On Wednesday, May 27, Montreal’s intimate Theatre Fairmount exploded into a haze of metal, industrial noise, gothic synths, and nostalgia as Trace Amount, clubdrugs, and The Black Queen let loose. It was my first time at the Fairmount, and in a room that small, the stage sits only inches away. You almost feel like part of the band and crew as they swap instruments between sets.
Opening the evening was Trace Amount, the experimental industrial solo project of Brandon Gallagher out of Brooklyn. Blending EDM, hardcore punk, and metallic aggression, Gallagher filled the room with punishing electronics and raw intensity. The highlight came at the end of his set, when he stepped into the crowd with his synth drum and closed out with an explosive solo that blurred the line between performer and audience.
Chicago duo clubdrugs followed, with Maria and John delivering a sharp set of gothic synth-pop. Where Trace Amount played in near-darkness, clubdrugs lit the venue with bright LCD projections and 80s visuals that got the crowd moving.
The Black Queen sent the room into a frenzy the moment they walked on. Celebrating the tenth anniversary of Fever Daydream, the band played the album from start to finish, dark synths washing over the crowd while haunting, seductive vocals filled the room. It felt less like watching a performance and more like being part of one. It was also my first time at a show built around a full album played in sequence, and the mood and atmosphere carried the whole night.
Fronted by Greg Puciato, best known for The Dillinger Escape Plan, the band reunited for the anniversary tour alongside Danny Lohner (Nine Inch Nails, A Perfect Circle) and Steven Alexander (Dillinger Escape Plan and Nine Inch Nails tech). In a venue as intimate as the Fairmount, every note and lyric felt personal. Steven let people riff on his guitar a couple of times, and Danny clocked my Nine Inch Nails shirt and threw me a thumbs-up and a pick. Devoted to their fans, the band came out to say hello after the show, a special treat.
For longtime fans, the anniversary run-through of Fever Daydream was a rich dose of nostalgia. For newcomers, it was an invitation into The Black Queen’s shadowy world. Could it point to a new album before long? I hope so.
Review & Photos – Mike Cerantola
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