Mike Peters
The heavy grooves delivered by drummer Mike Peters are an important element in the band’s music. He plays his DW kit mainly with a single kick drum and only sparsely uses his twin pedal. The mostly mid tempo rock and punk grooves allow Mike to hit the skins and Sabian symbals with large movements, which adds to the show element. Unfortunately the many ghost notes in between the loud accents on the snare drum disappeared completely in the wall of noise.

Cancer Bats front man Liam Cormier (formerly drumming for various hardcore bands in Montreal by the way) delivered an engaging stage presence that was well appreciated by the audience. The band suitably rocked out the audience and even managed to create circle pits. However, Cancer Bats never quite matched the next band\'s level of intensity.

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The Black Dahlia Murder
Detroit, Michigan based The Black Dahlia Murder is a melodic death metal/metalcore band influenced by bands like At the Gates, Dissection and Carcass. They formed in 2000 and debuted with full-length album ‘Unhallowed’ in June 2003. The release of that critically lauded cd was only the beginning of an almost nonstop touring itinerary that kept them on the road for nearly two years.

Original drummer Cory Grady was replaced by Zach Gibson, who was followed up by Pierre Langlois. In between Kevin Talley and Tony Laureano stepped in for several live shows. Fortunately the band finished their search for a replacement drummer when they found ex-All That Remains drummer Shannon Lucas.

Shannon Lucas
Shannon made his debut on 2007 album \'Nocturnal\' and he is both in the studio and live on stage one hell of a drummer. The band’s music is crammed with jackhammering blast beats and ultra fast double bass patterns.

Black Dahlia Murder’s musical whirlwind offers so much that it’s easy to get lost in the wall of noise – in particular when performed live. Lucky the band had hired a skilled sound engineer who did a great job. During the sound check Shannon’s triggered kicks sounded quit plastic, but once the band started the kick drums fitted very well in the overall sound. Thanks to the perfect sound and the musicians\' great craftmanship their songs were delivered with all details intact.

Shannon, using a Tama drum kit with Sabian cymbals, had no problem at all with the incredible speed and extreme intensity. Supported by a click track he played with surgical precision and hit the snare very consistently both during the scarce slow parts and the many high speed tempos.

Like the long-unsolved murder of Hollywood actress Elizabeth Short, also known as the Black Dahlia, from which the band took its name, The Black Dahlia Murder’s appeal is visceral and dark, a terror-filled exploration of extreme sounds and vicious brutality. The band presented such an impressing, very convincing live show that they had removed almost every memory of the opening band’s performance. Definitely one of the best shows this year!

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