It is not every day that one gets the opportunity to attend a dedicated, power metal-focused festival. In early May 2025, an announcement was made that Black Smoke Prods, founded by Thomas Karam(Noor, Exxûl), will host a one-of-a-kind power metal festival in Montréal, the largest city in the province of Québec, on July 19th, 2025, at l’Hémisphère Gauche. The festival, Montréal Power Fest, will feature some of the finest power metal-focused bands in the underground metal scene. The lineup includes Wooden, Liva, Exxûl, Walk with Titans, Noor, and Tales of Destiny.
l’Hémisphère Gauche
To set the scene, it is essential to mention the venue, l’Hémisphère Gauche. This independently owned bar has hosted shows for over twenty years. l’Hémisphère Gauche would be considered a dive bar with an open vibe and laid-back atmosphere. Shows at this bar are diverse, and the clientele is comprised of underground/up-and-coming artists. There are also open mic nights with karaoke and trivia. One can also find pinball machines and billiards. The venue’s aesthetic had a retro 80s feel, and regardless of one’s standing/sitting position, there was no bad spot to watch the performers on stage.
Wooden
Formed in 2019 by brothers Bilal and Youssef, and based in Montréal, Wooden is recognized for blending traditional elements of heavy metal with a modern twist. After five years in the making, in 2024, the band released their self-titled EP. For those who don’t know, the name Wooden represents the eternal life of a tree. While it’s true that a tree eventually dies, the timber of the tree carries on eternally. In February 2025, the band made it to the second round of Wacken Metal Battle Canada.
As the first opening band, Wooden brought the heat. Crowd participation was brought to the forefront during their set. For example, the vocalist Youssef was lively on stage and, while singing, would have the crowd repeat after him and participate in all vocal renditions. Wooden also performed the opening of the Judas Priest classic, “The Hellion / Electric Eye”, in which the crowd enthusiastically joined in. Below is a live brief example of some of the ways the crowd participated during their set.
Some notable tracks performed include “The Monster”, “Warfield”, “Dooming Hour”, and “Off The Rails“. The songs included represent different stages and emotions that humans experience in life, including trials and tribulations, acceptance, and the pursuit of finding the overall meaning of one’s existence. While listening and watching Wooden perform live, one can experience a diversified range of sound with their version of heavy metal.
Liva
Liva is a symphonic power metal band formed in 1997 in Sherbrooke, Québec, and is Canada’s first band to combine classical music elements with metal. The name Liva comes from the Italian surname of Pier Carlo Liva, who is the guitarist and one of the band’s vocalists. In 2002, the band released their first full-length album, “Requiem”. The lyrics are composed of Latin texts. The subsequent two albums, “De Insulis” and “Human Abstract,” contained lyrics in English. Ten years later, in 2023, Liva released their latest full-length album, “Ecce Mundus”. This album marked a return to their roots, which formed the foundation of the band and are predominantly heard on their first full-length release, “Requiem,” featuring a blend of opera, electronica, and classical music. Nadine Guertin (soprano) provides the female vocal part of the group and sings in the Opéra de Montréal. Claude Lacroix, the drummer, and Martin Tremblay, the bassist, were also added to the new lineup.
Liva’s overall performance was powerful. Nadine’s (soprano) vocals complement Pier Carlo’s (tenor) vocals astonishingly well. The orchestral explorations bring a unique sonic quality to the band. What was fascinating to witness was Pier Carlo playing a guitar that contained nine strings, which added more depth and texture. The addition of death metal growls was a bonus. Below is a short video showcasing the band’s unique harmony and symphonic power metal sound.
With four full-length albums with a lot of material, the songs performed were evenly distributed. Notable tracks include “Silence”, “Sleep”, and “Samson & Dalila I”. The addition of poetry based on the Middle Ages added a spellbinding and nostalgic touch, which left the crowd speechless.
Exxûl
Exxûl was founded in 2020 in Longueuil, Québec, and was initially known as “Crestfallen”. The band features three members of Atramentus and is known as the first Québécois epic power/doom metal band. After a five-year search for a vocalist, it has been confirmed that Thomas Karam from Noor would fill the role. The mastermind behind the band is none other than Phil Tougas, a multi-instrumentalist whose music releases date back to 2008. He also runs a metal music label, Productions TSO, which features a collective of his most recent projects, including Atramentus, Zeicrydeus, Chthe’ilist, and Exxûl, among many others. Montréal Power Fest marked the first live debut appearance of Exxûl.
Before delving into the details of Exxûl’s performance, it is essential to establish the context in which the bands mentioned above are connected. While it’s true that each project (Atramentus, Zeicrydeus, Chthe’ilist, and Exxûl) stands on its own, lyrically, the bands are bonded. Without going into too much detail, the lyrical lore interwoven between the bands not only contains a lot of symbolism that draws into each unique character and storyline, but there is a deeper and bigger picture that encapsulates their existence through each part of the “perpetual planes” (i.e., “realms”). Below is the “Perpetural Planes map for context and viewing pleasure.
