Black Hat Brigade - The Silver Dollar

A call-to-arms, combining elements of sparkling indie-rock with a soaring UK-esque swagger, throwing daring twists at you, pummeling percussion, ringing guitar-riff echoes, to infectious avant-garde folk-elements. This is a dynamic yet quirky concoction of high-energy blasts of sound and style. A successful EP release.

The Isoceles Project - El Mocambo

This trio is a prog-metal tour-de-force. An adventurous yet explosive demonstration of rock musicianship, stunning propulsive riffs led by virtuoso Eric Butler, who might be TO's answer to John Petrucci. The band, TO's answer to the Mars Volta--unleashing roughneck instrumentals seething with such spellbinding fury, this is chainsaw-riffage and scorching power that would make Joe Satriani to Robert Fripp, or hell, even Iron Maiden, grin from the rock-pyrotechnic stratosphear.

Metz - The Boat

Blurring the lines between post-rock and psych-meets-classic-rock, as if Black Sabbath and Hawkwind collided unleashing a heated explosion of driving riffs and pummeling drums. A loud thunderous assault, but very much in keeping with the majestic rock and roll spirit. Phoenix rising. Hard charging. In all it's blazing glory.

Eric Clapton - Molson Amphitheatre

Frost warnings and outdoor venues don't go hand-in-hand, but witnessing this original guitar-god was a humbling experience, blasting intuitive blues, an acoustic unplugged set, and scorching freestyle improvisations. A gritty hard-edged attack, trademark guitar wailin', a retrospective that ended with Cocaine, Layla, and Mojo Rising. Gut-wrenching and legendary virtuosity. You just can't take the Delta out of the blues.

Bolero/TSO - Roy Thomson Hall

Maurice Ravel's Bolero is all about seduction. Symphonic allure. An irresistible courtship dance that gradually entices you, a circular pattern, unfolding, arousing sinful temptation, ultimately erupting into a roar of majestic and climatic ecstasy. Beginning as sweet candles flickering, ending in a burning eruption of passion. The explosive power exemplifies the sheer jubilation this piece continues to instill, and the timeless spell it continues to cast.

First Person Shooter - Rancho Relaxo

An aural adrenaline rush of blinding synths, rapidfire riffs, and brash vocals. An uber-cool presence combined with an industrial-dance-punk assault that will leave you in stitches, blazing, fiery, and full of attitude. To see FPS clicking on all cylinders is like witnessing lightning strike.

The Invasions - The Rivoli

Down-and-dirty garage-rock combined with a little late 70's post-punk. Blazing riffs and loads of attitude. A decadence that carries that spirit of a bygone era. Really goes to show you, that the flame will never die.