“Racism is not welcome in this room” frontman Andrew Dijorio solemnly stated while hunched over the front of the stage. Cheers erupted from the audience at Le National. “You guys are amazing. Feeding off the energy of so many different people, it is just inspiring. I see so many different faces of people in crowd in front of me… There’s only one rule with Stray From The Path shows: you are all accepted for who you are.”
Thus was the all-inclusive message brought to Montreal from long-island metalcore band Stray from the Path, along with some dizzying rage-punk anthems that had the mosh pit spinning in circles. Stray is touring with long-time bandmates Counterparts, as well as Comeback Kid and Gideon – the four groups made an appearance and brought down the house last Friday down in the heart of Montreal’s gay village at Le National.
Gideon hailed in from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and got our hardcore ears warmed up with their vein of Christian-inspired heavy metal. Inspirational lyrics about redemption and seizing the moment were accompanied by extremely heavy-hitting hardcore licks. Frontman Daniel McWhorter broodingly stomped around the stage in his plaid shirt and signature baseball cap as the vortex of mosh slowly gathered momentum.
Next up was a recognizable classic to the Montreal hardcore scene – Comeback Kid. All frontman Andrew Neufeld had to do was stand up on a front monitor and yell out “Wasted!” to the audience, and everyone knew how to continue “Wasted Arrows” by heart. The hardcore faithful were plentiful and the Winnipeg band led them in prayer. The vibe in the room shifted from the aggressive dissonant metal of Gideon to authentic bareknuckle street anthems of these Manitoba kids.
With a bit of history in Montreal, Andrew recounted to us all the story of how on one of CBK’s earlier tours, about ten years ago, their entire van full of equipment was stolen in the parking lot of their hotel. Oops. Somehow the outpouring response made the difference though, and he had nothing but praise to share for the city and its fans that fundraised for them in the aftermath. All in the crowd echoed loudly with their cheers and love, and that special long-time bond that forms between returning bands and their super fans was getting pretty clear.
Treating us to some of their most recent work, “Somewhere, Somehow,” CBK finally closed down their set with the epic “Wake The Dead.” Once again the crowd knew each word by heart and lost their minds. It was a pleasure watching not only this group, but also the energy they inspired in the audience. Maybe it was a local-ish Canadian band impression but they made everyone feel like they belong.
Counterparts then took the stage, hailing in from Hamilton, Ontario. Either Montreal fans have a thing against Ontario bands, or maybe word just had not trickled outside yet that the third band was on, because the floor was still frustratingly sparse into their second song. Frontman Brendan Murphy had tons of passion, but it was a bit awkward when he yelled to the crowd to mosh “wall to wall, motherfuckers” when, well, it wasn’t. The crowd eventually filled up La National, and things did turn around.
Finally, and without too much delay, Stray from the Path took the stage and blew our faces off. Drew York has too much energy and was leading the crowd like a conductor channeling a concerto. We spun around, surfed and then on cue would listen to the gospel from Long Island, NY with our fist raised in the air. Incredible show, very hard to duplicate. That statement which began this article led into their latest killer track “Good Night Alt-Right;” a seriously heavy rage bender against all the ugliness that has reared its head in our world. Seeing it live is something else entirely.
For the final epic song, “First World Problem Child,” a dozen hardcore fans were welcomed to join the band on stage, wait the count, and then jump at the perfect “shut the f**k up” moment. A hardcore dream come true; you could see the beaming faces of the kids on stage. Stray From The Path is pure rock energy and all class. Kudos to the accessibility of musicians like Dijorio, Thomas Williams, “Dragon Neck” Altamura and Craig Reynolds – they totally made the fans’ night and mine as well. Great show.
Stray From The Path is touring North America with Counterparts, Comeback Kid, Gideon, as well as other local acts such as SafeHaven, Rats & Out of My League. Stray is then heading out to tour Europe as well as fight fascists into early November.
Review & photos – David Loach
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