An evening of black metal descended upon the Beanfield Theatre in Montreal as Norwegian extreme metal veterans Enslaved made a rare appearance on a short run of select North American dates.
The lineup was concise, featuring only two bands—an ideal setup for a Monday night show. Local black metal band Spectral Wound kicked off the evening. I arrived just as their set began and was immediately captivated. I had already listened to their 2024 release Songs of Blood and Mire numerous times, but experiencing them live was a revelation.
To me, Spectral Wound are the finest example of contemporary black metal, and it’s a privilege that they hail from our own city. Their set focused heavily on their most recent album, and their sound, aesthetic, and stage presence are deeply rooted in the spirit of early black metal. Their performance featured the genre’s hallmark tremolo-picked melodies and relentless drumming, with vocals that alternated between anguished wails and feral snarls. Seeing Spectral Wound live feels like stepping into a time machine, transporting you to the primal fury of black metal’s origins. If you’re a fan of the genre’s early bands, I highly recommend experiencing them in a live setting.
Next, metal legends Enslaved took the stage, performing in front of a scenic backdrop depicting the majestic Norwegian wilderness—a fitting visual for a band often credited as pioneers of the Viking metal subgenre. Formed in 1991 by Ivar and Grutle while they were still teenagers, Enslaved have remained prolific throughout their career. Their early work, particularly the seminal 1994 release Frost, holds a revered place in the first wave of black metal canon. Over the years, the band’s sound has expanded, incorporating a wide range of influences that push beyond the boundaries of traditional black metal.
I’d never seen them live before, so I was pretty excited—and they definitely delivered. Their setlist covered a wide span of their discography, giving fans from every era something to enjoy. I was pumped to hear tracks from Frost like “Fenris,” and “Jotunblod,” but I was just as impressed by some of their newer songs. One standout was their hypnotic performance of “Havenless,” kicked off by a haunting, rhythmically chanted intro in Norwegian.
The band appeared energized and genuinely happy to be back in Montreal, reminiscing with the audience about their first show in the city over 30 years ago. They were pleasantly surprised to find that some longtime fans who had attended that show were still in attendance. Their camaraderie on stage was infectious—they joked with the crowd, smiled throughout the set, and shared their admiration for Quebec rock legend Michel Pagliaro.
It was an exceptional night of metal, showcasing both the future and the legacy of the genre. Spectral Wound delivered a blistering performance that cemented their place as black metal’s new vanguard, while Enslaved demonstrated why they continue to be revered as pioneers. Together, they offered Montreal’s metal community a night to remember.
Review – Jason Maher
Photos – Steve Gerrard
