Toronto metal heads finally got their annual treat of the year recently with Rock the Boat 7. This year it showed up a little late because it was postponed due to mechanical problems with the boat about 2 months ago. That did not stop Neurotic Entertainment from making sure people got to party like rock stars this summer.

There were four bands on the bill and they all came out to make waves. We had The Devil’s Rejects, Oceans of Us, Xephyr and One in the Chamber. In fact, the boat was so packed that I had to use my fisheye lens to photograph this event. This was the most nautical concert that I have ever been to.

The Devil’s Rejects

The Devil’s reject are a Rob Zombie tribute band that plays both White Zombie as well as Rob Zombie material. The set list was filled with all the Zombie Classics. The guests were on their first drink and were stumbling around on the boat as the band rocked this tub well. The people were still getting use to their sea legs. I was really impressed with their last number which was Black Sabbath’s Children of the Grave. If you didn’t know this, White Zombie did a killer version of this song on the tribute album Nativity in Black back in 1994. That alone is worth the price to see this band live.

A Fisheye’s view of The Devil’s Rejects:

Ocean’s of Us

I have heard of this band and thought, what a strange name for a heavy band. As it turned out, the guitar player let me know the origin of the song. His Mother used to end all of her written letters with the phrase, Oceans of Love. Eventually this was spun into Oceans of Us, which I understood now. It seems to be a well-placed connection between the band and their fans giving everyone a sense of unity.

Now, this band is truly original with their hard rock/metal sound. It seems to be a blend of every band out heir and no bands at the same time.

It’s like making ass burning chili using everything in your fridge and cupboard all at the same time. Each song is like a spoonful of mystery ingredients.

It’s like riding a winding river and hearing Tarzan yelling and watching pirates as you turn each bend. It’s like getting the prize at the bottom of the stale box of pink popcorn.

This band is pushing boundaries and making it an uncomfortable ride. They are searching for lost chords and digging trenches of new music.

They told me they are having a release party soon and I hope for you seekers of original music you show up, because this is new territory for you to navigate.

A fisheye’s view of Oceans of us:

Xephyr

Xephyr is a hard-hitting band that slaps you in the face and challenges to stand toe to toe with them. It is like they released a pit bull to go for your groin. So if you like getting kicked between the legs, you should stand up to this band and face them.

The crowd really did face them as the boat swayed and their faces were almost touching at some points during their set. This was one packed boat, like a can of sardines as the band and audience had little wiggle room. It definitely made for an intimate evening of metal.

Their choice of a cover song went over really well. They pulled a classic grunge song from Alice in Chains called, “Dem Bones”. They continued their charge and pulled out a new song about a tool. This one was not too heavy and almost was a little friendlier. The new song is called, “Wrench”. It did kind of remind me of another song done by the Foo Fighters…Hmmm?

A Fisheye’s view of Xephyr:

One in the Chamber

As we were slowly pulling back into harbor, the Band One in the Chamber got on and proved to the crowd, this was the reason we are all here! Their style of heavy Macho rock got the crowd ready to slam it until the boat sank.

Well, the boat was gathering water as the band seemed to rip open the clouds with their sound. The rain came down in buckets and the party just got crazier. The electricity on the ship was so outstanding they blew the microphones, and the band played on. The audience didn’t care. They wanted the party to last forever.

Eventually, after a couple of songs the problem was fixed and the night finally exhausted itself.  It was an evening never to forget because as the boat rocked, we all tried to sink it and almost succeeded. The crowd stumbled off the boat knowing the Neurotic Entertainment is doing well in Toronto to bring you a Metal Massacre as often as possible.

A fisheye’s view of One in the Chamber: