Interview with Devon Kerr and Jason Junop of Lockhart By Jesse Striewski

Back in 2023, a little Canadian band named Lockhart first came across my radar and gave me a bit of hope again for new rock music – a rarity indeed these days – as a whole. I found myself not only reviewing their initial, self-titled EP at the time, but also picking the brain of frontman/mastermind behind the band, Devon Kerr.

Fast forward to present day, with the band dropping their debut full-length album, City Pulse. When the chance to do another interview with another band member, I once again jumped at the chance, this time opting for bassist/vocalist Jason Junop, known for his work with the likes of Cauldron and Goat Horn as well (often using the alias Jason Decay in these acts). But little did I know it would be a two-for-one affair, as said vocalist/guitarist/keyboardist Kerr would once again join in for some of the topics we discussed, too.

First and foremost, already knowing how many of the tracks on the band’s earlier EP were more or less already constructed by Kerr beforehand, I was wondering if it was more of a group effort when it came to writing/putting together the new songs, in addition to whether or not the band was physically together in the studio or not for City Pulse. Junop stated; “I would say I was a bit more involved. I did write one song and sang a little more on this one and had more input on production and such but it was still all mainly Devon. I recorded my bass and vocal parts at Welfare Sound and Muskoka Recorders up here in Muskoka.”

I couldn’t help but notice that the band appears as a five piece in the new video for the track “Can’t Shake It,” and was curious if this more or less for the sake of the video, or if it could possibly lead to future, permanent members (and if that was Thunderor/Skull Fist guitarist Jonny Nesta I saw tucked in there, too), as well as if drummer Fabio Alessandrini was on tour at the time for the shooting of their video for “City Pulse” (That features Emily Merrick in his place instead.) Kerr noted; “We used guys from the Toronto music scene to play in the music video, Jonny Nesta, and Ryan Staffa. You’re right about possibly becoming future members in a live sense at least! You’re also absolutely right about Fabio, he was out touring with Enforcer in South America during that time.”

Existing fans may also note that three of the tracks from City Pulse (“Under Fire,” “Just Can’t Wait,” and “No Chance in Heaven”) can also be found on that first EP. Prior to hearing these new versions, I was intrigued to know if they were the same tracks as previously recorded before, or all-new versions. Kerr told me; “They’re newly recorded. We changed the key of “Under Fire,” but kept the keyboard takes for “Just Can’t Wait,” and some of the keys from “No Chance in Heaven” as an ode to the EP. We know people really enjoyed those rough cuts on the EP, so we wanted to keep some of that in there.”

The track “Together As None” is also a slightly reworked 2018 Cauldron song, so I was wondering if it was Jason’s idea to use it as a Lockhart track, as well as if there were possibly one version he preferred over another, now that there were two unique variants of it. Junop stated; “That would depend on which band I’m playing it with. The Cauldron version suits Cauldron, and the Lockhart version suits Lockhart better. I think that was a standout track for Cauldron but almost too far in the AOR direction for what Cauldron is known for; Lockhart could take it to new places.”

Speaking of Cauldron, with it being a number of years now since we’ve received new music from them, I had to ask if there might be a chance we may see/hear something new from them anytime in the near future. Junop informed me; “We’ve been working on new songs for almost 3 years now and have almost a full record of new material put together, but we also all have kids now which takes priority and our logistics also keeps things slow. So I won’t put a date on it but it’s on the back burner.”

As far as playing live went, I wanted to know if Lockhart had primarily played out regionally so far, and if and when there might be any upcoming plans to take the band on the road in the near future, and was actually somewhat surprised by the response given for this one; “We have not played live at all. The music is too shiny and complex to put it all together just to go play in a greasy club. If the right show comes along then we will do it.”

And lastly, with such a vast amount of influences showing through in their music, I had to know what a dream lineup would look like if Lockhart could share the stage with any band(s) possible, past or present. Junop said matter-of-factly; “Slik Toxik, Platinum Blonde, Killer Dwarfs and Sacrifice.”

That being said, hopefully some day we’ll all be able to rock alongside Lockhart in a live setting (with or without any of the previously-mentioned dream lineup bands). Until then, be sure to grab yourself a copy of City Pulse, and crank your speakers up to ’11!’

Album Review: Skull Fist -Paid in Full (Atomic Fire Records)

By: Jesse Striewski

Four long years since their last album, the mighty Skull Fist are back with their fourth full-length record. This time around, the thrashers are out to prove their rightful place among the upper echelon of modern metal, and they more or less prove it here.

