Montreal remains a vibrant epicentre for concerts, with an array of events happening every night of the week. On this particular Sunday, the city hosted punk legends such as The Exploited and D.O.A., alongside power metal titans Powerwolf at Place Bell. Yet, the underground independent scene thrived with equal fervour.
The Brasserie Beaubien was bustling for an intimate hardcore show featuring the UK-based band Perp Walk.
The evening commenced with a captivating set from the local shoegaze rock band Shirehead. Their distinctive sound blended dreamy, emotive guitar riffs and keyboards with the dynamic energy typical of the hardcore punk scene. Their latest single, “Black Ties,” which just dropped on streaming platforms, has been on repeat in my earbuds since the show. If you have an affinity for post-punk, shoegaze, or post-hardcore, I highly recommend checking them out. They’re a promising new addition to the scene, and I eagerly anticipate their future releases.
Following this ethereal opener, the atmosphere shifted dramatically as the new thrash metal band Postluven took the stage. Their classic early ’80s thrash metal sound was fast, intense, and brimming with guitar riffs and blistering solos. This young band is poised to garner significant attention in the local scene. If classic metal is your forte, make sure to follow them on social media and catch them live.
Next up were Bad Egg from Windsor, Ontario, a remarkable discovery that might quickly become my favourite hardcore band from the Ontario scene. Their seamless blend of punk, egg-punk, and hardcore had me coming out of my shell and diving into the pit—no yolk about it. This female-fronted hardcore band delivered a set brimming with frenetic energy and massive breakdowns, offering everything I cherish in a hardcore band. They were eggceptionally good, and I’m not just egging you on.
Headlining the night was Perp Walk from the UK, and they were absolutely electrifying! It was an honour to be part of the crowd, moshing along at their debut Montreal show. I have no doubt that in a few years, they will be a fixture in the hardcore circuit’s major leagues. Their performance was a powerhouse of energy, reminiscent of GEL. The intensity and heaviness of their set transformed the mosh pit into a chaotic battleground. The crowd was two-stepping and moshing enthusiastically throughout their brief but powerful set. If you’re into this new wave of hardcore punk, catch them now before they become giants in the genre.
This intimate show underscored the strength and vitality of Montreal’s underground scene, which remains welcoming to independent bands from around the globe. Despite the city’s other concurrent concerts, the crowd made sure Perp Walk had an unforgettable night in Montreal, and I’m confident they’ll be back soon!
Review – Jason Maher
Photo (not from Montreal): Ben Hunt
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