It was a major night for metal as the sold-out Beanfield Theatre welcomed Be’lakor, the Australian melodic death metal giant. Demand was so high that the show had to be moved to a larger venue, and still every ticket was sold.
The opening band was Frostbite, a local melodic death metal act. Their music carried a dark atmosphere filled with haunting melodies, and both guitarists traded impressive riffs that energized the crowd for the heavy evening ahead. Frostbite is an excellent addition to the Montreal scene. If you enjoy fast riffs, touches of black metal, and a classic melodeath sound, they are well worth following. I really enjoyed their performance and urge you to check out this great local talent.
Next was Solemn Vision from New York, delivering modern melodic metal with a blend of clean and screamed vocals. Their set was full of engaging riffs that balanced softer melodies with heavy passages. The bass player stood out with his furious fingerwork on a five-string, weaving in slap elements, while the dual guitar solos were sharp and memorable. The frontman’s mix of piercing screams and smooth clean singing gave their performance a strong presence. They proved to be an excellent lead-in for Be’lakor, offering a modern American take while keeping true to the progressive melodic death metal theme of the night.
By the time Be’lakor took the stage, the packed Beanfield was electric. As the lights dimmed, fans erupted into chants, and the energy never let up. The audience clapped and sang along to every song, fueling the atmosphere. Though I had only limited familiarity with the band going in, the energy of the room and the strength of their performance drew me in immediately. I found myself in the pit with the rest of the crowd, completely immersed in the experience.
Everything you hope for in a metal performance was present: harsh, aggressive riffs, melodic interludes, intricate guitar work, and a crowd fully engaged, dancing, moshing, and crowd surfing to the powerful rhythms.
I was not familiar with Be’lakor before the show, but I was not disappointed. Their performance quickly won me over, and after experiencing their melodies and musicianship firsthand, I left as a lifelong fan.
Jason Maher
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