A Night Of Metal In Montreal With Machine Head, That Blew The Roof Off The MTELUS
It was an unforgettable night of metal at the MTELUS in Montreal, as Machine Head headlined a powerhouse lineup featuring Unearth, Lacuna Coil, and In Flames.
Unearth kicked off the evening at 6 p.m., followed by Lacuna Coil. Due to some circumstances, I missed Unearth and part of Lacuna Coil’s set, but I was lucky enough to catch the final part, it was well worth it. The Italian metal veterans from Milan brought the energy full force, delivering a set packed with songs from their latest release Sleepless Empire, including “Layers of Time” and “Oxygen.” Their set also featured fan-favorites like “Blood, Tears, Dust” and “Never Dawn.” Cristina Scabbia and Andrea Ferro’s signature dual vocal interplay elevated the experience, getting the adrenaline pumping and the crowd primed for what was still to come.
Next up was In Flames, the Swedish death metal titans. Frontman Anders Friden, along with guitarist Bjorn Gelotte, Chris Broderick, Liam Wilson and Tanner Wayne, hit the stage with a thunderous 13-song set. Opening with “Cloud Connected,” “Take This Life,” and “Deliver Us,” they wasted no time getting the mosh pit moving. Friden proclaimed, “This is the best night of this tour, and we’ve only played five songs!” The crowd echoed his sentiment, especially as chaos broke loose during “Bullet Ride.” Crowd-surfing and moshing dominated their set, with the band sounding razor-sharp throughout. In Flames is a band that thrives live, and the mix of newer tracks and old-school bangers made their performance one of the night’s most memorable. Their hour-long set was intense, energetic, and left the crowd wanting more.
Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for. As the haunting notes of Ozzy Osbourne’s "Diary of a Madman" played through the speakers, followed by “In Comes the Flood,” the room erupted and it signified Machine Head’s return to Montreal.
With a stage backdrop resembling an apocalyptic plague and their trademark aggression and technical precision, Machine Head unleashed a massive 13-song set. They opened with heavy hitters “Imperium,” “Ten Ton Hammer,” and “Choke on the Ashes of Your Hate,” setting the tone for a relentless performance. Robb Flynn, as always, was a commanding presence—launching circle pits, rallying the crowd, and delivering every line with his trademark roar. The audience responded in full force, slam-dancing, headbanging, and chanting “MACHINE – F***ING – HEAD!” between songs with pure devotion.
The energy never dropped as Machine Head tore through selections spanning their entire catalog, including new material from Unatoned. The band was tight, ferocious, and clearly feeding off the energy of a packed venue filled with dedicated fans. As they closed the night with the epic “Halo,” the room felt absolutely electric.
Montreal’s metalheads brought their A-game, and Machine Head matched them every step of the way. This wasn’t just another metal show, it was a full-on assault of sound, power, and connection between the bands and the fans. A truly unforgettable night at MTELUS.
If you want to see if Machine Head is coming to a city near you visit:
https://www.machinehead1.com/pages/tour
Review and Photos By: SD Photoart MTL - Sam D
