By Alitzia Tyminski
As Toronto continued recovering from the Metallica invasion and on a federal election day in Canada – Machine Head, In Flames, Lacuna Coil and Unearth arrived!
Toronto welcomed Machine Head with raised horns chanting, “Motherfucking Machine Head!”
“Cheers you fucking maniacs! Cheers everybody! I want to thank everybody, if you didn’t go to Metallica and you came here instead thank you very much for coming out, if you did go we’re happy that you’re here also man! Fucking A!” as frontman Robb Flynn acknowledged a packed venue for a Monday night.
Joined by Havok’s former guitarist Reece Scruggs, bassist Jared MacEachern and introduced by Flynn as “Mr. Matt Alston on the motherfucking drums!” walked onto the stage and charged into “Imperium”.
With a cinematic inspired stage production (fitting for the History venue built in 2021), Machine Head immediately pulled you into their world slinging skull crushers from their back catalogue for a new generation and the OGs.
Pounding the “Ten Ton Hammer”, Flynn turned to the dark side with his Darth Vader explorer guitar donning intricately crafted custom clothing by fashion designer Kim Dylla of Kylla Custom Rock Wear.
Machine Head dropped their fresh new album UNATØNED (Nuclear Blast X Imperial Recordings) on April 25th unveiling “ØUTSIDER”, “BØNESCRAPER”, “CHØKE ØN THE ASHES ØF YØUR HATE” and “ATØMIC REVELATIØNS” for Toronto to relish live.
Robb Flynn shared the inspiration behind the track “ØUTSIDER” which many can relate to, “It’s about a certain type of toxic person that comes into your life that drains you of everything that you have, when you’re done you’re just going what the fuck just happened. The type of person that loves to blame you for all their problems when they need to look into the motherfucking mirror. So if you know what I’m talking about ladies and gentlemen, this song is called, “ØUTSIDER”.
Flynn raised his fist, “Everybody fists!” as he sang, “Love is just a loaded gun!” an addictive catchphrase from “BØNESCRAPER”.
The anthemic “UNBØUND”, an instant fan favourite in heavy rotation and in promotion of the UNATØNED album did not appear in the set list. Perhaps a decision made to showcase the other unlocked gems on the new album.
Members were backlit by a wide screen projection of erupting volcanic lava in motion during “Davidian” – known for having one of the heaviest outros in groove metal, Flynn growled, “Make some noise!” echoing into the crowd burning eyes.
Flynn asked, “Do we have any old school motherfuckers in here tonight? Mr. Reece Scruggs is taking you back to 1999!” as the intro riff began for “From This Day”.
An intermission between songs, Flynn said, “This is the part of the show where I take a beer and throw it to the loudest part of the room!” Flynn broke into song of Queen’s, “We Are The Champions”.
Flynn commended a child fan on the balcony that stood up the entire set head banging, “That little man in the balcony you have been killing it! The fucking future of metal right there, fucking awesome!”
With a demanding encore, Machine Head topped the feast with “Halo”, a timeless treasure from The Blackening. Machine Head are visionaries of their craft embarking on a new path with UNATØNED, dedicated to their fans and deserving of the recognition.
Machine Head collaborated with In Flames, Lacuna Coil and Unearth on an exclusive all-stars track, “These Scars Won’t Define Us” prior to their UNATØNED album release when they announced the 2025 spring tour.
Meet your maker! Sweden’s In Flames swept the room with a knockout performance.
“Tomorrow we go back to America and I want to bring the memory with me. Open that shit up! Open that shit up! Everybody start running! Start running!” said vocalist Anders Friden sprinting into “Trigger”.
Friden stated, “Remember to show love and respect. This world is fucking crazy right now, we need more understanding.” Friden shared In Flame’s visit to Rodney’s Oyster House located in King West of downtown Toronto. “They can’t serve any more oysters this week, we ate them all!”
Both Friden and Flynn made a commentary about smartphones during their sets as Friden stated, “If there is any possible way – put the phone in your pocket!” Influential pioneers in their own right performing to an audience before smartphones existed and have now become a permanent fixture in today’s society reminds us to experience music by being present with our senses as music originated.
Gothic royalty Lacuna Coil shifted the mood following Unearth with “Layers Of Time. “Toronto are you out there! Let me hear you!” vocalist Cristina Scabbia asked the audience.
An icon with jet black hair and ordained with a velvet red hooded coat, Scabbia kicked up her black-laced boot on the speaker and introduced,
“Hosting The Shadow” from their latest release Sleepless Empire (Century Media).
“For this one, we would like to thank our dear friend Mr. Randy Blythe of Lamb Of God who graced this song with his voice. I hope you like it!”.
Alongside vocalist Andrea Ferro, bassist Marco Coti Zelati, touring guitarist Daniele Salomone and drummer Richard Meiz, “Gravity” elevated the audience into crowd surfing which transpired throughout their set.
A halo of white light shone down on Scabbia as she peered into the crowd, “I Wish You Were Dead, I Wish You Were” a powerful and standout moment to bear witness live for the outstanding track, “I Wish You Were Dead.” With a set list of nine songs, Lacuna Coil left Toronto hungry for more and a desire to return soon as a headliner.
With Machine Head and Lacuna Coil releasing new material in 2025 received with overwhelmingly positive feedback, both albums are bound to hit year-end lists. An impressive large crowd already trickled into the venue for Unearth despite the early set time and rush hour traffic in Toronto.
Explosive melodic metalcore for dinner, Unearth served the epic “Incinerate” to “Black Hearts Now Reign”. Although short, their high power set was the ultimate kick-starter as the evening unfolded.
The tour de force continues with extensive Canadian dates marching west to Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton and Kelowna. Unbound. Unbreakable. You’ll never tear us down!
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