Devin Townsend Project

Opera House Jan 26 2010 Toronto CAD

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Devin rolled into Toronto for the first time since 2005 to grace the stage of the legendary Opera House as support for Cynic and Between the Buried and Me.  In his own words he wanted to give a “taste of what is to come in the future” then proceeded to “Rock our perverbial twats off” over a 30 mins set that left the crowd begging for more. We can only hope that not only does he return soon but headlines as well.

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@ The Opera House  Toronto, Oct 9 2009

This is not your average band, not your average music, not your average look, in fact the word average can be tossed out the window all together. A little bit of metal and a lot of cabaret, some lace and lipstick and a touch of humour on the side. Emilie Autumn and her Bloody Crumpets  took over Toronto’s Opera House and turned it upside down. The show started unusually late; doors opened at 9 and the show seemed to have a few false starts until finally things got rolling close to 10:30pm. Enter the stage 5 lovely ladies dolled up in corsets, adorned with feathers and frills. Strutting around in boots any Goth girl would die for, they burst into song and dance flanked by a light show just as colourful as their attire. Emilie herself appeared on stage donning a bird mask as she lurked around the stage behind a large silhouetted clock. She soon joined the rest of her crew center stage, including Naughty Veronica, Captain Maggot, The Blessed Contessa and Aprella. Each with their own unique look and talent of some sort, they seemed to keep the crowd entranced through most of the 2 + hour long show. There were the few pockets of dead air, but being this was the first stop of their North American tour we can expect such things as they get into the mode of things.

So what can one expect at such a show? Girls kissing girls, cookies for everyone, a pirate on stilts, a sip of tea and the meanest harpsichord and electric violin solos your ears have ever heard. Although Emilie’s style of music is not something I would choose to listen to on my own time (the show was a lot more stunning visually for me than musically) I have to give these girls credit; they are highly skilled and extremely talented. There was a lot of contact between the band and the audience, plenty of interaction going on from the beginning to the set; moments when the band got right into the crowd or invited someone onstage. Emilie Autumn will be on tour throughout North America until early Dec, be sure to check these gals out.

Setlist included: Opheliac, Liar, The Art of Suicide, Shallot, Dominant, God Help Me, Dead is the New Alive, I know Where you Sleep & Unlaced.

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Live @ Sound Academy Toronto, Sept 26 2009

As anticipated, Finnish road warriors Children of Bodom invaded Toronto. Having been on tour for the past two years solid these metalheads know how to perform and perform they did. Fans packed into The Sound Academy to hear the band rip through favourites old and new. Those who could afford it paid a hefty $90 for VIP tickets which included early entry and a meet & greet as well. Roope, Jaska, Alexi, Janne and Henkka graciously signed autographs and took photos with VIP ticket holders a half hour before those waiting in the cold rain were permitted inside. Finally around 7:30pm the crowd began to chant and the doors open to a flood of eager teens.

Once Skeletonwitch and The Black Dahlia Murder got the crowd warmed up the Bodom boys hit the stage. The last time COB were in town was with the No Fear Energy Tour in late April of this year, having been direct support for Lamb of God. Shortly after that particular show, front man Alexi Laiho fell from his tour bus bunk and shattered his shoulder and a couple ribs. He made it through a few more performances before the band finally had to drop off the tour completely to allow Alexi time to heal and recover. Recover he did as was apparent this evening as he worked the stage, head banging and swinging his guitar around his neck front to back. It was great to see him back to on his game and able to belt out a song again. Henkka on bass straddled the stage as he played, often switching from a black bass to a newer white model.  The Hate Crew burned though tracks like Silent Night Bodom Night, Hellhounds on my Trail, Are You Dead Yet, Lake Bodom, Downfall and title track from their 2008 album, Blooddrunk . Although they recently released a cover album,  Skeletons in the Closet,  they have yet to include any of those songs on this current tour, although Alexi did mention to me post show that it is possible they may begin to play some live in the future.

Roope Latvala; a legend in his own right back in their home country of Finland due to the thrash metal band Stone, shredded away at his guitar and worked up an incredible sweat during the show. Always amazing to watch, he and Alexi  would pair off and play side by side in a dueling guitar solo.  Alexi would often run back to join Janne on keyboards and they too would then square off as well, leaning against one another and laughing. As always, Janne’s keyboard rack was loaded with bras; trophies he collects, tossed on stage from fans and then displayed proudly. On drums Jaska laid down a barrage of beats only capable from such a skilled drummer as himself.  The crowd was pressed firmly against the barrier, a sea of rock horns in the air and many girls were atop their boyfriends shoulders to get either a better view of the show or in hopes of getting the bands attention, take your pick. Following a short break the band returned to the stage for an encore, giving the eager crowd two more songs, Every Time I Die and Hate Crew Death Roll. At the end of the performance Alexi stood center stage as single light cast down upon him. He bowed his head as the crowd roared their appreciation for the band. Soon his bandmates joined him as they tossed towels, drumsticks and guitar picks into the crowd before waving goodbye and exiting.  Children of Bodom are currently on tour throughout North America, including more Canadian dates out west. The band has a show in Hawaii, then are off to Japan, finishing off the tour in Russia after which they will enjoy some well needed and deserved  R&R.  Catch them while you can.