Concerts Photos
Megadeth at Rogers Forum in Abbostford
Megadeth rolled into Abbotsford’s Rogers Forum on February 17 with their Canadian farewell tour in tow, and they did not waste a second getting down to business. The lineup alone was enough to make any thrash fan sweat a little. Bay Area pioneers Exodus kicked things off with a gritty, no-frills set that immediately sparked the first mosh pits of the night, followed by NYC heavyweights Anthrax, who kept the circle pits churning and the energy climbing. By the time Megadeth hit the stage, the arena was buzzing and fully warmed up.
They came out swinging with “Tipping Point,” “Dread and the Fugitive Mind,” and a ripping “Hangar 18,” setting a fierce pace right away. The band sounded tight, confident, and completely in sync, tearing through a set that balanced longtime favourites with deeper cuts. On the floor, the pits kept opening and collapsing in waves, a constant swirl of bodies matching every rapid-fire riff.
About halfway through, the band made some tour debuts featuring “She-Wolf,” and “Poison Was the Cure”. Not too long after, fans were treated to one of their biggest hits “Symphony of Destruction” which turned into a full-arena moment, thousands of voices chanting in unison.
For two hours, Megadeth revisited decades of material with clarity and precision. If this really is the last run, Abbotsford got to see them exactly how they should be seen: loud and in full command of the chaos.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
Upcoming Tour Dates:
Feb. 20 – Calgary, Alberta @ Scotiabank, Saddledome
Feb. 21 – Edmonton, Alberta @ Rogers Place
Feb. 24 – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan @ SaskTel Centre
Feb. 25 – Winnipeg, Manitoba @ Canada Life Centre
Feb. 28 – London, Ontario @ Canada Life Place
March 1 – Ottawa, Ontario @ Canadian Tire Centre
March 3 – Halifax, Nova Scotia @ Scotiabank Centre
March 4 – Moncton, New Brunswick @ Avenir Centre
March 6 – Quebec City, Quebec @ Videotron Centre
April 23 – Lima, Peru @ Costa 21
April 26 – Bogota, Colombia @ Movistar Arean
April 27 – Bogota, Colombia @ Movistar Arean
April 30 – Buenos Aires, Argentina @ TBA
May 2 – Sao Paulo, Brazil @ Espaco Unimed
May 4 – Santiago, Chile @ Movistar Arena
May 5 – Santiago, Chile @ Movistar Arena
May 8 – Monterrey, Mexico @ Arena Monterrey
May 10 – Mexico City, Mexico @ Arena Ciudad de Mexico
May 11 – Mexico City, Mexico @ Arena Ciudad de Mexico
May 13 – Guadalajara, Mexico @ Arena Guadalajara
May 25 – Valencia, Spain @ Roig Arena
May 27 – A Coruna, Spain @ Coliseum
May 29 – Bilbao, Spain @ Bizkaia Arena-BEC!
June 2 – Hanover, Germany @ Heinz von Heiden Arena (supporting Iron Maiden)
June 6 – Maastricht, Netherlands @ South of Heaven Open Air*
June 7 – Gelsenkirchen, Germany @ Amphitheater
June 10 – Hradec Králové, Czechia @ Rock for People*
June 11 – Esch-Sur-Alzette, Luxembourg @ Rockhal
June 14 – Ferrara, Italy @ Ferrara Summer Festival*
June 15 – Zurich, Switzerland @ Halle 622
June 16 – Vienna, Austria @ Gasometer
June 18, Dessel, Belgium @ Graspop Metal Meeting*
June 20 – Clisson, France @ Hellfest*
June 23 – Istanbul, Turkey @ Kucukciftlik Park
June 26 – Helsinki, Finland @ Tuska*
June 28 – Almaty, Kazakhstan @ Spartak Stadium
Aug. 8 – Sturgis, S.D. @ Sturgis Buffalo Chip
* = Festival date
More information on Megadeth’s website.
MEGADETH
ANTHRAX
EXODUS
All Photo Credit: Heather Horncastle
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