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The day had barely ended, but the sky was as dark as pitch. Light rain fell over a city awash in gunmetal greys and damp taupes. I leaned against the wall, half-finished drink in hand, and waited for my friends. Garish neon lights of blue and green flashed out from the Société des arts technologiques and lit up the raindrops in freefall. Heady baselines thumped through the wall, and I took the repeated slaps on the back until I spotted my entourage. We traded in our tickets at the door, held out our wrists for branding, and set foot inside the S.A.T for a Monday night show.

The first act was Gloom Influx, a local boy by the name of Luc Leclerc, who had a penchant for multitasking. Truly, I was amazed when I peered through the line of shadowy heads before me to see Gloom Influx handling a guitar, keyboard, and laptop all by himself. Through a haze of smoke, lights, and shadow, Influx’s music whisked me away to a world I had never experienced before. It was a world of bell-like chimes layered on top of threatening bass, sugary melodies melting into deep and sure beats. It put me in the mind of a half-lucid dream, where the landscape could change at any minute, and there was something strange but not unwelcome lurking around every corner. It was my first time hearing anything from this artist, and his music sucked me in and whetted my appetite for the cyberpunk nightmare that was to come. 

I had seen the main act before but was just as excited as the first time. The man behind the madness, James Kent, took up his position at stage right (his live drummer took centre stage) and wasted no time in immersing his audience in the world of Perturbator. I was delighted to hear my two favorite songs, “Neo Tokyo” and “Perturbator’s Theme”, at the beginning and end of the show respectively. Blinded by the prism of lights that accompanied the music, I danced. I forgot the world of our Neo-Montreal outside, the friends whose company I kept, and even myself. The frantic, grinding, threatening synths, and the metal-inspired progressions moved through the crowd and stirred our souls. The music dragged me down the alleyways of nameless industrial cities, over crumbling cement rooftops, and through dark warehouses where shadowy figures hung around the edges of my imagination. I was all too happy to follow where the self-induced aural psychosis led.

My friends and I often refer to the music of Perturbator and Gloom Influx as “electronic music for metalheads.” Indeed, the crowd that night boasted many a denim kutte and faded Napalm Death decal. However, there were also girls in flowing black dresses, men in plaid button downs, and even some folks who preferred to keep their rain jackets on. No matter what subculture the audience members identified with, we were united in our love for the music. As someone who often straddles the lines between subcultures, I have always seen Perturbator as a crossroads of various alternative scenes. It is electronic music for metalheads, but also for goths, punks, scene kids, rivetheads, and anyone who feels called to its dark atmosphere. 

The night ended with a tasteful encore that left the audience satisfied without keeping them past their bedtimes. My friends and I retrieved our coats, discussing the show, the lights, and Perturbator’s involvement in the Hotline Miami soundtrack. As we stepped out into the cold and wet night again, we bade our goodbyes and parted ways. I walked home riding a “concert high”, a sort of elation one experiences after a particularly fun concert. And, despite the miserable weather, the neon lights and flickering streetlamps of Neo-Montreal lit my path all the way home.

Brittany Wright is the host of Something Wicked on CJLO, airing every Monday evening at 10 pm. 

Hosted by Ahmad Moujtahed

Stories by Ahmad Moujtahed

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LOCAL

This was Sophie Gaillard, lawyer and spokeswoman for the SPCA referring to Norman Trahand owner of St-Édouard Zoo in Trois Rivières, who was arrested by SPCA officers and the SQ on charges of animal neglect and cruelty.

After evaluating the condition of the animals at the zoo, a senior campaign manager told a news conference that most animals remained in dilapidated enclosures, had limited access to food and water, and appeared to be in need of veterinary care.

The charges stem from a visit in August 2018, when the SPCA said it noted several alleged violations. In a subsequent visit in October, officials seized two alpacas that were in poor health and found four deceased animals, including two tigers.

A resident who lives nearby the zoo told CTV news that he has seen dead or dying animals on the property. He said residents would bring apples for the deer in winter out of fear they weren’t being well fed.

If convicted, the owner of the zoo could face a maximum of five years in jail and a lifetime ban on owning animals

NATIONAL

Canadian Minister of Tourism announced investments in support of Pride festivals across Canada, including major investments in Pride Toronto, Fierté Montréal, and the Vancouver Pride Society.

Regional economic development agencies will work with Fierté Canada Pride to support even more Pride events across the country.

Other projects will include LGBTQ diversity training and market readiness programs in order to provide safe and respectful sites across Canada that everyone can enjoy.

These investments, part of the Canadian Experiences Fund (CEF), foster values of diversity and equity making Canada a welcoming destination for LGBTQ travellers.

