THE SHOW

The all-Canadian heavy metal lineup rolled into Toronto on Saturday, September 14th, at Lee’s Palace, with headliners Striker, special guests Lutharo, and opening act Thunderor. While I was aware of all three bands, I wasn’t deeply familiar with their music or live shows. However, given their strong reputations for delivering high-energy performances, I knew I had to attend and see it for myself. I anticipated a packed venue for a Saturday night, but the turnout was surprisingly light. A friend pointed out that Judas Priest was playing just an hour or so outside of Toronto, which likely affected attendance. With a likely fanbase overlap, it’s tough for any band to compete with Priest on the same night. All three bands had well-stocked merch tables, and the members were readily available to chat and sign items

THUNDEROR

This was my first time seeing and hearing Thunderor, a traditional heavy metal band from Toronto. The power trio features two current or former Skullfist members – JJ Tartaglia on vocals & drums, and guitarist Johny Nesta. Bassist Brycen Gunn rounded out the trio. Their stage setup was minimal, with a very bright red drum kit pushed to the front, emblazoned with the band’s logo on the bass drum, along with a matching red amp or two. Behind them, Lutharo’s banner was already in place for the next set.

I’m always impressed when a drummer handles lead vocals, especially in metal, where the physical demands of drumming are intense. JJ Tartaglia nailed it, delivering flawless vocals without missing a drum beat. He did his fellow Canadian drummer/vocalist, Dan Beehler of Exciter, proud – seriously impressive.

Thunderor played about five or six tracks, mostly from their debut album Fire It Up (2022). The crowd was sparse at this early point in the night, but Thunderor gave 110%, which didn’t go unnoticed by the fans who were there, myself included. The band was incredibly tight, thanks in part to the chemistry between JJ and Johny from their Skullfist days. If you’re into traditional metal with anthemic choruses and catchy riffs, Thunderor is a band worth checking out.

LUTHARO

As mentioned, I’m relatively new to Lutharo, having seen them for the first time recently when they opened for Raven in Toronto, where their raw live energy left a lasting impression. Hailing from the outskirts of the city, Lutharo blends melodic death metal, thrash, power metal, and even traditional metal into a unique musical combination. Vocalist Krista Shipperbottom is incredibly versatile, effortlessly shifting between death metal growls, thrashy screams, and clean vocal passages while dancing during the more melodic parts of the music.

Guitarist Victor Bucur delivers aggressive, memorable riffs and solos, while drummer Cory Hofing & bassist Chris Pacey form a rock-solid rhythm section, driving the dynamic tempo changes that define their songs. There was a second guitarist performing with the band, I’m guessing he’s a touring only guitarist. I was thoroughly impressed by the band’s tightness and commanding stage presence. They easily claimed the title of the heaviest and fastest band of the night.

Lutharo delivered an 8-song set, with six tracks pulled from their newly released 2024 album Chasing Euphoria on Atomic Fire Records. Some standout tracks for me were ‘Ruthless Bloodline,’ ‘Lost in a Soul,’ ‘Wings of Agony,’ and ‘Time to Rise.’ Their live performance truly showcased the power of their contrasting musical styles. One moment, you’re swept up in melodic passages with soaring, clean power vocals, and the next, you’re hit with face-melting thrash or relentless death metal brutality.

Even though I wasn’t too familiar with their catalog going in, the dynamic songwriting pulled me in with its creativity and variety. After the set, I had the chance to chat with Krista at the merch stand, where I picked up both of their albums. She was as engaging and humble as you’d expect from a fellow Canadian. I’m not sure how well known Lutharo is outside of Canada, but they absolutely deserve your attention—whether live or on record. I can now officially say I’m a Lutharo fan.

STRIKER

Striker hit the stage looking like they’d just come from the beach, decked out in Hawaiian shirts, shorts, sports jerseys, and brightly colored tank tops – not exactly your typical metal attire. But frontman Dan Cleary stayed true to the classic metal uniform, dressed in all black from head to toe. The band was in town supporting their 2024 album Ultrapower, and they kicked things off with the melodic, hook-driven ‘Circle of Evil’ from the new record, setting the tone for the night. What surprised me was how much faster and heavier they played live compared to what I expected, they absolutely crushed it. Next up was ‘Best of the Best of the Best,’ also from the new album, followed by their classic track ‘Phoenix Lights.’ Striker has a real talent for writing catchy choruses, and the crowd eagerly sang along with them throughout the set.

Vocalist Dan Cleary displays serious Sebastian Bach in his prime vibes with his commanding stage presence, charisma, and powerful, soaring vocals – hitting every note flawlessly. The band’s backing vocals also stood out, providing memorable harmonies that added depth to the performance. The setlist was dominated by tracks from their new album, including ‘Blood Magic,’ ‘Give it All,’ ‘Ready for Anything,’ ‘Sucks to Suck,’ and ‘Thunderdome.’ Guitarists Timothy Brown and John Simon Fallon were in fine form, delivering a constant stream of shredding solos and melodic guitar harmonies. Despite a recent jet ski injury, Timothy Brown played seated on a stool for most of the show, which was understandable given the circumstances. By this point, the crowd had filled in more, though it was still smaller than expected.

Striker ended their set on a high note, performing fan-favorite older tracks like ‘Start Again,’ ‘Out for Blood,’ and ‘Heart of Lies,’ with the crowd chanting along to every chorus and pumping their fists in the air. The band seemed to be having just as much fun as I was, joking around with the crowd and each other throughout the night. After thanking everyone for coming, they headed over to the merch stand to meet fans.

I ended up buying all of Striker’s albums on vinyl and even had the chance to chat with Timothy Brown. The only downside was that they were sold out of their newest record, which was surprising considering it’s a limited tour run. A few other fans were also hoping to pick it up, but overall, it didn’t take away from an otherwise fantastic night.

CONCLUSION

In summary, the night was a powerful showcase of Canadian Heavy Metal at its finest, with Thunderor, Lutharo, and Striker delivering unforgettable performances. Each band brought their own unique sound and energy, reminding everyone why Canada is becoming a rising force in the global metal scene. From the diverse musical styles to the enthusiastic fan interaction, it was a night that celebrated both the past and future of metal. Striker and Lutharo will be back on the road for a North American tour in November and December 2024, supporting Seven Kingdoms, while Striker heads to Europe with Unleash the Archers in early 2025. I highly recommend catching them on tour and showing some love for Canadian Metal!

Canada is quickly becoming a hotbed for bands rooted in classic ’80s metal styles, often dubbed the New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal. Along with these three bands, Canada has produced notable acts like Riot City, Skullfist, Unleash The Archers, Deadwolff, Cauldron, and Traveler, just to name a few. Each band brings their own unique take on the genre, proving that the future is bright for Canadian Metal.

September 14th, 2024 @ Lee’s Palace (Toronto, ON)
Images By: Billy Klare
Words By: Billy Klare