Concerts Photos
FLESHWATER at the Henry Fonda Theater in Los Angeles
Having just come off opening for a legendary band such as the Deftones, you think FLESHWATER would be riding high and resting on their laurels for what they’ve been accomplishing lately. You’d be far from wrong. FLESHWATER strolled in for 2 nights back to back at the Henry Fonda Theater, and brought along absolute chaos with them in openers BALMORA and CHAT PILE.
Opening the night would be Connecticut’s BALMORA. Bringing that nasty, yet tasty European / black melodic metal influence that is coming back around, the band proceeded to bring a nice blend of heavy and brutal music with a few traditional hardcore breakdowns. They may have been the openers, bathed in dark light, to showcase not only their mood, but their incredible live energy.
CHAT PILE brought some of the craziest and sludgiest noise I’ve personally ever seen. Formed just before the pandemic in 2019 in OKC, the band has a no prisoners attitude live on stage and record, truly showing how violent, yet honest their music can be. Raygun Busch decided to lose his shirt about 2 songs in, and never quite needs shoes to kick ass onstage. If you dig chaos, CHAT PILE is your jam.
Up next was Boston’s FLESHWATER. Featuring members of VEIN.FM, this band is an audio and visual assault live, and you can tell that touring with Deftones has possibly rubbed off on the band’s touring production. The band started off with “Drowning Song,” and exploded into “Green Street.” The band fired off snow into audience, while commencing into “Jetpack,” a song with a killer video on their recently released album 2000: In Search of The Endless Sky. Anyone that is a fan of Deftones and moodier groove tunes will find FLESHWATER in their music rotation.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
FLESHWATER
CHAT PILE
BALMORA
All Photo Credit: John McCrary
Concerts Photos
Buffalo Traffic Jam at the Danforth Music Hall in Toronto
There is something magical about voices matching the season. The excitement of walking up to the Danforth Music Hall on the perfect autumn night, only to be engulfed in raw, emotive rasp.
Lydia Maes really pulled me in. There’s such an emotional quality to her voice. The way she incorporates the saxophone and the way she hypnotizes the crowd. She played a beautiful set and then later came out with her fiddle, to join Buffalo Traffic Jam.
Colin Lynch completely caught me off guard, with a voice that sounds like he sells out stadiums. He’s young, but that soulful, raspy, depth speaks to every age.
Then came the one and only Buffalo Traffic Jam. Gritty, earthy harmonies took over the Danforth and the crowd was electrified. There’s something about their sound that feels both stripped down and warm at the same time, and the moment they started, we were all at their mercy.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
BUFFALO TRAFFIC JAM
COLIN LYNCH
LYDIA MAES
All Photo Credit: Bailey Morgan
Concerts Photos
Sabaton Bring Fire and Fury to Vancouver on North American Tour Finale
After many many years away from Vancouver, Sabaton returned to the PNE Forum on October 8 for a fiery night of heavy metal, military-themed theatrics and massive sing-alongs. The Swedish metal band chose the city to close out its North American tour, and it went out with a bang.
Opening the night was Pop Evil, whose modern hard rock offered a different sound from the headliner’s power metal. Tracks like “Trenches” brought plenty of energy, giving the crowd a reason to get moving before the main event. Their heavier riffs and commanding stage presence made for a solid start to the evening despite the low lighting.
Sabaton wasted little time making its return count. Kicking off with “Ghost Division,” the band delivered a wall of sound backed by pounding drums, sharp guitar riffs and bursts of fire that lit up the Forum. The stage, complete with military-inspired hardware, gave the performance the feel of a full-scale production rather than a standard metal concert.
Frontman Joakim Brodén led the charge with his unmistakable voice and natural sense of showmanship. Songs like “The Last Stand,” “Stormtroopers” and “Night Witches” showcased the band’s knack for turning historical stories into anthems built for thousands of voices. The crowd happily did its part, singing along throughout the night.
The spectacle never distracted from the music. Flames punctuated the band’s heaviest moments, adding extra intensity to “Bismarck,” “Fields of Verdun” and “The Attack of the Dead Men.” For the latter, the band leaned into the song’s subject matter with gas masks, adding another theatrical touch to an already explosive set.
The closing stretch was pure Sabaton. “Swedish Pagans” brought another huge audience sing-along before “Primo Victoria” and “To Hell and Back” sent the Forum into the night at full volume.
After seven years, Sabaton gave Vancouver plenty of reasons to welcome them back. Closing the North American tour with a performance this tight, loud and entertaining was a fitting end to the run. With commanding vocals, memorable choruses and enough pyro to warm the entire Forum, the band left little doubt that its next visit cannot come soon enough.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
SABATON
POP EVIL
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer