The heavy metal community came together once again at the Beanfield Theatre for Wind Rose‘s inaugural North American headlining tour. The energy was palpable from the moment I stepped in, and it was evident that everyone was geared up for a fantastic time.
Kicking off the night, German symphonic power metal outfit Xandria wasted no time in captivating the audience with their epic melodies. Vocalist Ambre seamlessly blended classic opera with heavy metal vocals, enrapturing the crowd with a mix of newer tracks and fan favourites. A highlight was Amber’s charming introductions in French, much to the delight of the Montreal crowd. Despite their impressive performance, the absence of a live bassist was a minor drawback, with a backing track filling the void.
“Are you ready to join the Wind Rose army?” It seemed everyone in attendance was more than prepared! Fans arrived dressed as dwarves, complete with mighty hammers and pickaxes, ready to immerse themselves in the world of Italy’s premier dwarf metal band. Wind Rose kicked off their set with a powerful rendition of “Army of Stone,” igniting a frenzy of moshing and pickaxe waving. The crowd enthusiastically joined in for the anthemic “Mine Mine Mine!” while the charismatic frontman entertained with banter, affirming the superiority of dwarves over elves.
Wind Rose continued to captivate the audience with their signature European power metal sound, weaving symphonic fantasy elements and sing-along choruses throughout their set. As the evening drew to a close, the eagerly anticipated “Diggy Diggy Hole” had the crowd mimicking the act of digging with plastic pickaxes, creating a wild spectacle of sing-alongs and crowd surfing.
Returning for an encore, Wind Rose delivered a touching acoustic rendition of “Tomorrow Has Come” before closing the night with the empowering “I Am The Mountain,” reinforcing the sense of camaraderie among metal enthusiasts.
While power metal may embrace the whimsical and eccentric, there’s no denying the joy it brings. My experience at the show left me with a smile plastered on my face, and I wholeheartedly recommend catching Wind Rose live if the opportunity arises.
Review – Jason Maher
Photos – Ryan Rumpel