INTERNATIONAL

In a statement, the UN Refugee Agency said that “given the worsening political, economic, human rights and humanitarian situation” in Venezuela, the U.N. “now considers that the majority of those fleeing the country are in need of international refugee protection.”

The new guidelines underscore the growing humanitarian crisis in Venezuela that is forcing people to take desperate journeys in search of food, medicine and other basic necessities.

The crisis comes as the country is locked in a political struggle between Juan Guaidó, leader of the National Assembly of Venezuela and Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro.

Letterboxd Review “Sends You on a Spiritual Musical High” 

    Amazing Grace is a gospel hymn that is as iconic as the American national anthem. It is also the title of a live album that Aretha Franklin recorded in Los Angeles, January of 1972. As well as being the best selling album for Franklin, it is the highest selling gospel album of all time. Originally Warner Brothers created a documentary film, directed by Sydney Pollack. It was Constructed as footage of the recording album set to be released in 1972, but it was later shelved. This lost footage is now finished in this documentary from director Alan Elliot and Editor Jeff Buchanan. Pollack is credited as a director for this documentary. 

    At the point depicted in the film, Aretha Franklin was at the height of her career with many top songs and accolades, but was looking to do something different for her next album. The live performance was spaced out over the course of two nights at New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles. Night one is seen more as an intimate performance due to the fact that there wasn’t a big crowd. Pollack was able to capture the set up to the live performance, taking you behind the scenes backstage with the gospel choir group that would back up Aretha. There is no rest as Aretha steps right in and goes for the classic hymns and original soul gospel compositions, only to pause when James Cleveland asks for a water break. As night one closes, Cleveland states that the closing number needs no introduction, leaving Franklin into a soul rising rendition of Amazing Grace. Night Two sees a bigger crowd in the audience including gospel singer Clara Ward, who inspired Aretha, and Rolling Stones front man Mick Jagger. Aretha’s father reverend C.L Franklin makes a speech about his daughter being rooted in gospel music. Seeing the bigger audience James Cleveland tells them to let the camera capture their emotions: we see more audience members get up and start dancing to the songs. 

    Amazing Grace is a musical and spiritual power-house of a documentary film. You will leave the theatre on a high not only from the spiritual nature of this film, but as well the soul and gospel music of Aretha Franklin. Her music is a spiritually transcendent experience. You even get to see Rolling Stones front man Mick Jagger losing himself in this musical journey. 

4/5 Stars

Luca Caruso-Moro

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LOCAL

Two new cases of measles have been reported in Montreal,

Health officials ask that anyone who may have contracted the highly contagious virus receive medical attention.

Early indicators of measles include cold and flu symptoms and white spots inside the mouth, rashes on the face and body come next.

Untreated, measles can cause pneumonia and brain inflammation.

LIST OF POSSIBLE CONTACT ZONES:

- Des Sources high school, 2900 Lake Street, on May 11 between 12:00 and 1:05 p.m.

- Tim Hortons, 3760 Sources Boulevard, on May 11, between 12:25 and 13:35 p.m.

- Royal Bank, 4400 Sources Boulevard, on May 11, between 12:15 and 13:25 p.m.

- Manju Beauté, a beauty salon, 3637 Sources Boulevard, on May 11, between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.

- The Courtyard Marriott Hotel, 7000 Place Robert-Joncas in Saint-Laurent, on May 12 between 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

- Les Aventuriers daycare at 196 Bates Road, in Outremont, on May 14 between 4:30 and 5:35 p.m.

Compiled by the CBC

NATIONAL

DWIGHT BALL “The people of our province want to see hard work, they want to see partnership, and they want to see humility. It is a great honour to be the premier of Newfoundland and Labrador.”

Dwight Ball will serve his second term as premier of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Liberals secured a minority victory in Thursday night’s provincial election.

That means the conservatives will remain the official opposition. They say Ball shouldn’t get too comfortable.

CHES CROSBIE “Where with this end up? It will not end up with Dwight Ball as premier of Newfoundland in one year from now.”

Thats Conservative leader Ches Crosbie has vowed to form a coalition with the 3 NDP and 2 independent MPPs which could split the provincial seat count in half.

That’s assuming all the NDP candidates hold their position.

The New Democrats beat the liberals in one riding by just 5 votes, inciting a recount.  

More to on that in the coming days.

INTERNATIONAL

Same sex marriage is now legal in Taiwan.

Same sex couples are now able to join in what are being called “legal unions,’ which is not the same as heterosexual marriage.

The main difference is that same-sex couples will be restricted from certain tax, insurance and adoption opportunities available to heterosexual couples.  

This bill will be the first of its kind in Asia