HEAVY MONTREAL! Canada’s premier metal festival where over 30,000 metal fans descended upon Parq Jean-Drapeau for two days of sweat, headbanging, and moshing to today’s biggest bands. With headliners Five Finger Death Punch and Disturbed leading the way, fans representing 23 different countries basked in the hot Montreal sun, rocking out to over three dozen bands spread across three stages. It was metal at its finest.
First when picking a festival destination, I like it to be in the vicinity of a cool city, and Montreal fits that description. With a vibe that makes you feel like you are in Europe, there are many things to do from sightseeing to great food and a happening nightlife. Montreal by itself is a great place to visit, so if you make the trip next August, which I highly recommend, be sure to tack on a few days before or after the festival to explore this great city. Second, is access to the festival site; I’ve been to a few festivals where it seems like I walk for miles just to get there – not at Heavy Montreal. A quick ten minute metro ride from the city center and I arrived right at the festival entrance, one of the better setups that I’ve seen.
Now that we’ve checked off those items on to the festival, how was it? Simply put, kick ass! I absolutely love this festival. First, is the set up; I attended a couple years back, and the festival was on the opposite side of the park, where it was dusty with very little shade. This time around was a huge improvement, as they moved to the other side where there was plenty of wooded area as well as layering the main stage area with wood chips virtually eliminating the dust. Also within the festival grounds, there were plenty of places to relax and escape the hot sun including an area with hammocks; it was very cool and relaxing. This would be found near the wrestling ring – yes you read that correctly: wrestling ring – which would be a part of the weekend entertainment. And for those who spent a little extra on a Gold Pass, they would be treated to an area with comfortable seating, plenty of shade, bean bag chairs to kick back on, their own food/drink stands, and bathrooms. The bathrooms alone make it worth the extra money, as the only negative I noticed on the main festival grounds were the lines for the bathrooms which were longer than I’ve ever seen. Hopefully, that will be rectified next year. And the Gold Pass area was within easy viewing of both main stages making it well worth the extra money; if you’re going to go, go big! Overall, the site is one of the best I’ve been to in the dozens of festivals I’ve attended and well maintained over the course of the weekend, as it was cleaner than any other festival I’ve been to. It’s just a very well run show.
Now to the main reason we gather here: the music. With over three dozens bands, how do you catch a majority of them? At most major festivals, many bands overlap making for some difficult decisions. Not at Heavy Montreal , as the two main stages are opposite each other, and once one band finishes up the next goes on; when it comes to the main acts, fans don’t miss a thing. With the third stage only a few hundred feet away, it’s easy to escape and check out some of those bands as well. This year, as is always the case, Heavy Montreal provided another strong line-up including festival openers Pop Evil (when that’s your festival opening band, you know you are in for a great weekend) – these guys killed it. Hardcore punk rockers Dillinger Escape Plan made one of their final appearances before calling it quits in October; Zakk Wilde made appearances on Saturday with Black Label Society then again on Sunday solo. Sebastian Bach, Mastodon, Nightwish, Sabaton, Killswitch Engage, Breaking Benjamin, Disturbed, Five Finger Death Punch, and my two favorites for the weekend Volbeat and Alter Bridge rounded out the most notable performances for the weekend. There was just a wide array of bands, and a large majority of them kicked ass.
Listen, I’ve been to many festivals, and I can tell you this is one of the best; I would even go as far as saying it might be the best in North America. The setup couldn’t be more fan friendly, the location is perfect, and the price (especially for those of us in the U.S.) is about as inexpensive as you’ll get – it cost $200 USD for a Gold Pass for the weekend. I’ve paid more to see a regular concert; it’s a steal. I’ve already started making my plans for next August and suggest you do as well. I know the eight friends I attended with feel the same way. I hope to see you there next August at Heavy Montreal!
