In a scene that is all too familiar with loss to addiction or mental health, it is important to show up for each other, both in times of need and when things seem fine on the surface. We as a heavy music scene are all contributing to build community and solidarity. One place where this especially rings true is in the pit. If someone falls, they get picked back up without question.
The mission of the night? Showing up for CAMH, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. All proceeds from this 5-band bill featuring Outlier, Head, Flesh Prison, On Burning Shores, and Pneumonia Breath, as well as a portion of pop up sales were all donated to CAMH.
As soon as the doors opened, the energy was palpable. People weren’t just there to mosh, they were there to show up for each other. But my god, the pit was more than just a pit, it seemed to be a cathartic experience for everyone in it. If you’re from Toronto, you know what it’s like being at Hard Luck at a sold out metal show. The stage is more of a suggestion than a boundary, and the only barrier is where the singer meets the front row for gang vocals.
Opening the show was the Toronto band Heat. Representing the hardcore scene on the bill, they surely set the expectation that the evening wasn’t going to be a calm night in the pit.
Outlier, a Montreal post-hardcore outfit, quietly checks the boxes of a classic post-hardcore band. The band was surgically precise and overall, their live sound was reminiscent of the Icelandic band Celestine’s At The Borders of Arcadia. IYKYK.
Just when people thought they were going to get a minute to catch their breath, Flesh Prison comes on and destroys all hope of rest. With a name born to be written in chicken scratch, this tried and true Deathcore band gave the speakers’ low end an absolute workout. With an onslaught of guttural vocals and blast beats, Flesh Prison served up old-school Suicide Silence esque riffs and the most brutal breakdowns.
On Burning Shores was a special set, being the first time they’ve stepped on stage as a band in 13 years. There was a big sense of nostalgia. With their only release on Spotify being a 2009 release, you got to hear classic metalcore riffs that felt like they should be opening for Parkway Drive during their Horizons tour cycle.
Closing out the night was Toronto’s own Pneumonia Breath. With the two shows on the weekend being their first performances in thirteen months, there wasn’t a speck of rust. One thing was evident from the moment they stepped on stage: these guys are well loved by those in the heavy music community. Whether fans knew the words or not, everyone wanted to be at the front, taking in every ounce of energy being given out.
They also dedicated their set to the friends of the scene that have been lost, a heavy vital reminder of why we were all there supporting CAMH. The task of the evening was simple: support the scene, support the cause, and go buy some merch. Over $5000 was donated to CAMH as a result of this show.
You can stream bands like Pneumonia Breath, On Burning Shores, Flesh Prison, Outlier, and Heat on our Spotify Playlists. Save the playlists as new music is added weekly.
Leave a Reply