2023 has graced us with plenty of great heavy metal tours, and what better way to close out the year than with the cream of the crop? Very few bands in the metal world have as much respect put to their names as Meshuggah does, and to see them wrap up a lengthy tour with other heavy hitters in our wonderful city’s greatest suburb is something I could not miss.
When trying to describe Whitechapel, one word comes to mind: Power. Phil Bozeman already proved he’s got one of the gnarliest voices in the metal game, and the live experience is no exception. With nothing more than a microphone and a stage riser to lean into, his deep gutterals commanded the crowd. The rest of the band were in top shape as well, with their machine-like precision elevating the experience. Despite all the backline equipment pushing the deathcore group far downstage, Whitechapel still felt like titans in their space, worthy of not only being on the bill but headlining the venue if they had to, as most seats were full during their opening set. A great sight to see.
Next up, with their only appearance on this tour, were hometown heroes Voivod. Fresh off of their Juno Award win for best heavy metal album and forty years into their career, these Quebec thrash legends need no introduction. They were certainly welcomed with open arms by the Montreal audience, yet their set lacked the polish of the night’s other performers. Still, the pure rawness of their set offered an old-school sound which myself and others no doubt appreciated. Still, the band never failed to summon an enthusiastic circle pit with the help of a new riff or a changing groove. I caught these guys earlier this summer in Belgium, at Graspop Metal Meeting’s Metal Dome stage, and the acoustics there sounded about as bad as you’d expect given the stage’s name. It was great to finally hear them in front of a home crowd in a much stronger performance environment.
The night’s back half was a masterclass in Swedish metal, with In Flames gracing the stage next. After a backing track of their latest album’s acoustic opener pulled them onstage, they launched into a full, aggressive onslaught. I also last saw these guys at Graspop in the summer, and I thought their late-afternoon set lacked energy. But tonight, with the lights, the roar of the Montreal crowd, and one more night to share the stage with their compatriots, they absolutely delivered. Frontman Anders Fridén would often engage with fans, asking them to go crazy, open up the pit, or humorously thank everyone involved in the tour for putting up with them. Though his demeanour was relaxed, In Flames’ performance was anything but. The whole set was chock-full of chilling screams, chugging guitars, and mind-breaking drum fills, which were amplified by quick spotlights on Tanner Wayne’s kit. The band capped it all off with Take This Life and a promise to return shortly.
As the strangest blend of hilariously terrible music played through the PA and confused the audience, Meshuggah was on deck to close out the gargantuan night. Nothing could prepare me for what the godfathers of djent would bring to the table, not even having seen them six months ago. To catch them as an arena headliner was a near-spiritual experience, with the production quality largely to thank. I cannot overstate how good their light show was. Imagine the complexity of your average Meshuggah song, with every note, rhythm, and accent deconstructed and assigned to a specific lighting fixture or colour. It truly emphasized the technical abilities of the band and added some visual clarity to the drop-tuned riffs that they’ve been pioneering since the late eighties.
As the slow, polyrhythmic build of Broken Cog kicked off their set, audience members were no doubt trying to find the pulse of the song before erupting into a sea of chaos. The moshpitters and headbangers looked like scattering ants every time a light flashed its way through the darkness for a fraction of a second. I desperately wished I could join them, but the Swedish legends gave everyone in the seats more than enough to enjoy. The light spectacle continued through the entire set, with illuminated set pieces and choreographed interludes during set changes, stopping only to allow frontman Jens Kidman to address the crowd with his heartfelt appreciation. It was the final night of a lengthy tour, and although I’m sure they’re happy to return home for the holidays after four weeks on the road, no one can claim that anyone’s performances tonight were phoned in. The spirit of Montreal’s internationally recognized metal scene was very much alive that night, and Place Bell was home for those few precious hours.
Review – Mathieu Perrier
Photos – Ryan Rumpel
