Beartooth + The Plot in You + Invent Animate @ MTELUS▪

As the biting cold of a Montreal winter night enveloped the crowd outside MTELUS, the atmosphere inside was set ablaze by the progressive metalcore sounds of Invent Animate. Arriving just in time to catch their set, I was greeted by a barrage of intense riffs and intricate melodies in the sold-out venue. The Texan quintet wasted no time diving into their performance at 7:15 pm, setting the stage for a night of musical fervour.

Invent Animate’s setlist showcased the sonic depth of their latest album, Heavener. Tracks like “False Meridian,” “Shade Astray,” and “Sleepless Deathbed” reverberated through the venue, each note carving a path through the bone-chilling cold outside. The crowd responded with unbridled energy, feeding off the band’s raw intensity. A notable moment came when the lead singer took a moment to address the audience. Having played in Toronto the previous night, he expressed his appreciation for Montreal, declaring it to be the superior crowd (we knew it already, but it’s always nice to be reminded). A call to arms ensued as he rallied the audience, urging them to form a circle pit before launching into their final song, leaving an indelible mark on the Montreal leg of their tour.

As the clock struck 8 pm, the crowd at MTELUS was already buzzing with anticipation for The Plot in You, and the venue’s atmosphere was transformed by the prelude of John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” The iconic intro served as the gateway to a setlist that spanned the band’s evolving discography. The band kicked off their performance with the intense “Divide,” immediately showcasing the versatility that has defined their sound over the years. The setlist was a meticulously crafted journey through various eras of The Plot in You’s musical evolution.

Transitioning into 2021’s Swan Song, the band unleashed the intense energy of tracks like “Paradigm,” “Face Me,” and “Enemy.” The connection between the audience and the stage was palpable, a testament to the band’s ability to evoke emotion through their music. A moment of unity and crowd interaction arrived with “Forgotten,” when The Plot in You asked the audience to split the room, creating a unique atmosphere for the song. Following the emotionally charged “Enemy,” the lead singer expressed his joy at being back in Montreal, encouraging those who had never crowd-surfed to take the plunge.

The call for participation continued with a request for a circle pit during “Troll,” adding an extra layer of intensity to an already electric atmosphere. As the night reached its zenith, the crowd united in a resounding chorus, echoing the singer’s request to sing as loudly as possible. The emotive strains of “Feel Nothing” closed out The Plot in You’s set, leaving the audience in awe of the band’s powerful performance. With a seamless blend of old and new, The Plot in You delivered a masterful performance that showcased their growth as musicians and their ability to connect with an audience on a profound level.

As the clock approached 9:15 pm, the diverse crowd at MTELUS eagerly awaited the headlining act – Beartooth. The concert’s demographic spanned generations, from a mother with her child to an older gentleman and a multitude of attendees in their 20s to 40s. The unified chant of the “Ole Ole Ole” anthem, accompanied by the thunderous resonance of AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck,” set the stage for a night of musical intensity.

The lights dimmed, and Beartooth burst onto the stage with the infectious energy of “Sunshine!” The setlist unfolded as a sonic journey through their discography, seamlessly blending old favourites and tracks from their latest release, “The Surface.” The atmosphere crackled with each performance, from the anthemic “Bad Listener” to the guttural intensity of “Disease.” The crowd’s energy reached a pinnacle during “Devastation,” when Beartooth’s frontman, Caleb, asked them to thrust their horns into the air, uniting the venue in a sea of metal solidarity. The personal narrative took centre stage before the cover of The Killers’ “Mr. Brightside.” Caleb opened up about his struggles, reminding the crowd that the present is the only realm within their control and urging them to shape their future. The vulnerability expressed in his words resonated as the band delved into the emotionally charged “I Was Alive.”

Visually dynamic, Caleb changed outfits multiple times throughout the set, each transformation adding a layer of theatricality to the performance. The fire alarm’s unexpected intrusion during “I Was Alive” only fueled the band’s determination, and they persisted, continuing the show without missing a beat. The encore, comprising “Riptide” and “In Between,” brought the concert to a triumphant close. “The Surface,” released in October 2023, was aptly represented in the setlist, featuring standout tracks like “Doubt Me,” “Look the Other Way,” and “The Better Me.” Beartooth showcased their musical maturity and growth, seamlessly navigating through the sonic landscapes of their albums.

As the final chords of “In Between” echoed through MTELUS, it was evident that Beartooth had not just performed a concert; they had orchestrated a cathartic celebration of life, leaving the crowd with an indelible experience that transcended the boundaries of age and musical preference. On a concluding note, as I exited the venue, I noticed an ambulance nearby, serving as a sombre reminder that the fire alarm was not a false alert and that something had indeed occurred. I hope everyone affected found safety and that, by the end of the show, well-being was restored.

For an in-depth perspective from Caleb Shomo himself, check out our exclusive interview with the Beartooth frontman below. We caught up with Caleb ahead of the MTELUS show to explore what defines happiness for him in 2024, what makes the perfect show, and why the new album, “The Surface,” represents a significant moment in his life.