Ken Mode

Since forming in 1999, Winnipeg, Manitoba’s KEN ("Kill Everyone Now”) Mode have waged a slow war of musical attrition against the notion that Canada’s metallic salad days are past. After the release of initial volley Mongrel, on Escape Artist Records, the three-piece have returned with Reprisal, which distils the hostility, aggression, abrasion and fury of these metallic noise rock theorists to unprecedented levels of damage.

"The concept behind Reprisal revolves around the definition of the word. We thought it summed up the overall feeling of the lyrical content, as well as the severity of the music,” says guitarist/vocalist Jesse Matthewson. Despite being one of Canada’s premier aggressive units, few outside of their country, or inside, for that matter, know they name. "I think the main thing Winnipeg has done is stifled our ability to tour and network with international touring acts,” Jesse says. "Since the closest worthwhile cities to play are seven-plus hours away, you need to save a fair amount of money to even think about touring. That coupled with the fact that post-secondary education keeps getting in the way means we don’t get out much. I’d imagine that if we toured more, our name would be a lot more recognisable.” Look for that to change in October.