Rap, Riffs, Metalcore and a Different Kind of Heavy at the Grey Eagle

It was a different feeling stepping into the photo pit at the Grey Eagle Resort and Casino on Saturday night. Putting aside the fact that I had misread the email, the first band hit the stage at 6:30, not doors. So I rushed to get my gear on, nearly tearing my press pass in two, stuffing it into my ID holder, camera strap and lanyard competing for my neck at the same time. I couldn’t help but notice it wasn’t the usual vibe. The patch-filled vests were nowhere to be found. The leather, denim and long hair, nowhere in sight. This was still a heavy show, but a different kind of heavy. 

Opening the night was Columbus, Ohio’s own Doobie. A name the rap/rocker adjusted based on his original rap name of E Dub, aka E Doobie, after his brother suggested just using the Doobie. This set was a reminder of the connection between rap and heavy genres. A callback to the days of Anthrax and Public Enemy. The set wasn’t what I expected. It was personal while also not falling into preachy territory. Doobie shared stories of struggle, growth and a reminder that you just need to not give a shit what other people think and just go for it. A lesson he followed, which led to opening for Nothing More on this tour. It wasn’t all serious subject matter though. The set included songs about whisky, crazy people and even a cover of Danzig’s Mother. If you like the mix of rap and rock you’re going to want to check out Doobie. 

Archers took to the stage next. A first for Calgary, this band tore the roof off Grey Eagle with their blend of heavy riffs, chest-pounding beats, and mix of clean and harsh vocals. While their stage presence was a little more reserved than the exuberant Doobie, the music made up for the lack of performative action. As is always the case with bands playing in Alberta, the band made sure to invoke the Edmonton/Calgary rivalry, letting the crowd know they were being measured against the night before. Calgary won, of course. 

The night continued with Catch Your Breath. This four-piece out of Austin, Texas put on a Metalcore clinic. The songs were tight, backed with plenty of atmosphere and a light show to match the energy. The set consisted of these little breaks between the tracks, like the flow of a story. While I have seen some comments online that these could have been replaced and a couple extra songs put in their place, I rather enjoyed the entire experience. This is where the crowd really opened up for the night. Sure, there was a well-deserved pit during the Archers set, but Catch Your Breath took it a step further by challenging the crowd to see how many crowd surfers they could pull during the final track of the night, Shame On Me. If I counted correctly, a respectable 20 crowd surfers answered the call.

The final act for the night, headliners Nothing More, took to the stage after what I would describe as a 10-minute dystopian-style intro. I don’t think many of the fans were paying much attention, but unlike the usual pre-recorded playlist most bands pipe in before hitting the stage, this was a welcome difference in the setup. Hearing this, I figured the band would put on a different style of show. I was right. This set was a mix of the feels and still wanting to tear the floor up in the pit. It’s not just rage-fuelled music; it covers a whole range of emotions across various styles of “heavy”. I could tell the vast majority of the fans came for Nothing More. They showed respect for the openers, but they live for this band. The most interactive set of the night, not only with the audience knowing their parts to sing but with Jonny coming off stage during the 3rd song, “Dark”, for an impromptu “meet and greet” with a few fans. The band was also interacting with those of us in the photo pit, something I don’t see with many bands these days. While this was also the most lighting-intensive set of the night, it was not over the top. They put on a show that let the music be the star and the set served its purpose, but was never a distraction. During “Free Fall”, the lead singer from Archers joined, adding his incredible vocal styling to the song. Then came the most over-the-top drum solo of the night that turned into duelling drum solos that turned into a guitar solo that turned into a bass solo! It doesn’t end there. The bass solo turns into a two-man bass solo, and then the lead singer joins in, adding drumsticks on the bass strings to the mix. Given the choice between 4 songs, one a NIN cover, the crowd chose Spirits. If you ask me though, it was clearly the NIN song that had the louder reaction. 

While I spend most of my time in far heavier territory, I can see the mass appeal of these bands. They promote positivity and healing through their music. The fans could be seen singing along at the top of their lungs, dancing and even headbanging. I even noticed a few fans of the older generation out there, and as someone in his early fifties, I don’t use that term lightly. I’m pretty sure a few in the crowd screaming along were well into their seventies.  That’s generational reach you don’t find often with heavy bands. 

The tour wraps up soon with 7 dates left, so if you’re on the fence, get off it. This isn’t a show you need to love every band on the bill to enjoy. It’s an accessible night of heavy music that reminds you why live shows matter. Get out there.