Presented by Live Nation – 2025 North American Tour
This Show was a collision of eras, legacies, and presence. Live Nation brought together four bands that transformed the night into something unforgettable. It was a journey — from Unearth’s explosive opening strike, through the cinematic depth of Lacuna Coil, into the calculated fury of In Flames, and finally to the iron-fisted crown held by Machine Head.
Unearth – The Flame That Lit the Fuse
Unearth hit the stage with full-force immediacy. Trevor Phipps’ vocals were cutting and urgent — his delivery never letting the energy dip. Guitarist Buz McGrath led the charge with searing lead lines, while Peter Layman provided a thick, anchoring rhythm. Chris O’Toole’s bass tone had grit and impact, and Mike Justian, back behind the kit, was a machine — delivering every blast and transition with muscle and finesse.
There was no easing in. No waiting around. Just unfiltered power and conviction from the very first downbeat.
“Unearth didn’t open the show — they kicked the door down.”
Lacuna Coil – Theatrical and Thunderous
Lacuna Coil’s set felt less like a performance and more like a story unfolding — precise, immersive, and emotionally vivid. This current lineup, with Daniele Salomone on guitar, is tighter than ever, and Toronto got to feel the full impact of that evolution.
And let’s not forget — they’re proudly and powerfully Italian. It shows in their elegance, their intensity, and the emotional nuance they carry into every song. There’s something unmistakably soulful and cinematic in the way Lacuna Coil presents their music, and this night was no exception. They didn’t just show up to play — they showed up to connect. With every note, they offered something deeper.
Full Setlist – Toronto:
1. Layers of Time – A fierce opener. Cristina Scabbia’s voice soared over the venue, while Andrea Ferro matched her energy with striking force.
2. Reckless – Delivered with precision and urgency. Daniele’s guitar tone was punchy and controlled.
3. Hosting the Shadow – Even without its featured guest, this song dominated the room. Cristina brought an eerie intimacy to her parts.
4. Gravity – Deep, haunting, and steady. Marco Coti Zelati’s bass lines moved like an undercurrent through the fog.
5. Our Truth – Still an anthem. Richard Meiz’s drums elevated the song, keeping everything sharp and relentless.
6. Trip the Darkness – Cristina’s phrasing was hypnotic. This one hit like a vision rather than a song.
7. I Wish You Were Dead – A surge of emotion. Andrea’s vocals exploded here with full conviction.
8. Oxygen – Dark, modern textures. The industrial feel came through clearly — brooding and atmospheric.
9. Never Dawn – A final exhale of weight and elegance. A perfect closer.
Cristina Scabbia stood at the center like a force of nature — commanding but never theatrical for the sake of it. Every word felt lived-in. Andrea Ferro, grounded and dynamic, balanced her perfectly — switching from confessional to explosive with conviction. Daniele Salomone, now cemented in the lineup, brought a tight modern edge that gave older songs new life. Marco Coti Zelati, not just a bassist but the band’s sonic architect, carved deep, immersive tones that shaped the emotional depth of the set. And Richard Meiz — precise, present, and charismatic — anchored everything with movement and soul behind the kit.
They are more than a band. They are a cultural force — Italian excellence in motion, and proof that metal can be as emotional as it is heavy. Seeing Lacuna Coil live is never just about hearing your favorite songs. It’s about feeling them live inside you.
“Lacuna Coil doesn’t chase trends — they shape atmosphere with discipline and fire.”
In Flames – A Discography of Devastation, Reimagined Live
In Flames brought history and evolution into one tightly woven performance. Anders Fridén’s vocals were controlled and commanding — shifting between intensity and vulnerability with ease.
Setlist Breakdown:
1. Cloud Connected – The crowd was instantly locked in. A unifying start.
2. Take This Life – Explosive and clean. Björn Gelotte and Chris Broderick were a masterclass in balance and tone.
3. Deliver Us – One of the most emotional songs of the night. Anders was fully in his zone.
4. In the Dark – Slow-burning tension. The stage lights dimmed, and the emotion took center stage.
5. Voices – Driving and sharp. Tanner Wayne and Liam Wilson gave this one its stomp and groove.
6. Coerced Coexistence – A deep cut that had the longtime fans lighting up.
7. Bullet Ride – Still cuts like a knife. The entire band moved like one instrument.
8. Trigger – A live favorite, and the crowd proved why.
9. Meet Your Maker – Bold and tight, vocally and musically.
10. State of Slow Decay – Uncompromising. Possibly the heaviest moment of the night.
11. Mirrors Truth – Bright chaos. Complex and controlled.
12. I Am Above – A highlight for Anders’ vocal range — fierce and proud.
13. My Sweet Shadow – Closing on this was poetic. Still hits in all the right places.
Björn Gelotte and Chris Broderick created a wall of melody and destruction — classic and modern intertwined. Tanner Wayne delivered a standout performance on drums: versatile, intense, and seamless. Liam Wilson held down the low end with eerie subtlety and strength, and Anders was a storm front from start to finish.
“In Flames didn’t come to repeat history — they came to ignite it again.”
Machine Head – The Iron Reign
If the night needed a ruler, Machine Head claimed it without question. Robb Flynn was more than a frontman — he was a storyteller, a leader, and an absolute force.
Full Setlist – Toronto:
1. Imperium – A colossal start. The call of “Hear me now” unleashed a tidal wave of voices from the crowd.
2. Ten Ton Hammer – Groovy and crushing.
3. CHØKE ØN THE ASHES ØF YØUR HATE – Fast, furious, and cathartic.
4. Now We Die – Emotional yet forceful.
5. Catharsis – A moment of release, balancing heaviness and feeling.
6. ØUTSIDER – Speed and rebellion.
7. Locust – Slow-burning and menacing.
8. BØNESCRAPER – Violent and visceral.
9. ATØMIC REVELATIØNS – Suffocating and massive.
10. Bulldozer – No-frills aggression.
11. From This Day – Old-school energy and renewed spirit.
12. Davidian – Iconic — the room shook under the power of that chant.
Encore:
13. Halo – Grand, emotional, and cinematic.
Jared MacEachern brought thunder with every bass strike. Matt Alston, behind the kit, was all fire and clarity. Reece Scruggs, the newest addition, played with precision and ferocity, fully locking in with Robb’s vision.
“Machine Head is the sound of fury with purpose—unfiltered and unapologetically real.”
The Final Word
This night wasn’t just a lineup. It was a full-circle experience for every type of metal fan — seasoned, new, melodic, extreme. Four distinct energies. One unforgettable thread.
If this tour is heading to your city, don’t think twice. Buy the ticket. Feel the weight of the riffs, the sweat in the pit, the voices screaming in unison. Stand close to the speakers. Sing until your voice breaks. Because these aren’t just concerts — they’re declarations. Nights like this remind you who you are… and why we all still show up.
Support the Bands – Official Merchandise
Want to carry a piece of the night with you? Grab official merchandise and directly support the bands that gave so much onstage:
• Machine Head – Official Store
• In Flames – Official Store
• Lacuna Coil – Official Store
• Unearth – Official Store
Buying official merch not only supports the bands directly — it keeps the spirit of nights like this alive.
- If this show lit something inside you — if even one song stayed humming in your chest — pass it on.
- Tell someone. Share the memory.
And if you post about it, let the bands know they left their mark. They carried us — now we carry it forward.
