TORONTO (ON), Phoenix Concert Theatre - 09/12/2026
North America has never been short on metal. Death, black, thrash, progressive — virtually every corner of the genre has found its place across the United States and Canada. And while power metal may not always receive the same attention as some of its heavier counterparts, the genre has been steadily carving out its own space on this side of the Atlantic.
Tonight, Toronto’s Phoenix Concert Theatre becomes the destination for power metal fans as Kamelot brings their latest album, Dark Asylum, to North America. Joining them are Austria’s Visions of Atlantis and Italy’s Frozen Crown, both bringing new material to the table. On paper, it is a package with very little room for disappointment — and judging by the line already stretching outside the venue hours before doors, Toronto’s metal community seems to agree.
FROZEN CROWN
The evening gets underway with Frozen Crown, who hit the stage approximately 50 minutes after doors open. The Italian power metal outfit is currently preparing for the release of their sixth studio album, The Legend of the Six Kings, due October 2, and tonight’s set offers the Toronto crowd a first taste of several songs from the upcoming record. Of course, there is still room for Kings, one of the band’s most recognizable tracks, but the new material receives an equally warm response. Frozen Crown may have a relatively short set, but they make no time to waste in making an impression. Frontwoman Giada Etro is the obvious focal point. Her vocals remain consistently strong, but it is her stage presence that really drives the performance. She knows how to work the room without overdoing it, while the rest of the band provide a tight and energetic backdrop. Guitarists Alexandra Lioness and Alessia Lanzone add plenty of firepower to the performance, while drummer Niso Tomasini keeps everything moving with precision. The band may have only a limited amount of time, but they make the most of it, leaving the Toronto audience with a positive first impression — and, perhaps more importantly, a preview of what is to come from The Legend of the Six Kings.
FROZEN CROWN SETLIST:
Kings
The One
Neverending
Who Wants to Burn in Heaven
Reborn
Iris (Goo Goo Dolls cover)
I Am the Tyrant
VISIONS OF ATLANTIS
Next up are Visions of Atlantis, bringing a very different flavor of European power metal to the stage. The Austrian symphonic metal veterans are touring in support of their latest release, Armada – An Orchestral Voyage, released on February 6. The band’s history has been anything but straightforward, with numerous lineup changes throughout the years, but the current incarnation has established a strong identity of its own. At the center of it all stands Clémentine Delauney, whose voice has become one of the defining elements of the modern symphonic metal scene. And tonight, she delivers. Delauney is in excellent form, effortlessly moving between the band’s more delicate and powerful passages while maintaining a strong connection with the audience. The rest of the band are equally committed, fully embracing the pirate aesthetic that has become such a recognizable part of the Visions of Atlantis experience, with the theatrical elements fitting naturally with the band’s music and nautical concept. It is an engaging performance that demonstrates why Visions of Atlantis have remained relevant in the symphonic metal scene for so long.
VISIONS OF ATLANTIS SETLIST:
Master of the Hurricane
Clocks
Tonight I’m Alive
Legion of the Seas
Hellfire
Pirates Will Return
Melancholy Angel
Armada
KAMELOT
A little after 9 PM, the lights go down once again. The anticipation in the Phoenix Concert Theatre is noticeably different this time. After two strong support performances, it is finally time for Kamelot. Founded in 1987, the band is technically the only American act on tonight’s bill — although the distinction becomes rather blurry once you look at the lineup. Two members are German, one is Swedish, and the band’s sound has long been closely connected to the European power and symphonic metal tradition. In that sense, Kamelot is perhaps the perfect example of how fluid the genre has become across the Atlantic. Tonight, however, nationality is hardly relevant. What matters is the performance, and Kamelot wastes little time proving why they remain one of the most established names in the scene. Tommy Karevik immediately takes command of the stage. His vocal performance is arguably the highlight of the entire evening, combining power, control and the theatrical delivery that has become synonymous with the band’s live shows. Behind him, the instrumental section is equally impressive. Alex Landenburg delivers a particularly strong performance behind the drum kit, including a dedicated drum solo midway through the set. At the same time, Sean Tibbetts provides a steady and powerful foundation on bass. The production is somewhat less elaborate than that of Visions of Atlantis, but Kamelot compensates with a more focused stage presence. There is no need for excessive decoration when the musicians themselves can carry the show. The guest appearances from the support bands also add a welcome touch to the performance. Both the singers drom the previous acts join Karevik on stage, expanding the vocal arrangements and creating some of the night’s most memorable moments. Giada, in particular, gets the chance to show a different side of her abilities with a brief growled section — a small but effective surprise. From the opening notes onward, the Toronto crowd remains firmly engaged. Kamelot’s combination of polished musicianship, theatricality and melodic songwriting translates particularly well to the live setting, while Karevik’s performance gives the entire show a strong focal point. By the end of the night, the formula is clear: three European-rooted bands, three distinct interpretations of power and symphonic metal, and a Toronto audience more than willing to embrace them all.
KAMELOT SETLIST:
Sanctorium
Ashen World
The Great Pandemonium
Rule the World
Liar Liar
Godlike Alchemy
Revolution
New Babylon
Dark Asylum
Ivy, My Dear
One More Flag in the Ground
Sanctuary
Veil of Elysium
March of Mephisto
Sacrimony
Sanctum Requiem
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