Protest the Hero + Bird Problems @ Théâtre Fairmount

This was a Saturday night filled with options for your entertainment dollar. A beautiful evening with a packed concert slate. Not the least of which was the mythical legend Henry Rollins himself performing across town. Still, the Fairmount Theatre was not only packed but filled up early on this night. 

The crowd was already full and in full attention for locals Bird Problems. This was my first chance to catch these prog metal avians live. I’d heard the name but couldn’t tell you much about them. Well after that performance, like the colour of Anna’s hummingbird, that’s gonna change. It didn’t take them long to win over the crowd. A mix of guttural screams, haunting melodies, heavy riffs and grooves. There was definitely lots of pigeon necking in the crowd. While the problems are bird, the emotions were definitely human.

For anyone who listened to Protest the Hero’s 2020 album Palimpsest, you no doubt know that this album is filled with anthems that just beg to be experienced live with fantastic sing-alongs. Well, it seemed that the world had other plans so we had to wait 2 years, but luckily the band didn’t make us wait any longer and hit the stage with album opener Migrant Mother. It was an immediate explosion in the crowd. 

Seriously, the Fairmount floor was bouncing like it was just a piece of plywood. I honestly had to look down and became even more worried when I saw several cracks in the floor. I was reassured that if I died, Protest the Hero would likely write a kickass song about it like they did when their stage collapsed in Newfoundland. If you have no clue what I’m babbling about, look up the story of Mist.

Up on stage, the first thing that’s apparent is that lead singer Rody Walker has the energy and vibe of an 80s aerobics instructor leading us in his new workout tape “Sweatin’ to the Heavies.” His glorious white Alanis Morrisette t-shirt just added to the mood. I’ll always be amazed by how someone can maintain that vibe while singing about Genghis Khan decapitating people. 

I’ll mention there was heavy use of backing vocals. Not sure if it was because they hadn’t toured in the last 2 years or this is the new normal as Walker has had some vocal issues over the years, but the crowd was happy to scream over them anyhow. Walker’s vocals sounded as good as they have in years. 

While having 15 years of back catalogue gives a band some interesting choices when it comes to setlist, it was the 6 tracks from 2020’s Palimpsest that were the highlights on the night. As much as the band must’ve been excited to finally play them live, the crowd was just as eager to sing along. It was sad to see classics like Hair Trigger and Turn Soonest to the Sea fall off the set though.

This night had a special feel. With several roster changes and Rody’s voice problems, there’s lots of talk as to what the future holds for Protest the Hero. On this night we could rest assured that the present is in good hands. It’s strange to have this much fun at a metal show, but this is the band who showed up at Heavy Mtl dressed in beachwear amidst a sea of black t-shirts. 

Review & photos – Richard Brunette

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