While hordes of Montrealers and visiting Yanks were donning cowboy hats and boots, headed to Ile-Ste-Helene for Lasso, a few thousand chose black t-shirts and rock horns and headed north to Laval for some fun metal things. I was one of them.
Los Angeles-based Holywatr were the first offering to the metal gods, which I’m pretty sure is now just Ozzy. They got the sparse early crowd going with their seamless blend of progressive riffs, heavy grooves, and dynamic vocals. Frontman Holy has a unique presence, like a cult leader, but a fun cult with lots of Kool-Aid. Paired with the band’s tight instrumentation, it created an electrifying atmosphere. Songs like “Lip Service,” and “Loose Ends,” showcased their ability to shift between melodic brightness and guttural screams, captivating new fans with each note. Their moody, high-energy performance set a bold tone, proving Holywatr is a rising force in metalcore.
You’d think a band from Alabama might’ve gotten lost on their way to Lasso, but ERRA were in the right spot. ERRA delivered a set very reminiscent of early Architects shows. Absolutely brutal harshes, effortlessly blended with captivating ethereal melodies. “Gore of Being,” will get stuck in your head.
I was particularly impressed by the guitars though. There are some riffs in here that remind me of 90s metal. From the opening riff of “Cure,” I was immediately reminded of watching Dimebag Darrell or White Zombie. This band is definitely one to watch as they could take a very similar path to success as our headliners.
Last time Architects graced our city, it was a two-night stint at MTelus and my review said this act was ready for arenas. They even had the stage set up ready, double-decker stage with two giant screens flooding your seeing devices with psychedelic awesomeness.
So here we are, prophecy fulfilled, at Place Bell, with a no-frills stage, a simple drum riser and a black banner with ARCHITECTS in white in the plainest font imaginable. My seeing devices are underwhelmed. Luckily, my ears are not.
The kings of Brit metalcore hit the stage hard with “Elegy,” “Whiplash,” and “When We Were Young.” A trifecta of neck injury-inducing bangers that had the pit in a state. Hats off to guitarist Adam Christianson who went full chic for the occasion in a cut-off Canadian tuxedo. We see you, good sir.
Stage theatrics or not, frontman Sam Carter is a powerhouse. His cleans and gutturals are equally face-melting. He has the stage swagger and bounce of a British Fred Durst. Frederick Durstingham, if you will. For all the haters, I mean that as the highest of praise.
“Curse,” “Doomsday,” and “Royal Beggars,” had everyone on their feet. “Everything Ends,” had the fireflies out and waving side to side. I’m pretty sure the guy behind me had a religious epiphany during “Brain Dead,” which saw Carter perform both his parts as well as the House of Protection parts.
The crazy opening beat to “Blackhole,” challenged everyone to find whatever energy they had left and translate it into movement, preferably circular if you were on the floor. The crowd barely had enough left to chant “Ole” as the band left for backstage tea and crumpets.
They didn’t leave us waiting for long. Two blue lights scanned the crowd with weird robot noises. The arena was then flooded with red light for “Seeing Red.” Apparently, two minutes was enough for the crowd to recover as they lost their minds and started the traditional “Ole’s” a song late.
They sent us home screaming “We’re just a bunch of f@cking animals.” But we were happy animals, like dogs who’d just gotten their favourite treat. That treat was metal.
In fact, I’ll say this. I had an epiphany. Three great metal bands in Montreal in mid-August… when you have the festival stages up, Evenko. A few more bands and we could have the makings of, dare I say, a festival. Have you noticed that the abbreviation of Montreal is Mtl? That’s very “metal.” Call me, Evenko, let’s make this happen!
Review – Richard Brunette
Photos – Andres Amaya
