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Endings are never easy for anyone. People get hurt, ego's get bruised. It's usually a trying time for everyone involved. This one is no different.

I learned, as many others have, that Toronto's very own, and likely Canada's best thrash band is coming to end. The mighty crushing Rammer, will be no more. Sad news for metal fans, and a great loss to the Canadian scene.

I come to this with mixed feelings. I'm not close enough to the band to fully understand what internal dynamics spearheaded the decision. And while I'm a big metal fan, i've never defined myself as a "metal guy". I liked Rammer for their sound and their live performances. I liked Rammer for my all too infrequent chats mostly with Al, Dave and Phil

To me Rammer was the definition of a live performance. Shit, this was r-a-w stuff. Raw live performance with no pretentious bullshit, no fake saccharine sweet induced overpackaging that so many bands do. Rammer got on a stage and did what it does best, flatten, shred, rip, burn and destroy. The stage presence seemed like second nature to me, it;s like they didnt have to work at it. It just happened. Like a well oiled machine with the parts fitting and rolling. Yet this all happened without any hint of being staged. Precious and few these are.

As a photographer, Rammer was a bonanza for me. Energy intense stage performance always make good copy, and I've never been disapointed with my end results. I got to capture one of the truly great bands to be around. I feel privileged.

But in the end, i'm just a fan. I followed Rammer around because I truly like them. Even if I didn't know them a bit, even if I wasnt doing photo work with them, I'd still be there, because they are that good.

As a fan, I have to accept this end. I hope to stay in touch with these guys, and see them go onto other projects. As a fan and supporter, I'm sad this is the end.

Long live Rammer!

photo tribute 2006 - 2008