Eyehategod | Blank/Shoplift | Montreal, Quebec

"We got RUSH fucking CRANKED in the van! Wish us luck!" Eyehategod front man, Mike IX, updates me via text as the band approaches the US/Canadian border. It's January. 8, 2018 and the New Orleans four-piece are white knucklin' through a blizzard towards Montréal.

Late the night before, they got news that Zakk Wylde of Black Label Society would be postponing a few shows due to severe illness. It's a minor setback for the band, but come hell or high water, they're determined to clear customs and play a couple shows in Canada without BLS.

Felony charges and jail time have prevented Mike from entering the country in the past, but if all goes well, this will be EHG's first time on Canadian soil in their 30 year career.

"Foufs tonight with CoC (Corrosion of Conformity). Spread the word please! We're still at the border and waiting to get into Canada," replies Mike, when I ask how they are making out at Canadian customs.

Moments later, another message from Mike lights up my phone. "I'm in!"

After a 3 hour interrogation at customs, Mike "IX" Williams, Jimmy Bower, Gary Mader and Aaron Hill are en route to Montréal. Meanwhile, my video crew and I are kicked back at Foufounes Électriques, getting ready to shoot video of the Eyehategod set. A few hundred restless fans stand in line, and one guy tells me he's had time to drink 5 beers while waiting impatiently... At last, the door opens and folks stagger through and up the stairs; a hardcore blue-ooze fuelled evening awaits.

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Audio Engineer: Justin Sinotte

Camera operators: Landyn McIntosh, Jason Duchene & Dan GRZ

a Raw Cut Media/Imagine 360 production

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