Each band member has a unique moniker that signifies their distinctive roles. The individual identifiers are as follows: Thomas Karam (vocalist) is “Stargazer,” known for chants of foretold doom. Phil Tougas (guitarist) is “Defender,” known for his six-stringed bloodsteel hymns. Antoine Daigneault (bassist) is “Sentinel,” known for his five-stringed chaosmagicks. François Bilodeau (synthesizers) is “Spectre” known for his multitimbral spectral oscillations. Guyot Begin-Benoit (drummer) is “Etherial Hammer,” known for his telluric rumblings. Upon entering the stage, what immediately stood out was Exxûl’s garb. Each band member appeared to be wearing a medieval-style wardrobe, except for “Defender”. While rendering his chants, “Stargazer” was equipped with a sword. Below is a quick video and first look at the band during their live performance.
At first listen, it is evident that Thomas Karam’s vocal range is high (possibly four to five octaves), comparable to that of Louis Marullo or Tom Mallicoat, with a melodic quality and intense vigor. Phil’s guitar work, especially the leads, was executed phenomenally well. The bass parts were noticeably more audible than the synthesizers, while the drumming was straightforward. The art of storytelling brought a fascinating allure to the project. Exxûl’s debut performance was a success and a crowd favorite, as it was a highly anticipated project and a first of its kind in the genre/appeal. At the time of this writing, a debut full-length album is expected to be released sometime in 2025. Fans of Solitude Aeturnus, Manowar, Cirith Ungol, and Fates Warning will be attached to this new project.
Walk with Titans
Formed in 2019, Walk with Titans is a power metal band from Montréal with the main subject and themes surrounding Greek mythology. In 2023, they released their debut full-length album, “Olympian Dystopia.” The band embodies the main traditional elements found in power metal, including clean vocals with high ranges and lyrical themes that often involve epic or fantasy. Their straightforward approach is very evident, while the instrumentation is technical with elaborate solos. Below is a short video showcasing the band’s unique stage presence and sound.
While the band heavily focuses on Greek myths with tracks such as “Herakles”, “Seven Against Thebes”, and “Eurydice”, there are other tracks that tackle different subjects, such as societal issues, or, for example, the track “Edge of Time”, corresponding to the idea that time will consume us all.
Overall, out of all the bands that performed, Walk with Titans was the most traditional-sounding power metal band, along with Tales of Destiny. Fast tempos, playful orchestrations, and gripping solos were prominent. Fans of Rhapsody of Fire, Blind Guardian, and Stratovarius would heavily appreciate them.
Noor
Noor is a power/heavy metal band formed in 2018 by vocalist and lead guitarist Thomas Karam. As previously mentioned, Thomas is also the vocalist of the epic power/doom metal band Exxûl. The word Noor is Arabic for “light”. In 2023, the band released a concept and debut full-length album, “Mother’s Guilty Pleasure Part One.” Lyrically, the album’s overall theme explores letting go of the comfort zone and finding comfort in discomfort.
It is important to note that while Noor’s style of heavy metal is very melodic, one can’t help but notice the thrash metal element as well, which brings an inherent focus on heaviness and speed. While the vocal style of Thomas Karam is similar in Exxûl as it is in Noor, the distinctive touch of melismatic singing is more noticeable and present in the latter. Below is a short video showcasing the difference in instrumentation and vocal style.
Tracks such as “Mother’s Guilty Pleasure”, “Flaming Rage”, and “Golden Coffin” were played. As an observation, there appeared to be rosary beads wrapped around the headstock of Thomas’s guitar. The tracks, such as “Follow the Light” and “Forgiving Eyes,” hint at themes surrounding Christian ideals. The soulful vocals were captivating, and the tuneful riffs and energetic solos left a solid, lasting impression on the crowd.
Tales of Destiny
Tales of Destiny is a power metal band formed in the mid-90s in Beaupré, Québec. In 2013, they released their debut full-length album, “Reign of the Eclipse.” After a hiatus of over ten years, the band reunited and is set to release their second full-length album, “Ashes of Destiny,” in September 2025. This new album is poised to take the listener back to the band’s foundations while delivering a fresh perspective on the upcoming tracks. All in all, we are looking at thirty years of existence, which means thirty years of precious history.
Early influences of the band range from artists such as Iron Maiden to Slayer and even Children of Bodom. The fusion of the melodic and pivotal foundations of power metal with the primitive and bellicose nature of early thrash defines their remarkable sound. Below is a brief video showcasing their stylistic range.
Tracks that stood out during their performance include “Livin’ on a Blade”, “Resist to This”, and “Rescued By an Angel”. What’s even more interesting is that a tinge of folk metal influences can be observed upon closer listening. With a glorious range of sound and a standing ovation, Tales of Destiny was the perfect band to close the evening.
A first of its kind in the province of Québec, Montréal Power Fest was a stunning event that stands on its own. This mini-festival shed light on the marvelous power/heavy metal bands that exist in the scene and captured their true essence in live form. Although this is the first edition of the fest, it will come as no surprise if there is another edition next year, proving to be a staple for generations to come.