Toronto’s Heavy Metal scene indulges the eclectic and electrified almost every night of the week and Friday night was no different.

Fan favourites Lorna Shore ignited Toronto’s History for a sold-out evening with special guests Sanguisugabogg, Kublai Khan TX and Whitechapel energizing the crowds. Before stepping foot inside the venue, it was evident to see History was packed to the brim with the parking lot over-flowing and throngs of fans barely inches from the entrance.

Sanguisugabogg has just started their set with the bludgeoning of “Face Ripped Off” that had me both awe-struck and curious. For a band whose sound I found to be diluted and muffled on recording, their entire set was clean and clear with both vocals and instrumentals balancing out. It was a quick set, but one still packed with fury as fans embraced the band’s every whim to thrash, dance, and smash their way around the floor. 7 songs ended with the popular “Dead as Shit” that had the crowd riled for one last fight, numbers accumulating quickly as bodies crashed into one another in a frenzy of joy with a touch of madness.

I’d also like to note that the other bands being able to perfectly pronounce ‘Sanguisugabogg‘ while some of us resorted to ‘Squishingamannamedbob’, is astonishing. Hats off to all of you. (But our version is also still befitting when you think of the band name’s actual meaning.)

Texas heavy-hitters Kublai Khan TX rolled up, the crowd still energized and packing the floor waiting for the lights to drop. Matt Honeycutt wasted no time amplifying the crowd’s madness with barks and fist pumps that called for a traditional Texas Tornado to engulf the floor.

With that began with “Supreme Ruler” transitioned into “Theory of Mind” and an eager fanbase dying to sing along. That same energy took over the floor, with even new listeners head-banging to tracks like “The Hammer” before being swarmed by the “Antpile“. Having gazed upon the crowd more than once, it wasn’t hard to spot the sea of Kublai fans that had come out in droves to see these southern bells crush expectations.

With feral energy ablaze, deathcore leaders Whitechapel called upon the masses to hit the floor with unbridled fury. “This Is Exile” pulled all eyes to the stage, jaws of onlookers hitting the floor for what was new to some but oh so familiar to many. It was no surprise Whitechapel had their own numbers in the crowd with years of popularity pushing them forward.

A small hiccup with the first three tracks lead to Phil’s vocals becoming muddled, a specific oddity noticed by much of the crowd due to his sheer, raw vocal prowess being shown over by instrumentals. But, after delay, the sound seemed to even out, and Whitechapel’s power came full circle.

The newer “A Visceral Retch” had fans jumping, crowd-surfing, and ensnared in chaos as bodies were literally being tossed around from one side of the venue to the other. It was both terrifying and amazing. Signature “The Saw is the Law” closed out the evening with blood, sweat, and sing-along to the very end. Fans chanting “Whitechapel!” until the lights came up to their disappointment but not to their despair.

It was go time for headliners Lorna Shore to hit the stage with vocal prophet Will Ramos eager to once again show Toronto the degree of their own power. A short technical delay lead to a hilarious reset mere moments after hitting the stage, but Will’s carefree attitude quickly had fans in agreement, and the show restarted without further delay. It was sort of fitting with the track’s title of “Welcome Back, O Sleeping Dreamer” as if meant to be by an alarm clock slammed breakdown.

The Pain Remains album is more of an experience than a mere album. One meant to be listened to in full, read and understood as a journey rather than a puzzle and seeing it performed live was nothing short of inspirational. And once “Sun//Eater“, one of my personal favourites, commenced, the crowd’s once calm, attentive demeanor had been washed away. Fans soaring over one another, singing along and raising their horns in excitement.

Rising to the occasion for a harsh vocal showdown was Kublai Khan TX‘s Matt Honeycutt to accompany Will Ramos on one of the wildest stage moments of the night. It was beautiful, powerful, and so emotionally charged it was hard to remember it was a concert.

“Cursed To Die” took hold, the crowd once more eager to please the band’s every call. Answering solos with cries for more. Raising arms in unity. And throwing themselves over the barricade to show their own passion in response.

Rarely played tracks like “Apotheosis” had the crowd near silence. Awe-struck by the performance as the band’s emotionally charged display cascaded fans like heavy rain. It was powerful and full of depth, with no band member whimpering about, bringing their all into the light.

As the evening began to wind down, the Pain Remains saga commenced, putting forth the emotion and raw expression that only Lorna Shore could truly portray. As I’d mentioned, the album, as a whole, was a journey, and this brought that journey together for one of the most brilliant moments of the night.

Fans, not in a hurry to leave, cried out for more. Chants flowing from the balcony to the open doors at the front of the venue, pleading for just one more. So “To the Hellfire” we were serenaded, a performance that belted out the harsh with the highs, leaving nothing to remain as Lorna Shore took rapture of the evening; cries of a delighted crowd echoing as they left the stage.

For a night filled with meshed fandoms, gentle followers, and the loud and proud, Lorna Shore easily brought everyone together in the room, hushing them when needed, and serenading them across an emotionally raw journey through reflection, discovery, pain, and regret.

If you didn’t get a chance to see half the bands because you were stuck in the Merch line, there’s a Lorna Shore highlight over on my Instagram page. And if you’ve got the itch to see Lorna Shore live, you may still be able to snag some tickets at their upcoming shows across the US.