La Belle Angele is becoming a somewhat regular venue this year, and I have no complaints at all as I am here again. This time, it’s to catch up with those polite Canadians The Birthday Massacre, but first up we have two support bands: the touring support, Lesbian Bed Death, and on selected dates, Diamond Black. As luck would have it, tonight is one of those selected dates.
The Diamond Black boys stroll onto the stage led by Ben Christo of Sisters of Mercy fame, and with him in the rhythm section, we have Adam Hart on bass/backing vocals and Vincent Velazco on drums. I caught the boys here before in 2023 when they opened for Esprit D’Air, so I knew roughly what to expect. Surprisingly, they have not long released their first ever EP, Dark Anthems, and we get a few off it tonight.
Ben has an impressive voice, as shown in the melodic, soaring “In Venom”. The song has many changes as it soars up and down with some fantastic guitar work from Ben, and the pounding rhythm section of Vincent and Adam just keep it all moving along. Just an excellent song live.
The first track off the EP, “Fall Into The Silence”, is an intense melodic song with some excellent vocals from Ben which are so intense at times as the guitar drops to his side and he screams the lyrics into the mic. I’ve seen them described as Gothic AOR and I can kind of get that with this song. Impressive.
The guitar launches into “Dark Anthems” with Adam’s bass lines following suit before the vocals kick in. A powerful, guitar-infused song which Ben said was all about those songs and music that get you through those dark times, and we’ve all been there at times.
We have a few other songs in the short but powerful set tonight including “Sorrow”, which was dedicated to those people who struggle to get out to gigs, etc., but somehow still manage to do it. A potent song with haunting vocals and superb guitar work from Ben.
I thought the boys were on fire tonight, delivering a thoroughly enjoyable set, and you could see they were enjoying being up there as well, which showed. I would love to see a headline show from the boys to let them stretch out a bit more. If they are in your neck of the woods, go check them out if you like powerful melodic music played and sung well.
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So, another band I’ve seen before but across the road in Bannermans, the always entertaining Lesbian Bed Death, who are the touring support on this run of dates. In true LBD form, it’s a slightly different band from the one I saw at Bannermans in 2022, with a new singer, extra guitarist, and new bass player, I think.
The band were enjoyable last time, but singer JJ has a more powerful melodic voice which comes across well in songs like “The Antichrist”, and I like the twin guitar sound which is much fuller and more punchy. The guitar sound on this song was excellent, with some superb drumming and bass lines carrying it all along on top of JJ’s vocals. She also has a much better stage presence.
The guitars kick in for “Chains” along with some killer drumming. A more classic rock-sounding song with soaring vocals and crunching guitars and bass lines. Excellent stuff.
The drums and bass kick in as we meet the “Satanic Suicide Sex Cult”. The guitars have a great, full-on riff attack on this song with some nice soloing as JJ’s voice soars alongside, with some tasty drumming keeping the rhythm flowing. A great song with a good, punchy, song-title chorus.
The band ends a short but very enjoyable set with “I Use My Powers for Evil” from the 2006 album, I Use My Powers for Evil. The drums kick in with a tasty rhythm, and that backbeat is the heart of this song. There is a groove being laid down by the band that is infectious, which combined with JJ’s voice makes this a very hypnotic song, and you can’t help but move to the beat. Loved this song.
The band have clearly moved on a lot from when I last saw them, with a much fuller sound which definitely helps their songs, especially the older ones. It feels like they have grown up as a band since I last saw them, and it’s certainly for the better. Another band for you all to get out there and check out if they are in your neck of the woods.
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The main event now with Canadian band The Birthday Massacre. The band formed in 1999 in Ontario. The current lineup consists of lead vocalist Sara ‘Chibi’ Taylor, rhythm guitarist Michael Rainbow, lead guitarist Michael Falcore, keyboardist Owen Mackinder, drummer Philip Elliott, and bassist Brett Carruthers.
They have a fair musical catalogue to pick from tonight. The atmospheric instrumental “Night Shift” creates the right mood as the band launch into the first of three from the excellent new album Pathways with the pulsating, guitar-fed “Sleep Tonight”. The song has quite the ethereal quality about it, largely thanks to the haunting vocals of Chibi and the keyboards of Owen. Quite a compelling song live.
We also get “The Vanishing Game” from the same album, with some amazing keyboards from Owen that just carry you along as Chibi’s voice just floats along in tune with the keyboards. It reminded me a bit of Lacuna Coil in sections. Truly a fantastic song and a personal favourite from the new album.
The guitars fully kick in from the two Michaels as the band start “Sleepwalking”, a real punchy, industrial guitar vibe of a song. A touch of “Superstition”, a moodier, slow-paced synth-inspired song with a possible nod towards a certain Gary Numan, and I’ve seen it mentioned as such by other reviewers. I would have to agree, with its drum beats and keyboards. Not a bad thing by any means, as a fan who grew up with Tubeway Army back in the day.
A stunning keyboard intro heralds “To Die For”, a love song carried along on the wings of Owen’s keyboards, with matching guitars and vocals completing the overall complete sound that was just superb.
Another highlight tonight was the pulsating “Destroyer”, with those pulsing keyboards, pounding drums and bass, and the crunching guitar riffs backed up with soaring vocals. Just outstanding.
The huge-sounding “Precious Hearts” might be my top pick of the night. I think because it has big hints of a Lacuna Coil sound, a band I really love live. It has that big driving sound with haunting vocals. Just excellent.
A couple from the 2010 Pins And Needles album to finish off the main set with the haunting, atmospheric “In The Dark” and the pounding “Midnight”. Just an impressive set from the band as they go off, but not for long, as they come back to loud cheers and open up with the drums and keyboard-infused “Happy Birthday”, with its almost-whispered-at-times lyrics.
The band fire through the crunching “Red Stars” before ending the set tonight with another pounding opening of a song before Chibi’s haunting vocals come in for “Blue”. She goes from ethereal to heavy, almost guttural vocals. The crunching guitars and drums kick in towards the end, taking us to the end of an absolutely brilliant night of music all-round from all three bands tonight.
I am not sure how I’ve managed to miss The Birthday Massacre for so long, but it will not happen again. I loved their whole set, including Chibi’s ribbing of me while I was checking the setlist on the monitor while taking the photos tonight, as I’d lost track of what number of song I was on to shoot. We ‘togs’ generally get the first three and then out of the pit.
I loved all three bands tonight. I’d seen the first two bands before and knew I would enjoy them, and The Birthday Massacre’s new album Pathways is superb, as was their performance tonight in front of a packed crowd. Go see them if you have not, as you will not be disappointed. Get out and keep supporting live music whenever you can, especially your local venues who need you the most.
Pics by Gary Cooper
