September 15, 2022

STUDENTS VOTE TO STRIKE

Student associations prepare to strike for a fall reading week

the break will only begin in the summer term of 2023.

with different associations to coordinate the strike.

In Issue:this

BY HANNAH TIONGSON Co-News Editor

Various members of the associations (MAs) are holding their respec tive Annual General Meet ings (AGM) throughout this week, voting on whether or not to participate in a one-week-long student strike for a fall reading week. Several student associa

tions, part of the Arts and Science Federation Association (ASFA),, will come together on Oct. 3 to 7 to picket classes if the mandate is passed .

Unlike other universi ties across Quebec, Concor dia does not have a reading week during the fall semes ter. The university announced in 2021 its plan to imple ment a 12-week term and a fall reading week. However,

During the MA retreat last May, ASFA executives took it upon themselves to plan a student strike and shared their plans with other associations .

Following numerous conver sations amongst the different associations and the ASFA team at the retreat, the Urban Planning Association (UPA) was the first student group to hold an AGM on August 15th and get the mandate to strike .

According to Torben Laux, president of UPA, ASFA is working closely

“At the moment, they’re going to be setting up a little package on how to strike how to picket. Students will not come to classes. No assignments are allowed to be submitted, and no quizzes are allowed to be handed out,” explained Laux.

It’s a lot of work, but I think it’s really exciting, espe cially after two years of doing not much. I think it will give younger students a really great opportunity to live through a strike. So, I think it will make people feel really empowered,” Laux added.

Ashley Torres, mobiliza tion coordinator for ASFA, also expressed her frustra

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

BY SIMON FEISTHAUER FOURNET Assistant News Editor

Last weekend, Space Concordia (SC) competed in the 2022 edition of the Euro pean Rover Challenge (ERC), an international space and robotics event based on reallife scenarios from European Space Agency and NASA missions. The event is centred around technological develop ments for space exploration, the ultimate goal of the ERC being to eventually become a benchmark and test trial for planetary robotic activities.

The competition allows teams from all over the world to present their mobile robot designs and compete against each other.

SC is dedicated to the devel opment of space technology and is organized into four divisions: robotics, rock etry, spacecraft and space health. The student organi zation was founded in 2010 and has since grown to over 150 members at Concordia.

From Sept. 9 to 11, the Robotics team travelled to Kielce, Poland, to test out its own Rover robot in a

COMMUNITY

A bright future lies ahead baseballConcordia’sforteam

Pg. 3

Stingers’ football looking to get back on track in homecomingupcoming game Pg. 4

Martian-like environment.

This year’s ERC was held

on the world’s largest arti ficial Martian track in the Kielce University of Tech nology. Eleven people from

Space Concordia joined the competition in-person.

The team ran into some complications that limited

the amount of time they had to assemble the Rover. This prevented the team from completing one of the four tasks they had set out to do: naviga tion, maintenance, science and collection and probing.

“The assembly was frantic but we did it,” said Philippe Fernie, mechanical co-lead for the Robotics team. “We got the Rover at three o’clock on Friday which was the first day of competition and every one got together to assem ble it. We got it done within four hours, which is very fast.”

The team still managed to go through three of the ERC challenges. The various tasks included trying out a hypothesis they wanted to test in a Martian environment and manoeu vring the Rover to put probes into the soil and scoop out dirt to conduct some tests. These exercises allowed the robot ics team to practice with their Rover in real-life conditions.

“It really helped the team too, I think, to see if the Rover could actually perform the tasks

and be out in an actual compe tition environment rather than just seeing it go around the University,” said William Wells, the technical lead and software co-lead from the Robotics team.

Wells explained that each year, the ERC changes the artificial Martian track to model a different type of location on Mars.

“This year it was a volca nic location [...] it was really cool to actually see it and get to put a Rover out there and drive around,” Wells said.

After the stress of the competition, the team is tired yet happy to have had the opportunity to attend the ERC and practice their skills.

“It was an incredible expe rience actually getting to go to a competition in person because most of us on the team never got to go to an in-person competition since the pandemic,” said Wells.