I wasn’t even initially that impressed by the first single, “Long Live the Fist,” but Paid in Full contains eight tracks of intense top-notch metal that’s hard to ignore. Starting off appropriately enough with the title track, there’s very few moments where things let up here, with brilliant Maiden-inspired guitar riffs that lead the charge all the way (even though the presence of now-former guitarist Jonny Nesta is slightly missed).

Things reach their peak in the form of “Blackout” and “Madman,” two epic anthems worth turning up to eleven. All in all, Paid in Full is a relentless assault on the senses that never fully lets up, and a worthy effort that should not be overlooked.

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Album Review: Thunderor – Fire It Up (Boonsdale Records)

By: Jesse Striewski

Something about Canadian rock and metal seems to just always hit the spot, and in the grand tradition of classic and modern power trios from the great north such as Rush, Exciter, and Cauldron, enter Thunderor (okay, so maybe the name doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, but here me out here!).

Formed by Skull Fist drummer JJ Tartaglia (who also serves as vocalist here) and former guitarist Jonny Nesta, the two ex-bandmates are joined by bassist Oscar Rangel (who also briefly did some time with fellow canucks Annihilator). The chemistry of these three rockers combined gives off an undeniable, contagious energy that shines through their music.

The moment I first heard “How We Roll,” I knew I was in trouble…and instantly hooked. Other numbers like “All or Nothing,” “On the Run,” “We Can Make It,” and the epic title track, infuse multiple sub-genres like thrash, power, and synth metal, and are the type of adventurous anthems that make life still feel like it’s worth living even on its darkest of days.

Being more on the pop side, I can see how the more “brutal” metalheads might put their noses in the air to this. But if you’re able to just open your mind and embrace it, you might just have yourself some fun, and what’s so bad about that?

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Enforcer and Warbringer at The Haven Lounge in Orlando, FL on 10/12/19 By Jesse Striewski/Photos By Brooke Striewski

I’ve been going to metal and rock shows for nearly a quarter of a century now. In that span of time, I’ve attended as everything from the fan in the crowd, to the musician on stage (and for a brief time, I’ve even been the security behind the barricades). For over a decade now though, my role at shows has largely been that of a music journalist (and when my wife is unavailable, the occasional photographer, too), reporting everything I see and hear in great detail.

But at my age (and with having a bum leg), I tend to experience most shows on the sidelines these days (it makes it a lot easier for jotting down notes, anyhow!). But last Saturday, October 12 at The Haven Lounge in Orlando (or is it Winter Park?), I broke my own rules, and exerted myself right in the middle of all of the action for the first time in I can’t even remember how long…and have zero regrets about it.

Perhaps it had something to do with the initial opening act, Orlando’s own Darkness by Design, whose immediate intensity, reminiscent of old school Slayer, caught the attention of the entire room, and demanded one to listen up instantly. Guitarist Marcos Mercado’s massive riffs were a definite highlight, making them a force to be reckoned with on stage.

Destructonomicon were next on the bill. I’ve caught them a time or two over the years, and judging by their performance this past weekend, they haven’t matured all that much since then (but go figure, with a name like that). Although they did initiate a decent response from the audience, their “tough guy” brand of crossover doesn’t quite do much for me these days.

Another local outfit I’ve seen a time or two over the years, Thicket, were up next. I’m not entirely sure how to place them; part traditional thrash and part progressive metal, their lack of cohesion is somewhat of a strange mixture. Still, there was no denying they had the club amped up and ready for a night of more headbanging by the end of their set.

The band that got me through the door that night, Enforcer, were next to play. I’ve been a fan of theirs since another magazine I’ve often freelanced for asked me to review their 2015 album, From Beyond. With their ability to skillfully mimic the sounds of such beloved ’80s thrash/extreme metal bands such as Megadeth or Venom (though without ripping anyone off), I was instantly hooked on these Swedish metalheads from the start, and have sought their entire catalog out ever since. Prior to last Saturday’s show I had heard that some of the members would not be present for this tour, but had no idea only lead vocalist/guitarist/overall mastermind Olof Wilkstrand would be present from the band’s core lineup, along with touring musicians that included Skull Fist guitarist Jonny Nesta. Warbringer guitarist Chase Becker also filled in on bass, while Hellwitch drummer Brian Wilson rounded things out behind the drumset.

