When the Finnish power metal juggernaut Beast In Black joined forces with the mesmerizing synthwave duo Dance With The Dead at Club Soda in Montreal, it was a night that defied genre boundaries and left the audience in awe. This show was a blend of musical styles that created a unique and unforgettable concert experience that will be etched in the memories of all who attended.
The evening commenced with Dance With The Dead, known for their hypnotic blend of synthwave and darkwave. Their pulsating beats, haunting melodies, and mesmerizing visuals set the stage for an otherworldly experience. As the duo, Tony Kim and Justin Pointer unleashed their sonic wizardry, the audience was transported to a dystopian realm where the line between reality and fiction blurred. The mood was very much a dance party, and there were no breaks from either Justin or Tony to address the crowd. I later found out why while talking to Justin at the merch table, and it was a mix of stage fright and a desire just to perform the music. Neither Justin nor Tony wanted to talk, so they just never bothered with microphones.
Following Dance With The Dead’s ethereal set, the anticipation in the venue reached a fever pitch as Beast In Black stormed the stage. Led by the charismatic Yannis Papadopoulos, the band kicked off their performance with the explosive “Blade Runner,” instantly igniting the crowd.
The stage was adorned with two capsules featuring amputated mannequins that fit their aesthetic for a dystopian future, with hints of their Dark Connection album art. Their energy throughout the show was contagious and continued the dystopia of Dance With The Dead.
Beast In Black’s setlist was a masterful blend of tracks from their discography, playing a total of 19 tracks from their three albums. The setlist can be found HERE.
A standout moment was when the masked tour manager took the stage during “Crazy, Mad, Insane”. She appeared onstage wielding a keytar and seamlessly blended in with the futuristic vibes of the band with the costume she wore.
Yannis Papadopoulos’ vocals were something to behold. I was amazed at his control of notes that most bands would hire a female vocalist for the live performance. His commanding stage presence and vocal prowess were on full display, solidifying his status as one of metal’s premier frontmen.
Yannis Papadopoulos and the rest of his band engaged in playful banter with each other as much as with the crowd, expressing their gratitude for the fans’ support and marvelling at the unique energy of the evening. They were a joy to take pictures of, often mugging for the camera to add a new layer to each picture.
The night culminated in a thunderous triple encore that showcased the top hits of Beast in Black from each of their three albums. Between each song, Yanni teased leaving for the night but came back to Montréal’s calls to continue the encore.
Beast In Black and Dance With The Dead were well received by the crowd. My only complaint with Dance With The Dead is that while I knew some of their music, the songs blend so well together that it’s harder to pin down the setlist they used for the night. The entire night was a great atmosphere, and I look forward to the next shows.
Review & photos – Ryan Rumpel
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