← The rover built by Space Concordia for this year’s European Rover Challenge. COURTESY SPACE CONCORDIA

A BALL GAME

BY ALICE MARTIN | Assistant Sports Editor

After a season-opening 6-3 win against the McGill Redbirds on Sept. 6 at Pierre Elliot Trudeau Park, the Concordia Stingers and their head coach Howie Schwartz are optimis

tic about their upcoming season and their future in varsity baseball.

This year, the Sting ers will be compet ing against teams from the Ontario Univer sity Athletics (OUA), as well as other Quebec universities who are trying out for a poten tial new league for the 2023-24 season with the Réseau du sport étudi ant du Québec (RSEQ).

“We have four teams now: Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, McGill, Concordia, and University of Montreal. Bishop’s is going to be available next year, and then we’ll have an official league. We’re playing those three teams unoffi cially on a sixteen-game schedule and in the OUA on a sixteen-game sched ule,” said Schwartz.

The coach also expressed a lot of satisfaction and confidence in his team, which is mostly made up of rookies.

“Our team is just much stron ger defensively. We’ve had three games so far and our defence has picked up considerably from

last year. I still want to see some improvement with our hitting, but even [that] has strengthened.”

Out of a roster of 40, only about 12 are returning from the 2021-22 season. However, Schwartz noticed that the rookies have been acclimating nicely to the program. Due to his heavy recruitment efforts in the off-season, some of those recruits came from as far as B.C. to play for the Stingers.

Catcher Mack Lake, a first-year student in economics from B.C., said he wanted to stay in Canada to play baseball in university. His first meeting with Schwartz cemented his decision to come to Concordia.

“Howie was just wonderful. Talking to him was really nice and I felt like he wanted me to come,” said Lake, a baseball player for almost a decade.

“Most of all, on the mound, we have a much stronger and deep pitch ing staff, and, at this level, pitch ing is going to make a difference. I’m very pleased with our pitch ers this year,” continued Schwartz.

Against McGill, such a bullpen was beneficial to the team. Due to a rotation of five talented pitchers, the Redbirds’ batting lineup could never get used to any one of them. But that same bull pen will be stretched thinner as they prepare for an intense week ahead.

The Stingers will be facing the Redbirds for the third time this season on Sept. 20.

“They’re surely going to be ready for us. They don’t like losing to us and we don’t like losing to them,” said Schwartz with a chuckle.

On Sept. 12, the Stingers played an exhibition game against the John Abbott College Island ers that resulted in a 10-8 win for Concor dia. The Stingers will be headed to Trois-Rivières for an exhibition doubleheader against Collège Laflèche on Saturday, while their next Carletonintakedouble-headerleaguewillplaceonSundayOttawaagainstUniversity.

Stingers player Miguel Garofalo (#24) takes first base.

CATHERINE REYNOLDS/THE CONCORDIAN

Pictured: Corrin Chapeskie (#14).

CATHERINE REYNOLDS/THE CONCORDIAN

STINGERS’ FOOTBALL HOPES TO GET BACK ON TRACK

The football team wants to redeem itself after a tough first couple of games.

BY MARIA BOUABDO | Sports Editor

After a season-opening

6-With a difficult start to the season and an early bye week, the Concordia Stingers are looking to bounce back in their homecoming game against the

McGill Redbirds on Saturday.

The Stingers played their last game on Sept. 3 at Sherbrooke and fell 23-24 to the Vert & Or. Concordia is currently 0-2 on the season and ranked before last in the confer ence, in the Réseau du Sport Étudiant du Québec (RSEQ).

Stingers’ quarterback Oliv ier Roy said that this bye week was mostly about focusing on the mental aspect of the game.

“The only thing we want to do is get back on the field and get a chance to redeem ourselves,” he said.

But with bye week, it was a long two weeks without games, so the Stingers wanted to make sure everyone was still focused.

