tidying up the review link backlog (happy autumn)

In the absence of a more substantial post, here are links to various exclaim.ca reviews (by me). If you follow me on twitter you may have seen them already, but if not...

Wolverine - Communication Lost (Candlelight)

Eyeswithoutaface - Monotoneotony (Independent)
Leprous - Bilateral (InsideOut)
Opeth - Heritage (Roadrunner) (and thanks, Metal Matt, for the kind comments, even if you don't like the record)

Next up, links to Hellbound.ca coverage of my recent Katatonia love-in (metaphorically speaking), and perhaps a few words here about Enslaved and Alcest - set to play in Toronto Friday, September 30.

just because it's not metal doesn't mean I can't support what they're trying to do

In this case, raise awareness and money to help women victims of male violence...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Kojo Damptey
Songwriter/Music Producer
Hamilton, Ontario
(289) 700-7514
easythepianoman@gmail.com

September 15th, 2011

Hamilton Artist Raises Awareness Through The Power Of Music

Hamilton Ontario- Songwriter, Kojo "Easy" Damptey, is determined to help battered women in his community
with the release of his new, soul single, Broken Promises. Every purchase of the song raises money for Interval
House (a non-profit agency in Hamilton that serves women who are in or have been in abusive relationships) so
that they can continue to provide a safe place for mistreated women across the city.

Damptey has scheduled a lineup of upcoming video release parties for his inspirational single in hopes of gaining
further donations for Interval House. He invites the public to come out, enjoy a drink and experience the haunting
horns and sharp lyrics of "Broken Promises" on:

• Friday September 16th at The Casbah Lounge with Toronto Hip-hop group Magnolius, Guest appearance from Canadian Winter
• Friday October 7th at Sky Dragon.

When asked why he chose to raise awareness for violence against women, Damptey replied, "I felt it was needed.
It's an issue that needs to be discussed so that our mothers, sisters and daughters are safe in our community."

Originally from Accra, Ghana, Kojo "Easy" Damptey moved to Hamilton at the young age of 17. It was his years of
beat-making and love of instruments that eventually lead him to co-producing Kae Sun's EP, "Ghost Town Prophecy",
with Jordan Abraham and Kae Sun. He later joined Nicola Moore to record "Ways on My Own", which circled the
Honey Jam Circuit in Toronto.

Damptey continues to write, compose and produce with various artists locally and around the world. He finishes by
saying, "my main purpose is to use the arts to bring attention to issues that affect everyday people."

To purchase "Broken Promises" and donate to Interval House, visit http://kojoeasydamptey.bandcamp.com/track/broken-promises

talk against animal experimentation in medical science: Sept 17 at Brock University

An announcement, courtesy of Niagara Action for Animals:

Dr. Ray Greek, MD and critic of animal research

• Friday, September 17, 7–9 p.m. @ Brock University, Pond Inlet

Sponsored by Brock's Department of Sociology

Teacher, author, and research, Dr. Gray is also president of the not-for-profit Americans For Medical Advancement.

arch enemy + chthonic + amnesty international

Heavy metal, aside from a few select subgenres, tends to be anti-political. But there are, of course, many exceptions to that stance - some admirable, some less so. In another mark to chalk up to the admirable side, Arch Enemy has gone explicitly pro-human rights on their latest North American tour, inviting Amnesty International along for the ride.

According to Century Media, many of Arch Enemy's upcoming tour stops will feature Amnesty International booths, where reps from the organization will be handing out information and seeking signatures of support. Apparently Arch Enemy's Taiwanese tour mates Chthonic are in full support of the move as well as championing Amnesty International's humanitarian goals.

Bravewords.com (among other sites) has the full press release and list of upcoming Arch Enemy and company tour dates, including a night in Toronto on September 14.