Concerts Photos
Gallery – GWAR at the Vogue Theatre in Vancouver, BC
On March 20th, heavy metal band GWAR brought their ‘Age of Befuddlement’ tour to the Vogue Theatre in Vancouver, BC.
Here is what GWAR lead singer Blöthar The Berserker had this to say about the impending trek to Canada: “The Invasion of Canada is nigh. We will start our campaign to bring befuddlement to the masses in the cultured and forward thinking American South, and from there, we will launch a coast-to-coast attack on the Great White North, leaving a swath of destruction not seen since the War of 1812. Stopping only to get high in the Pacific Northwest, we will dive directly into the gaping hole of the donut, the American Midwest, before gracing the Dirty South and ending again on the filthy streets of Baltimore! I wonder if we can score crack in the ‘City that Reads.’ Are You Not Befuddled?”
Seeing and photographing has been on my bucket list for a while and I was not disappointed! As expected, it got a bit bloody last night. But before we arrived to this point, American Fuming Mouth and Canadian Cancer Bats opened the night and delivered incredibly high-energy sets that won the crowd over.
Then it was time for “The Blood Of Gods”, Gwar who transformed an ordinary night into a blood-soaked spectacle of metal mayhem. Anticipation crackled through the air, fueled by the promise of gallons of gore and sonic assault.
As the crowd swelled within the packed venue, the ominous strains of Black Sabbath‘s “War Pigs” set the stage for the impending chaos. Then, like a thunderous onslaught, GWAR exploded onto the stage, led by the formidable Blöthar the Berserker, whose commanding presence seized the audience’s attention from the first guttural roar. With relentless energy, GWAR tore through a setlist that was as brutal as it was electrifying, delivering fan favorites like “I’ll Be Your Monster” and “Immortal Corruptor” with ferocious intensity. The stage became a battleground, drenched in blood as the band unleashed their signature torrents upon the ecstatic crowd, leaving no soul untouched by the carnage.
Despite the chaos and carnage, there was an undeniable sense of camaraderie among the fans, united by their shared love of the macabre and the metal. As the night drew to a close, the crowd, including me, spilled out into the streets, drenched in blood yet wearing the satisfied smiles of those who had witnessed something truly glorious.
Check out the night’s galleries below!
GWAR
CANCER BATS
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer
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