“Our execution level has to be better than what it was for our first two games,” Roy said, which is something they work on by practicing. “One of the good things about bye weeks is that you get a head start on your opponent when they’re still focusing on the game they have [that] week.”

Roy added that they were already looking at McGill film last week while the Redbirds

were still preparing for their game against Sherbrooke.

Something the team is looking to improve on is to start the game at a faster pace, and to play through out the entire 60 minutes.

The Stingers had a better start in their second game scor ing first, but they emphasized the need to play a full game.

Head coach Brad Collinson said the message over the past two weeks has been to “play Concordia foot ball the way we know we can play,” which is something he

Regardless, student associ ations have decided to gather and raise their concerns.

Another group that recently passed a motion to strike last Friday is the Geography Under grad Student Society (GUSS) is working with UPA to spread the word about the upcoming strike by sending out emails and preparing flyers.

Liv

said they haven’t done yet.

Collinson added that bye weeks are never really fun but they are an opportunity to improve.

“We think we got better during the week… we prac ticed three times, we cleaned up some things,” he said.

“We have to go out there and have fun and have a plea sure being out there on the football field. Guys spend a lot of work for this, we just want them to have fun and be loose,” Collinson concluded.

what we know is right and what should be happening, and just holding the university account able for things that haven’t taken place,” said Aspend.

tion with the university .

“There’s no point for us to really wait that extra year… due to the pandemic, the past few years have been extremely difficult and challenging for students, especially [regard ing] our mental health, and

we deserve a long week break for classes,” said Torres.

In a written statement sent to The Concordian, Concor dia explained the delay in implementing the break.

“Schedules for the full univer sity are usually made a few years in advance, and tran sitioning from a 13-week to

12-week term is a significant adjustment for programs that have designed their curricu lum around a 13-week course, especially programs that are subject to accreditation rules.

Given this, we are now doing the academic planning, train ing, logistics, and providing support and resources to faculty to ensure a successful transition to 12-week terms as of Summer 2023,” read the statement.

off. We’re going to be striking, and we’re going to

Pictured: Torben Laux, president of the Urban Planning Student Association. THOMAS VAILLANCOURT/THE CONCORDIAN

CATHERINE REYNOLDS/THE CONCORDIAN

Montreal events roundup Septemberfor2022

BY DALIA NARDOLILLO | Community Editor Community

Septembers in Montreal are known for pleasant weather and the nonstop events that occur during the entire month.

The best part about living in this city is that what ever you’re into, there’s surely an event for you.

Here are five events that you should check out this month.

First on the list is the World Press Photo Exhibition, for all the shutterbugs out there. Currently underway at the Bonsecours Market in the Old Port, this event launched on Aug. 31 and runs until Oct. 2.

Among the photographs on display is the winner of the World Press Photo of the Year 2022 — Amber Brack en’s Kamloops Residential School. General admission for the exhibition is $15.

If you want a change in scen ery, visit the Gardens of Light at the Montreal Botanical Gardens from Sept. 2 until Oct. 31. Here you can witness nature in all its glory right in front of your eyes.

You can take a walk through the Chinese, Japanese and First Nations gardens and admire the lanterns that line them. The price of this event ranges from $11 to $22.

Next up, calling all tattoo lovers! The Montreal Art Tattoo Show is taking place at the Windsor Station from Sept. 16 - 18. The event brings tattoo artists from all over the world together. Interested visi tors can book appointments directly with the artists through Instagram or Facebook. The general entrance fee is $25.

The 18th edition of the Montreal International Black Film Festival is taking place from Sept. 20 - 25 in cinemas across the Quartier des specta cles, near Place-des-Arts. This showcase is the only officially bilingual Black film festival of its kind in North America. Information regarding differ ent venues and prices can be found on the event’s website.

Finally, for something truly unique, visit the MAPP_MTL festival, kicking off on Sept. 21 and wrapping up on Sept. 25. This event is completely free and will take place in Mile End and the Quartier des specta cles. Expect performances by v arious artists, like VJ SUAVE.

This duo from brazil, had the idea of putting a projector in their bicycle and as they pedal, their creations will appear on the wall. They will be perform ing on Sept. 17. accompanied by fascinating projections.

Five events that won’t break the bank.

THOMAS VAILLANCOURT/THE CONCORDIAN

Opinions

What is it notes?aestheticallywithpleasing

Are they really worth the time and energy?

BY JOELLE JALBERT | Opinions Editor

Whether you love it or hate it, backto-school season is here. This also means that back-to-school content is flooding your Pinterest, YouTube, Instagram and TikTok accounts.

Although I love a good “tips and tricks” guide on how to be successful in school, I can’t help but notice it’s always the same advice, given by the same Type A people.

Getting ready to go back to school now is not just about making sure your pencil is sharpened, but also ensuring that all aspects of your life are in order before beginning this new chapter.

You have to clean out your work space, test out all your pens, buy new supplies, have healthy break fast and lunch ideas ready, all to guar antee an even better student lifestyle.

Having your life organized makes sense to start the new school year, but why do we often feel the need to be so aesthetic in our organization?

In this digital age, a digital cleanse of all our unneeded docu ments, photos, contacts, etc., on all our devices is also necessary.

Speaking of devices, the iPad-fornote-taking craze is upon us. Maybe I’m late to the trend but I have to admit I tried it last year and it really has changed my life for the better.

My back is thanking me for carry ing just a small tablet that contains all my readings and notes for five classes.

You could tell me that since people have been typing notes on their laptops for years now, what’s so special about the iPad? Well, let me tell you, the iPad has an aesthetic that the laptop doesn’t.

As someone who always liked to doodle, highlight and annotate my readings, I can do that with my iPad and still feel the satisfaction of writing on a good old piece of paper — almost.

I’m not the only iPad note-taker who will advocate for this; it’s what all the studying content online will tell you, too.

Whether it’s on their tablet or in a notebook, the experts in note-tak ing all have one thing in common: their notes are aesthetically pleasing.

But does looking at pretty notes really equal better studying?

In a study conducted by neurobiolo gists Tomohiro Ishizu and Semir Zeki, subjects were presented with visual art while they listened to music. They would then rate the songs and art pieces in order to measure whether their brain activity changed or increased once put in contact with stimuli they considered “beautiful.”

The study found that when look ing at something they found beau tiful, brain activity intensified for the subjects, including increased blood-flow in the medial orbito-fron

tal cortex, which has been associated with reward, pleasure and judgment.

So on top of just finding them pretty, looking at aesthetically-pleas ing notes might give us a sense of accomplishment and reward, but this does not automatically mean we will retain information better.

A lot of the time, aesthetically pleasing notes are more than just pretty; they’re organized, detailed and colour-coded — all of which helps people to review the material better.

On the flip side, you can have detailed, organized and well-struc tured notes without them being aesthetically pleasing.

So why does all the study ing content we see online have such a focus on aesthetics?

After reading the aforemen tioned study I realized that for me, it might be to feel a little sense of control in what seems like an over whelming challenge: university.

Even though I know deep down that it doesn’t do anything for me academically, I will continue to try my best at calligra phy and highlighting my sub-titles this semester just to make me feel better.

BY LILY BLANKENSHIP Contributor

The 2022 World Press Photo Exhibition, which opened at Montreal’s Marché Bonsecours last week, deliv ers solidly on the organi zation’s diversity mandate.

Founded in 1955, the World Press Photo Foundation hosts an annual photography competition which, accord ing to their website, encour ages “diverse accounts of the world that present stories with different perspectives.”

The photos are excellent, and the range of styles is breathtak ing. Some images appear to be simple reportage of extraordi nary situations, while others are far from basic in their highly stylized approach. Boundar ies between reporting and art aren’t blurred, they’re gone.

A photo of Indigenous Australians burning under growth in the West Arnhem Region is composed like a Jean-François Millet paint ing. A man wearing a gas mask, shot in extreme close-up, looks a lot like a Mapplethorpe model in rubber fetish wear.

It takes a few minutes to see past the surface of these images, hung from wires in the cavern ous gallery, and even longer to grasp any sort of context.

