Photos and Review by David De La Huerta
What an amazing way to start my concern season with a jam-packed, sold-out show at Lee’s Palace. People were waiting outside despite the freezing cold and the threat of a winter storm to see Rotting Christ with Special Guests Carach Angren, UADA and Gaerea.
The first band to appear on the stage was GAEREA, the incognito masked musicians all the way from Portugal. It is pretty common for the majority of concert attendees to show up after the opening act has played, but not this time. Gaerea drew a full capacity crowd and the spectators were ready to head bang along to their set. The lead singer was all over the stage and had intense energy and an incredible presence. The band warmed up the crowd with a total of five songs, mostly off their latest album Mirage that was released last year.
The next act on the bill was melodic black metal band haling from Portland, Oregon, UADA (which means haunted in Latin). The set vibe was dark with the lead singer taking the stage with lights from sticks of incense, and a lot of smoke. The rest of the band slowly creeped onto the stage as they started to play “The Purging Fire.”
UADA played the majority of their songs from their albums Cult of a Dying Sun and Djinn Giving. Jake Superchi (Guitars and Vocals), James Sloan (Guitars), Josh Lovejoy (Drums) and Nate Verschoor (Base) gave the audience a theatrical experience that was reminiscent of a ceremony used to evoke spirits.
Setlist:
The Purging Fire
Djinn
Snakes & Vultures
Cult of a Dying Sun
Black Autumn, White Spring
The night continued and it was time for Carach Angren from Amsterdam. The Dutch band members appeared from backstage and jumped right into what ended up being a phenomenal set for the Torontonians. Seregor (lead singer) with his voice and charisma was very energetic during their performance and the audience responded by creating a crazy mosh pit that took up pretty much the entire floor of Lee’s Palace.
Ardek with his synthesizer and backing vocals, Bastiaan on guitars and Gabe Seeber with his Drums had the audience throwing up devil horns and waving their hands in the air throughout their set. The band played several songs from their 2020 album Franckensteina Strataemontanus such as “Monster,” “The Necromancer” and some other kickass songs. One song that really got my attention was “Operation Compass” which narrates the true story of an event behind a special operation during World War II. It was evil sounding and the fans loved it.
Setlist:
Electronic Voice Phenomena
The Ghost of Raynham Hall
The Carriage Wheel Murder
The Necromancer
Bitte Tötet Mich
Operation Compass
Franckensteina Strataemontanus
A Strange Presence Near the Woods
Monster
Bloodstains on the Captain’s Log
It was time for the main act of the night, Rotting Christ. Although the band hasn’t released a new album in a while, they did surprise fans when they put an EP in 2022 with previously unreleased material from their early days.
The legendary Greek Black Metal formed by Sakis Tolis (vocals, guitars) and his brother Themis Tolis (drums) with Kostis Foukarakis (guitars, backing vocals) and Kostas Heliotis (bass, backing vocals) delivered a set that the audience will never forget.
Rotting Christ started strong playing fan favorites “666” and “Kata Ton Daimona Eaytoy.” Another fan favorite was “Non Serviam.” The band delivered their set with so much energy and enthusiasm that the fans went nuts.
Rotting Christ still has a few more Canadian dates as well as more US cities to visit, and will continue touring Europe in the Spring. So, do me a favor and don’t miss this great opportunity to see the legendary Rotting Christ on this extraordinary Tour.
Setlist:
666
Kata Ton Daimona Eaytoy
Fire, God and Fear
Dub-sag-ta-ke
Apage Satana
Elthe Kyrie
Demonon Vrosis
Societas Satanas
Non Serviam
In Yumen-Xibalba
Grandis Spiritus Diavolos
The Raven
Encore:
Noctis Era
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