Amy Lee steals the show
Evanescence, Stone Sour, Black Maria play for metal-heads, children, and Lee-lovers alike
KYLE PHILLIPS VOLUNTEER STAFF
A large and diverse crowd ranging from goth/metalheads to parents and their little children piled into the MTS Centre half-concert-bowl to see Evanescence — or should I just say Amy Lee? Whether it was her borderline glassshatteringly operatic vocals, her oversized pink dress, or her epic solo piano tracks, she clearly stole the show. Despite Evanescence’s other members receiving writing credits in their album liner-notes, when it came to the live show, they may as well have been a hired backing band.
After braving numerous security checkpoints and taking a stroll around the main concourse (which tantalized with its over-priced merchandise and food) the bands took to the stage, one by one.
If openers Stone Sour ever come back I have a great idea for a drinking game: every time vocalist Corey Taylor drops the f-bomb, take a drink. After three songs and some of their unnecessary on-stage banter, chances are you would have alcohol poisoning. Many parents who brought their children to see the band perform their singles “Bother” and the new “Through The Glass” were caught off-guard by the much harder metal tracks that comprised the rest of the set. Members Taylor and Root both pull double-duties with their other band Slipknot, and although Stone Sour are very different, it appears evident that there is still a metal edge to them, and the singles come across merely as record-label concessions. The set wasn’t anything amazing, but the added humour made it enjoyable.
Evanescence took the stage shortly after 9 p.m. to a crowd of 8,000 and wasted no time in breaking into “Sweet Sacrifice” and “Weight of The World,” from their new disc Fallen. Just as the set began to lose its excitement and the tracks all started to sound alike, the lights dropped, only to come back on with a solo Lee sitting at a grand piano. She performed “Good Enough” and “Lithium” on a minicatwalk as smoke billowed onto the stage and snow fell from above. It was entertaining, and Lee admitted afterwards that snow might not be too exciting for us, but it is for the band (they’re from Arkansas).
The rest of the set balanced hard songs with melodic ballads, including hit singles “Call Me When You’re Sober” and “Bring Me To Life.” The set became a bit stale, but to the guys watching and wishing that Lee was their girlfriend, and to the girls re-enacting her every move, it was everything they could have hoped for.
Unfortunately, due to poor organizational skills at the MTS Centre, I was delayed getting in and missed the most promising band, openers the Black Maria. The day before the show, however, I did get a chance to sit down with vocalist Chris Gray, who mentioned that their entire set featured songs off their newest album, as the band has put their first record behind them. Several member changes occurred, including the much-talked-about removal of Kyle Bishop. According to Gray, Bishop “had the name value, but as far as the writing goes he was a bit of an anchor for us. We are a better band without him.”
Their addition to the tour was great as they are a good balance between Stone Sour and Evanescence. Gray had nothing but great things to say about the other bands they’ve toured with (even Guns ’N Roses) and said that “Amy Lee is one of the most down-toearth people I’ve met, as big a star she is.” Although Gray loves the cities and crowds, don’t expect to see too many cross-Canada tours from this Ontario band, as their U.S. label keeps them busy in the States, and the long drives across the country, especially in mid- January, make touring Canada long and difficult.