Explanations are required, as well as time to process them in the presence of the pictures.

Captions help, but cannot compensate for the limita tions imposed by the space.

Event organizers have included caption panels in the instal lation, written in English and French, placed at both ends of each photo series.

This seems like a gener ous invitation to approach a grouping from either side. The effect, however, is a lack of flow which approaches chaos when the gallery fills up.

Large-scale photographs face each other across narrow aisles. Even during off-peak hours, people back into each other trying to take it all in. Viewing an image from multiple perspectives requires strategic planning.

The room is impressive but seems to have more verti cal space than actual floor space for patrons. Linger ing to contemplate, or to read, is often not an option.

Overall, the content of the show is the usual suspects of journalism: unfortunate people

in regions of conflict, marginal ized people whose voices have been muted, people of colour suffering unspeakable grief.

There is an odd beauty to these pictures. The photographers lure us with their art, draw ing us close enough to see the painful truth. It’s a gut punch, but a punch worth taking.

A visit to the gallery’s second floor might serve as a palate cleanser on the way out. Justine Latour’s lush collection of photos entitled Claire 107 Years Old showcases the beau tiful, ordinary life of Montreal resident Claire Sigouin.

Exhibition spokesper son Caroline Monnet’s brash and shiny exhibition Ikwewak (Women) portrays

Canadian First Nations women in a refreshing, delightfully complex light.

These scenes of content ment and optimism let some air into the room, but in no way diminish its solem nity. The show is beauti ful, but uncomfortably real.

World Press Photo Exhibi tion runs daily until October 2, Sunday to Wednesday, 10am to 10pm, Thursday to Satur day 10am to midnight. Regu lar admission: $15, students: $12, 12 years and under: free. Early or late weekday visits recommended to avoid crowds.

Marche Bonsecours, 325 de la Commune East (Champs-de-Mars Metro)

BY JEREMY COX | Assistant Arts Editor

Native Montreal is a non-profit organization offer ing free language classes to the community starting Sept. 19, prioritising Indige nous students but open to all.

The organization was founded in 2014 to contribute to the well-being of Indigenous families and members of the greater Tiohtià:ke/Montreal area. It offers different services ranging from wellness and health to cultural activities, with the objective of self-determi nation all while advocating for Indigenous ways of knowing.

Language coordinator and First Peoples Studies student at

Concordia Sarah Paul discussed her role in the organization with The Concordian. She is from the W̱SÁNEĆ nation, located in what is known as Victoria, BC.

“Indigenous language classes haven’t been widely available in the past. I believe now is a time for reclama tion and revitalization for Indigenous people,” she said.

She notes a current renewal of Indigenous languages across Canada. “We see people creat ing classes and new education systems.” For instance, the University of Victoria started a year-long diploma program focusing entirely on Indige

nous language revitalization. What is unique about Native Montreal is that their classes are entirely free to the public and are not governed by university guidelines.

Paul coordinates Indigenous language classes, such as Inuk titut, Innu, Abenaki, Anishi naabemowin, Kanien’kéha, and just recently Atikamekw, while hoping to expand to the teaching of Cree among other languages. One of her goals is to focus on theenousmoreTiohtià:ke/Montreal’sgettingyouthinvolvedinlearningIndiglanguages.Shenotesthatmajorityofpeopleattend

ing classes are in their 20s, while few youths attend events.

Being a student in the First Peoples Studies program helped her connect with Indig enous communities from differ ent places across Canada and even in the US, as well as with students, teachers, and elders.

Paul noted that “It’s crucial when you’re working within a community program. You have to have those connec tions. It’s a huge part of our identity and it goes a long way to helping us make programs for the community.”

“In that respect, it’s helped me, and being able

to study every day about the current political and social issues also helps to navigate my role as a language program provider,” she added. “I look at language as a reflection of identity, and for us, as Indig enous people, it is a huge part of our identity that we lost, and reclaiming that is of course another huge part of getting back in touch with that.”

