Papa Roach and Nothing More continue to innovate

On Saturday night, MTELUS played host to a stacked bill of seasoned performers, including Escape The Fate, Nothing More, and headliners Papa Roach. Innovation and energy were key to this lineup, as each band knew they were in for a wild night in Montreal.

Post-hardcore veterans Escape The Fate were first up on the bill, a group that has entered it’s thirteenth year as a band do not seem to be slowing down. With a brand-new album in I Am Human, the band has explored some elements of pop, while still holding true to their edge. Playing three songs off the latest record as well as a few of their well-known hits, the group led by Craig Mabbitt on vocals.

Call them an opener all you want, but Nothing More made it seem like it was their night. The performance was something unique and special, built on pure energy. Jonny Hawkins, drummer-turned-vocalist and lead entertainer, thrashed around on stage, jumping from different instruments to center stage and back.

Featured on stage is what the band named ‘The Scorpion Tail,’ which was created using salvaged auto parts and scrap metal, standing over fourteen feet tall and being greater than four hundred pounds. Hawkins stood at the top of the device, pulling levers and twisting controls, as electronic, synth and bass noises would come from the beast, as the band played on.

Nothing More’s latest album came in September 2017, The Stories We Tell Ourselves, which was nominated for three Grammy Awards in Best Rock Performance, Best Rock Song, and Best Rock Album. Mixing nu metal with rocking, radio-friendly choruses, Nothing More takes mainstream hard rock and turns it on its head.

It was hard to follow up the performance, which was mentioned shortly after as lead vocalist of Papa Roach Jacoby Shaddix declared “it makes us have to come out to perform harder every night.” It’s hard to believe Papa Roach have been together (maybe not with entirely the same lineup) for almost twenty-five years, even though their first official album was Infest in 2000.

As part of the Crooked Teeth tour, Papa Roach mixed a lot of old and new, giving fans the classics such as “Last Resort” and “Scars.” One thing I easily noted was how rowdy the show was from the crowd perspective. As usual the Montreal crowd brought their A-Game, and Jacoby and co. fed from the energy. There’s a reason this show sold out, as each band was unique and offered their own take on modern rock music.

The tour rolls into Quebec City tonight and will be in western Canada for a handful of shows starting April 29 in Winnipeg, MB. The tour wraps up in Albuquerque, NM on May 9. For tickets and information visit www.paparoach.com/tour