Venue: History
Location: Toronto
One of the best new venues in town, Drake compromised on nothing from audio and lighting to water refill stations and adequate sight lines. Parking around back is a bit steep at $25 but the one way out makes it worse after shows. Luckily there is an abundance of Green P spaces around like on the street out front, the two lots around back, and a few more down the side-streets should you arrive early enough. Doors were early for this evening, with security kicking things off right at 5:30pm.
After making some good friends in line and sharing in some hilarity, we all made our way inside, happy to be out of the increasing frigid temperatures of what we’d forgotten is a February evening. I make no plays when I tell you that the first 20 people inside made their way to the Orbit Culture merch booth while the others were scarce. Save for two people at the barricade, it was easy to see that OC had quickly garnered an ever-growing fanbase whose priorities were merch before positioning.
I took my preferred spot at the barricade, as I’d chosen to come for Orbit Culture above any others, and last show when they’d opened for Avatar I’d been in front of Richard so it was time to watch Fredrik shine. Friendly faces joined me, alongside a few more folks who picked their spots along the rail offering a nod and keeping some space. The crowd was a delightful mix of metalheads from the old veterans, hardened by years of industrial and progressive sound to new listeners finding their place in the scene. Most seemed simply excited to be there, meeting with old friends and sharing stories before the lights went down.
Gates To Hell opened, to which I’d heard nothing about. The energy of this band was contagious with everyone offering up energetic bursts of chaotic movements from windmills to jumps. It was entertaining, with a doom and groove feel as vocals seemed too low to really notice. Being front row you heard some growls but I doubt those further back heard much for vocals if any. To be honest, I enjoyed the instrumentals quite a bit and the band holds a talent that I hope to see flourish.
The band I and many had been waiting for took the stage in almost an instant. The pit of anxiety and excitement that had mixed within me was soon dashed as members rolled onto the stage. Roars erupted from the crowd, horns in the air and energy absolutely amplified to the rafters. It took only the notes of “Saw” ‘s intro to get that energy through the roof with myself and fellow fans bouncing to the beat. I was in awe, with any ounce of doubt and fear obliterated by Niklas’s vocals prowess and the band’s enigmatic power washing over the crowd.
Heaviness conquered this set as “Alienated” erupted and so did the pit. Chris’ bludgeoning drum work shattered our bodies, as even earplugs couldn’t remove the impact of his weighted performance. Both Fredrik and Richard moved about the stage bringing full tilt bass and guitar work to fans, up-front and personal. One of my more recent favourites “Black Mountain” came up and the crowd shifted with anticipation. It’s a song that had grown on many and gained traction almost overnight. Niklas’ vocals were spot on for this track (as others of course) but the expectations for this song to be on the setlist cranked up the tension and he hit every growl and scream with flawless power.
“Descent” kept that weighted performance in the forefront with the crowd shifting from the pit to thrash dancing and throwing up the horns. Applause and howls echoed throughout and I brought the “We are all ONE with OC” sign out for display. Fredrik’s acknowledgement was a blessing to my rambunctious heart and the subsequent guitar pick for recognition gave me a smile even if not necessary.
“From The Inside” cooled the tension with fans almost silent in hopes of hearing one of the best performances OC has to offer. I fought back tears for a song that had so much personal impact for myself and Niklas’ emotional cry at the song’s finale almost broke me. It was stunning, leaving the crowd breathless as the music washed over us like needed rain.
Their December EP – The Forgotten saw “While We Serve” placed upon the setlist as it has now pulled up more than 1 million streams on Spotify alone. The calm and wordless crowd had almost stopped moving entirely but the moment that song began the pit erupted into absolute madness with only three rows at the barricade able to stay put. It was calamity through smiling faces and excited eyes. An entirely contagious feeling of freedom and fun.
The closure came with the ever popular “Vultures of North“. My time to go ballistic as if I hadn’t already. OC belted out their best as they’d done all night and I reciprocated. Hair waving, head thrashing, horns and sign in the air I sang and screamed my soul out, dancing and moving to every second. It was unreal and it all seemed to go by so quickly. Many had come for OC, some hadn’t seen them but were excited by the chance and none left disappointed. I am beyond excited for OC in Europe. The recognition these guys are getting now is more than well-deserved and the sell out crowds for their European headline tour better be ready to SERVE as North America awaits their headline tour in the near future.
I hadn’t planned to stick around too late but the intrigue of my youth to see Fear Factory again, renewed, was too much to ignore. I’d moved myself from the barricade to offer it up to more hardened fans and took a stance by merch. As expected, the signature industrial sound of the band exploded over the crowd to a reply of howls and horns raised high. Fear Factory had seen some lineup changes over the decades and while some went in critical, others went in to embrace nostalgia which was heart-warming to see.
Playing the old favourites like “Powershifter” and “Linchpin“, the crowd ate up every bit of the band’s performance with hysteria. I remain skeptical as the sound seemed to jump around for their set, sitting low and then bouncing back up a few notches and I wasn’t sure if it was simple backing tracks or technical issues that had me suspicious of how dead-on their sound was compared to on record. I expect top notch from bands coming out live but never do I expect recording studio quality and this seemed too 10/10. However, Milo’s performance had improved significantly since his start with the band which garnered my admiration to the man’s commitment and dedication to keeping Fear Factory as authentic as possible.
However, the man dancing in line for Merch to most of their set absolutely made the performance worth it over and over again. And I would’ve paid $100+ just to see him dance his heart out to Fear Factory with that unbeatable smile on his face.
I, unfortunately, didn’t stick around for Machinehead. They’re said and done for me and after too much repetition, it wasn’t a need for me to witness by any means. I heard nothing but good things, with fans and friends raving about their performance. But after saying goodnight to friends (old, new, and best) I made my way home, happy as could be to have seen Orbit Culture once again, and hopefully again soon.
Gates To Hell are solid up and comers, with years of potential at their fingertips. I hope the sound issues encountered were a one off, and I hope to see them again in the future.
Fear Factory was absolute nostalgia and a treat for fans old and new. Classic tracks and sing-along sections made for one hell of a stage show, and I can’t wait to see how far Milo and the band can go.
Photos by disconnectedexitsign
Valkyrjian 