“It’s not just about grammar, it’s about identity, it’s about our culture, and there’s so much intertwined in language itself that you can’t learn a language without talking about the culture and about the land.”

People visit the World photo expo, at Marche Beausecours. The Photo on the left is taken by Amber Bracken this years prize winner of the year.

KAITLYNN RODNEY/THE CONCORDIAN

Music

with me the most. There are so many layers and tempo switches to this track that it makes you sit on the edge of your seat for its entire duration.

BAD HABIT | STEVE LACY

EDITIONSUMMERREPEAT:ON

Whether it was on TikTok or on the radio, this song was inescapable over the summer, and for good reason. With “Bad Habit,” Steve Lacy crafted an indie pop anthem that contains arguably the catchiest chorus of the year.

BIG ASS BRACELET | WESTSIDE GUNN

The Flygod himself dropped perhaps the underground rap song of the year with “Big Ass Bracelet.” The soul sample used in the track is so mesmer ising that it took me at least ten listens to realize that he was saying something over this angelic drumless instrumental.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

Summer 2022 saw the birth of countless projects, some more memorable than others. Regardless, here are the songs I have been obsessed with for the past four months — hopefully you’ll discover something new here.

GUILLAUME LABERGE, MUSIC EDITOR

COUNT ME OUT | KENDRICK LAMAR

Of the many songs I could have chosen from Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, “Count Me Out” is the one that stuck

SUGAR/TZU BLACK MIDI DRAKE CHOP (NOUVELLE ÉCOLE) | FRESH SARO

ASSISTANTHARTOUNIAN,MUSICEDITOR

This summer brought about the release of many fantastic albums and singles (the new Kendrick record comes to mind), and I am pleased to showcase my favourite songs that were on repeat during my vacation to Gaspésie and Québec City!

AUNTIE DIARIES | KENDRICK LAMAR

This song moved me to tears. Honestly. Regardless of the heavy topic it explores, I would play this during late summer nights where the pad synths would envelop my room. If you haven’t checked out this song I highly recommend it for the lyrics and the crescendo up until the very end.

HYDROGEN | SIRINTIP

Sirintip did not disappoint with her new single! The acid drum machine over ethereal jazzy vocals . There’s at least three tracks for her voice: two panning left and right and one in the background whispering a response from the former two. I know this is an oxymoron but hear me out… think “upbeat lounge.”

MAGENTA MOUNTAIN | KING GIZZARD & THE LIZARD WIZARD

This song off King Gizzard’s Omnium Gatherum album was a must-listen through the summer months, especially for long drives. The Minimoog’s bass paired with the oriental melody gives off the feeling of a monastery way up in the moun tains. Shangri-La, anyone?

HONORABLE MENTIONS

TIPPA MY TONGUE | RED HOT CHILI WELCOMEPEPPERSTOHELL | BLACK

SHOTGUNMIDI | SOCCER MOMMY COMPLACENCY | TIDE RIDER LA RIVIÈRE | POMME

Concert Review: Rema at

Beachclub

BY GABRIELLE LAPERRIÈRE LEBLANC | Contributor

Beachclub was host to many talented artists and festivals this summer, such as Afro Beach, Tiësto, The Chainsmok ers and many others. On Sept. 10, one of the youngest and newest international sensation in the afrobeat genre, Rema, performed in Pointe-Calumet. Situated approximately 30 to 45 minutes away from Montreal, Beachclub is known to be a summer destination hot spot for many music lovers over the years, with events prom ising local and international artists in a tropical-like envi ronment. The location offers festival elements such as food and drink stands, as well as the possibility to enjoy the concert from the pool located onsite.

The event began at noon under beautiful sunny weather, where a DJ was already pres ent to start the party right away. Afrobeat songs soon filled the place, and Hatitian and French-speaking African clas sics got the crowd excited. Addi tionally, social media comedy sensation, Tai, appeared later that afternoon sporting the beloved oversized suit his social media persona wears as he made the crowd dance.

