Chiodos @ La Tulipe

Let's get this out of the way, I love Chiodos. I know their limitations, and I realize that a lot of their songs aren't "metal enough," but frankly, I don't care. Out of the crop of generic, long since forgotten bands that were their brethren, I think they were the closest to metal that you could get, and I think they were a gateway for a lot of people to get into "real metal," and that this fact alone is enough to establish them as a band with a great legacy.

Now, with that out of the way, let's talk about the concert.

After assuming that the posted time of 7:00 PM meant doors (apparently we've entered a time when that is something that no one explains), I managed to miss Nodirectionhome, a band from Montreal, who I am actually sorry I missed after listening to their Bandcamp. For those who are curious, their EP is "Pay What You Want," so if you want to give it a listen, download it, strap it into your portable music machine and then go see them next time they do stuff.

Instead, I was able to be disgustingly treated to a generic band called Call Of Saints. I managed to hear three songs from them, and immediately judged them... harshly. So harshly in fact, that I'm going to do one of the worst things that I can do to a band, and not mention anything about them.

Next came a band called This Is Awesome, a five piece from Montreal who I do not get. First, I appreciate that they ingratiate themselves with their fans by throwing out free glow bracelets. I actually think that's a respectable thing for a band for a band to do, to give something the fans can take home and remember. However, do I think that a guy in a tuxedo body suit is the best way to do it? Not so much. It's also strange because this band seems like a hold over from a forgotten time when bands like Silverstein and the Starting Line were doing things on independent charts, also known as the heyday of Drive-Thru Records and Fueled By Ramen. Yet, they started in 2011. Initially, I found myself wondering what side projects the various members wished they were in because of their dull, lifeless looks. However, by the end of the set, I had changed my opinion, and all of them were actually working really well together and were putting out an energy that I really appreciated. Although I still think they were sucked in from a time warp, I don't mind.

Finally, Chiodos came out, and surprisingly starting with a song from Craig Owens' other band D.R.U.G.S. I find the history of this band interesting. After releasing two fantastic albums, the band broke up, with Owens splitting ways from the others. He went on to do D.R.UG.S (Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows) while Chiodos put out another album called Illuminaudio with a different lead singer. After what I can only imagine was a combination of terrible record sales from each and time, they announced that the two parties would reunite and would begin touring and writing music again. So, after seven years, a new album Devil is set to be released on Razor & Tie on April 1st.

It was always my firm belief that Chiodos was a band that was underrated in the way that they were able to bridge the gap between screamo and metal and be able to navigate that line so well and with great deft, and they showed that they can still do it. It was only after I got back to write this article that I was informed by the all-knowing Internet that the guitarist, who was doing some pretty great guitar work while being super high energy, was in fact the former lead singer and guitarist from Fall of Troy. So, in other words, while I wasn't looking, Chiodos became a super group.

Owens apologized after the first song, saying that he canceled the show the night before in Quebec City because he had lost his voice, and wasn't sure how he would perform. He then spent the next hour outshining every vocalist that had performed that night, and many other singers that I recall from concerts in recent memory. I don't understand how someone can have such a versatile breadth of vocal abilities and range and pre-empt that with, "I could do better if I wasn't sick."

After this, I still have reservations about the new album, but if they come by again, I will not miss it, and I recommend you also go see it because it will be well worth your money and time.