REVIEW BY: SCOTT BOCCACCIO | KITTIE PHOTOS BY: JOHN BOYER

The first band to take the stage was Bonded by Blood from Pomona, Ca. Borrowing their name from an Exodus album we knew we were in for a treat. Touring in support of their upcoming 3rd release on earache records due to be released July 3rd entitled “the Aftermath”. Relatively new front man Mauro Gonzalez led the crowd through a fast faced, albeit short set of thrash metal. The band was in awe of the small crowd and how they were getting into their music. If Bonded by Blood has anything to say, thrash will make its way back.

Next up was Montreal’s Blackguard. We had just received notice that The Agonist was unable to make it across the border for the show, but we were not let down by their Canadian contemporaries. They brought their own brand of melodic death metal and left the synths behind this time. Guitarist Terry “Roadcase” Deschenes and frontman Paul “Ablaze” Ziney wowed the crowd as they rifer and bellowed through songs from their newest release “firefight” as well as songs from their back catalog.

Finally, it was time for the headliners Kittie. A band led by two sisters (Morgan on guitar and vocals and Mercedes on the drums) once again sported and all female lineup. The crowd was in it from the beginning as they were here to play songs in support of their latest release 2011’s “I’ve Failed You” as well as all of the favorites. The band matured since I saw them last in 2001, hey relied less on a shocking look and more on the music. More tame were the outfits and more attention was spent on the music. The ladies of Kittie seemed to be having more fun on stage and the crowd took notice as they seemed to eat up the energy. Morgan addressed and encouraged the crowd to enjoy themselves as much as they were on stage. The crowd obliged. Hightlights of the set were two of their original big songs “spit” and “brackish”

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TOUR DATES :

4/14/12 Portage, IN @ Camelot Hall
4/15/12 Waterloo, IA @ Spicoli’s Grill
4/16/12 Peoria IL @ Brass Rail
4/17/12 Milwaukee, WI @ Rave
4/18/12 St Paul, MN @ Station 4
4/19/12 Winnipeg, MB @ Park Theatre
4/20/12 Regina, SK @ The Exchange
4/21/12 Edmonton, AL @ Pawn Shop
4/22/12 Prince George, BC @ The Generator
4/23/12 Vancouver, BC @Red Room
4/24/12 Seattle WA El @ Corazon
4/25/12 Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theatre
4/26/12 San Francisco, CA @ The Grand Ballroom
4/27/12 Anaheim, CA @ The Grove
4/28/12 Bakersfield, CA @ Jerry’s
4/29/12 Las Vegas, NV @ Cheyenne Saloon
4/30/12 Salt Lake City, UT @ Vertigo
5/1/12 Englewood, CO @ Moe’s
5/2/12 Albuquerque, NM @ Sunshine Theater
5/3/12 Odessa, TX @ Dos Amigos
5/4/12 Dallas, TX @ Trees
5/5/12 Houston, TX @ Scout Bar
5/6/12 Tyler, TX @ Clicks
5/7/12 Oklahoma City, OK @ The Roxy
5/8/12 Tulsa, OK @ Marquee
5/9/12 Kansas City, MO @ The Beaumont Club
5/10/12 St Louis, MO @ The Firebird
5/11/12 Joliet, Il @ Mojoes
5/12/12 Detroit, MI @ Blondie’s
5/13/12 Cleveland, OH @ Peabody’s
5/14/12 West Springfield, VA @ Jaxx
5/15/12 Baltimore, MD @ Soundstage
5/16/12 New York, NY @ The Gramercy Theatre
5/17/12 Hampton Beach, NH @ Wallys Pub
5/18/12 Worcester, MA @ Tammany Hall
5/19/12 Boston, MA @ Middle East Downstairs
5/20/12 Auburn, ME @ Club Texas
5/21/12 Montreal, QUE @ FouFounes
5/22/12 Ottawa, ON @ Mavericks
5/23/12 Hartford, CT @ Webster Theater
5/24/12 Trenton, NJ @ Championship Bar and Grill
5/25/12 Providence, RI @ The Ruins at Coliseum
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LINKS:

KITTIE :

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BLACKGUARD :

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BONDED BY BLOOD :

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