voices, Lauren Corman, 2:50pm.
• Tabling from local AR organizations as well as Sea Shepherd.
• Film Showing: The Cove, 3:30pm.
• Free vegan food, 5:30pm.
• Bands, starting 6:30pm:

I Refuse (Ottawa Hardcore) - http://www.myspace.com/irefusehc
Black Faxes (Toronto Hardcore) - http://www.myspace.com/blackfaxes
Class War (Niagara Hardcore Reunion!) - http://www.myspace.com/classwarhc
Northern Primitive (Niagara Rockers) - http://www.myspace.com/northernprimitive

Tickets can be had by emailing theveganpoliceradio@gmail.com or at 73 St. Paul St in the near future. There will be two separate colour tickets, one for those who are attending, and one for those who support the cause but will not be attending (blue). For those we are not in the area but want to support this cause, please donate online by paypal or email support@aeta4.org.

More info on the cause and the activists can be found here:
http://aeta4.org/ or http://www.greenisthenewred.com/blog/.

I don't know much about the case they're raising money for here, or even about the speakers and bands scheduled for the event, but I can say with a great deal of certainty that I'm against labelling animal activists as terrorists. Herbivore magazine had a story on the issue a couple of years ago. If that issue is no longer available I'll see about getting permission to scan and post the article.

new year goodies from hellbound

If your holiday goodie bag didn't satisfy your metal cravings, Hellbound's got the solution: enough free music to feed your ears for days straight (longer if you give them a nap break).

The metal zine's latest contest promises

"nearly 50 CDs from bands on the AFM, Century Media, E1 Records Canada, Ibex Moon, Metal Blade, Nuclear Blast, Prosthetic, Relapse, Roadrunner, Season Of Mist, Sensory and Sonic Unyon labels. This includes autographed CDs from AUGURY, BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, JOB FOR A COWBOY, PORCUPINE TREE, SACRIFICE, TESTAMENT and VOIVOD, a Prosthetic Records t-shirt (either L or XL), a CRADLE OF FILTH picture disc 7″ and some more stuff TBA (we’re not gonna list everything until it arrives)."

And all you have to do is list your five favourite metal albums of 2009. For the especially ravenous, you can earn a few more entries by spreading the word and subscribing to the latest Hellbound updates (see the contest page for full details).

And while you're at it, check out Hellbound's latest feature - the return of Kevi-Metal's Rimshots. Rimshots is one more tie leading back to Adrian Bromley's sorely-missed Unrestrained! magazine and a welcome addition to the Hellbound line-up.

Hellbound is seven months old now, and for me, the webzine's emergence and growth definitely qualify among the most memorable developments of 2009.