Still, I knew from the moment they hit the stage with “Destroyer” that this particular night would be different, and found myself quickly making my way to the front of the stage to scream along with every lyric (that I could remember anyway). More crushing anthems like “Die For the Devil,” “Searching For You,” “Undying Evil,” “From Beyond,” “Belles of Hades/Death Rides the Night,” “Zenith of the Black Sun,” and “Mesmerized by Fire,” all followed with total fury.

What came as an even bigger shock (other than how hard they played) was the fact they managed to represent every album of their career, including one of my personal favorites from the Diamonds album, “Live For the Night,” as well as “Scream of the Savage” from their lesser- known 2008 debut album, Into the Night. After an epic rendition of “Take Me Out of This Nightmare,” the band came back for two more Diamonds-era tracks, “Katana” and Midnight Vice” before finally calling it a night.

By the time they finished their set, there was no doubt that my wife/photographer and I were both in need of a reprieve before Warbringer hit the stage, and by the time we got back from grabbing some fresh air, the club was already packed again. I have to admit I don’t know Warbringer’s (who were technically the headliner of the night) material as well as Enforcer’s, but I did familiarize myself with some of their music beforehand, and recognized some of the tracks in their set, such as “Remain Violent,” “Firepower Kills,” and “Severed Reality.” Their music is honestly a bit hit or miss for me; at times on the interesting side, while at other times extremely generic sounding. One thing’s for sure, their intensity might have come close to matching Enforcer’s (who no doubt stole the show that night), but were far less superior in comparison.

And the end of the night, we even had the pleasure of meeting some of the members of Enforcer, including said front man Wikstrand, and fill-in guitarist Nesta, who each embodied the living “rock star” image without tarnishing it one bit, both being as down to Earth as possible, and helping to make it one memorably epic night indeed.

Enforcer Live Shot 2

Interview with Skull Fist Frontman Zach Slaughter By Jesse Striewski (Photo By Stefanie Myer)

Skull Fist Pic - Stefanie Myer

In the ’80s, Canada produced a number of notable metal acts (Exciter, Annihilator, Anvil, etc…), each admirable in their own right. Now a new breed of bands have slowly taken over as the kings of the Great White North, including Striker, Cauldron, and Skull Fist (among others). I was recently able to speak with Skull Fist singer/guitarist Zach Slaughter, who was more than just a little stoked about the band’s upcoming 3rd album, Way of the Road about to be released later this month after nearly a 4 year gap in between albums; “Dude. seriously right?! It’s almost weird to have this album coming out now, although the songs were written some time ago, I am already bored of them and have gotten the 4th album written.. so…forget this one everyone? (Laughs). We spent a lot of time just waiting to see if my voice would heal (almost 3 years), so in the meantime I was always writing a lot more music.”

When asked where Way of the Road was recorded and if the songwriting was a group effort, Zach says, “Well a lot of the songs I had already written a while back. The album was supposed to be released almost 3 years ago but because of all the voice surgery issues I had, I was forced to keep waiting. We recorded it at the same place we did the 2nd album, with Eric Ratz at Vespa Studio in Toronto. He’s real good at this stuff man, any sound you’re looking for he can nail it. I’m really happy with how he got this stuff going. I usually write the tunes but the boys are always around to give some input. “Witch Hunt” was actually a riff from Jonny, and it was JJ’s idea to write a swing song on this record. You can thank Casey for the title of the album as well.”

The band is also about to take Way of the Road on the road. Regarding it, Zach informs me, “Yeah man, going to do that whole worldwide crap again. That sounds lame when I say it like that (laughs), but basically we will go out to all the places we have gone in the past. Right now we will do the Euro thing with Striker from Canada as well. That’ll be in November, the dates should be out by the time people read this. After that we’ll get a South American tour going, after that North America, then after that, I’ll probably break another bone skateboarding? (Laughs).

When it comes to playing the new songs live, Zach says the tracks he is most looking forward to playing include “No More Running,” Stay True,” and “Way of the Road.” “I think those ones are a bit more enjoyable for me playing live, but its hard to say what songs will wind up as live staple tracks, you know? Just gotta play ’em out for a while and see what happens. I’m still stoked on a few of the old tracks as well, “Ride On” always feels right when I’m playing it live. I never know which songs people will like the most though, my predictions for the 1st and 2nd album were wayyyyy off (Laughs)!

-J.S.