After a couple hours of partying, fans knew Rema was about to come out when the DJ started playing his signature catchphrase: “Another banger,” a line that the young artist used for the first time. when opening for his debut song “Dumebi.” “It takes a lot of confidence

to say ‘another banger’ in a debut track,” said Rema in a tweet the year of his debut.

At only 22 years old, Rema is one of the youngest success ful afrobeat acts to come out of Nigeria since Burna Boy and Wizkid, with whom he also shared a nomination for Best New International act back at the 2020 BET awards.

Rema started his set by teasing the crowd with the first notes of one of his most famous singles: “Soundgasm.” The song would only be played later when the chorus tore the metaphorical roof off the place

The young artist’s most popular songs were all played one after the other; “Dumebi,” “Beamer,” “Calm Down,” “Ginger Me,” “Woman,”

TRIAL TRACK IMMORTAL (FEAT. MIKE MCCREADY) RATING 8/10

BY SARO HARTOUNIAN Assistant Music Editor

September 9 saw the release of metal veteran Ozzy Osbourne’s latest album Patient Number 9. It is the thirteenth studio album in Osbourne’s port folio which is quite an whohimwithinhaslifethemePatientfromhisdespiteconcernsurgeryeringimpressivefeat,especiallyconsidhisrecenthealthissues.BesidesgettingdiagnosedwithCOVID-19inApril,heunderwentamajorneckinJunewhichbroughttohisfamilyandfans,hisrecovery.Whilehealthhasn’tstoppedhimperformingsuitablyonNumber9,thewholeoftheLPcentersonanddeath.MortalitycertainlystruckachordOsbourne,makingafarcryfromthemanusedtosnortantsand

bite heads off of birds for fun.

The album boasts a motley of features that are just as big as Ozzy in the music industry. Musicians like Eric Clapton, Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready,

“Corny,” and many more, prov ing that Rema’s unique tone of voice comes out even better in his live performances. His overall positive attitude could also be felt throughout the day, as the crowd continuously danced through the entirety of the event without stop ping: “At a Rema concert you dance!” said the artist. “You did not pay all this money to not have a party,” Rema added.

The stage presence, charisma and confidence of the Nigerian artist were palpable throughout his performance, a nice contrast with his attitude towards the end of the show when the DJ pointed out that Rema would be in the build ing for the rest of the event.

A truly enjoyable day is what Rema brought to Montrealers. His afro-fu sion, or new-wave afrobeat as he calls it, in contrast with the relaxing ambience of the beach made it an event

QUICK-SPINS

Black Label Society’s Zakk Wylde, and last but not least, Ozzy’s former Black Sabbath bandmate from Tony Iommi.

It was also quite emotional to see that the late Taylor Hawkins had tracked drums for a couple of songs, like “God Only Knows” along with Metalli ca’s Robert Trujillo on bass.

There are quite a few memo rable songs from this LP: “Parasite” with Zakk Wylde on guitar was quite a funky and upbeat song for Ozzy’s song writing tastes. The sixteenthbeat tambourine shakes were oddly reminiscent of Fall Out Boy, and even Britpop bands like Oasis and Republica.

McCready was featured on “Immortal” which happens to be my favourite track. The mixture of grunge guitar chug ging along with hard rock bass from Guns ‘n’ Roses Duff McKagan and funk rock drums from Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith created a best of both worlds track for my ears.

For a heavy metal artist, this latest release is heavily produced. The rhythm feels almost as if it is quantized (the process of moving notes in a music software to the exact time signature to make a beat sound perfectly in time) — so certain songs like “Para site” sounded way too digital and processed for my liking.

Regardless of the musi cality, several songs on the album didn’t feel like they were to Ozzy’s liking. Then again, you could just chalk it up to the evolution of a musi cian’s songwriting process!

not to miss. “Montreal feels like home,” the artist added.

Our Music Editors share thelisteningthey’vewhatbeentooversummer.

The heavy metal icon is back and better than ever, and this time he brought friends.

Nigerian artist Rema brought the afrorave fusion to Montrealers this past Saturday at Beachclub.