This Friday, The Blizzard Continues at Toad’s Place

 

In case you haven’t looked at Facebook in three months, Alternative Control would like to remind you that Opus’ B-Day Blizzard Bash is happening this Friday at Toad’s Place in New Haven.  The “who’s who” night of Connecticut metal will begin at 6 and feature 13 bands on two stages:

“So Jessie May, you’ll be there at six ‘o’clock sharp throwing up the horns all night, right?”

Nope.  I’ll be in New York City eating fancy Chinese food with my in-laws.  Here are the bands I’ll be sorriest to miss:

End-Time Illusion

This northern Connecticut death metal band has a mechanical precision that you can still bang your head to.  They don’t often (ever?) play my end of the state, so I’m glad to see them when I can — the last time was actually at Hothfest in Massachusetts, go figure.

Apostasy

You don’t expect a bunch of dudes with T-Rex tattoos and basketball shirts to break out Amon Amarth covers, but Apostasy lays to waste my preconceived fashion notions.  I always enjoy their performances and their members’ inflammatory Facebook posts about “the scene,” as well as pictures of Ryan’s dog on Instagram.  Here is a teaser track from their upcoming album — you can hear the Viking fervor!

Lightsbane

I’d probably still like Lightsbane even if their music was, to quote an ancient philosopher, recorded in mono into a boombox that was inside a metal trash can.  Thankfully, it’s not.  Check out one of their latest live videos…. And if you think this is underwhelming, wait ’til ya see the free hot dogs in the parking lot!

Eyes of the Dead

These guys already have a blurb in the “for the general public” article that’s supposed to run later this week, but what the hell.  Their live show never disappoints — and apparently I’m not the only one eating Chinese food with my family that night, because Jeff Curtiss will be filling in for Brian on bass.  Play “Murder and Executions” and “Post Mortem Glory” for me, boys!

In addition to the bands mentioned above, the Blizzard Bash will also feature  Jasta, Dead By Wednesday, Cyperna, Drained of Life, Sakara, Sever The Drama, Risk All In Life, Alcoholica (classic Metallica tribute), and Earth (Sabbath tribute).  As you know, you can get discount passes from any of the performers.  Here are the set times as listed in the Facebook event, but make sure to check for any updates closer to the show:

Doors – 6PM.
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1. Apostasy – 6:15 – 6:45pm. (Main)
2. Sever The Drama – 6:45 – 7:30pm. (Lilly Pad)
3. R.A.I.L. – 7:00 – 7:30pm. (Main)
4. Lightsbane – 7:30 – 8:15pm. (Lilly Pad)
5. Drained Of Life (Reunion) – 7:45 – 8:15pm. (Main)
6. Sakara – 8:30 – 9:30pm. (Lilly Pad)
7. End-Time Illusion – 8:30 – 9:00pm. (Main)
8. Cyperna – 9:15 – 9:45pm. (Main)
9. Eyes of the Dead – 10:00 – 10:30pm. (Main)
10. Dead By Wednesday – 10:45 – 11:25pm. (Main)
11. Jasta – 11:30 – 12:30am (Main)
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12. Earth (Sabbath tribute jam) – 12:40 – 12:55am.
13. AlcoholicA (Metallica tribute jam) – 1:00am – ’Til ???