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COMEBACK KID LIGHTS UP CLUB SODA: A NIGHT OF PURE HARDCORE ENERGY IN MONTREAL
There’s something magical about hardcore in Montreal — especially when it’s housed in a legendary venue like Club Soda. On this particular night, the room pulsed with sweat, stage dives, and crowd-screamed lyrics as Comeback Kid brought their Wake The Dead 20th Anniversary Tour to town. Along for the ride were some of the best acts from across Canada and beyond, making the night a full-course meal of breakdowns, chaos, and raw emotion.
Cross Check: Montreal’s Hardcore Heavyweights
Kicking things off were Cross Check, hometown heroes known for bringing that classic hardcore energy with a modern twist. Vocalist Hannah delivered guttural screams with relentless intensity, commanding the stage while her bandmates danced and thrashed around her. The crowd responded in kind — two-stepping, shouting along, and creating that perfect early-set spark. For an opener, Cross Check felt like a headliner.
Punitive Damage: Vancouver’s Voice of Resistance
Next up, Punitive Damage made it very clear why they were invited for the full tour. Hailing from Vancouver, this activist hardcore band has been shaking venues across North America with their fierce energy and unapologetically political lyrics. Their set was feral and fearless, driven by powerful stage presence — and for this reviewer, the bassist stole the show with her expressive “bass faces” and charisma.
Prowl: Montreal’s Dark Dreamscape
As the venue filled, Prowl emerged with their signature haunting heaviness. A staple of the local scene, they brought that otherworldly edge that makes them stand out — partially thanks to reverb-heavy vocals that feel like they’re echoing from a dream (or a nightmare). At one point, the vocalist had a full-on nosebleed, wiping the blood on his clothes and continuing the set like nothing happened. It was raw. It was real. It was Prowl.
Incendiary: Long Island Legends Take Over
If Montreal hadn’t fully erupted yet, Incendiary made sure of it. Veterans of the Long Island hardcore scene, they tore into their set with the kind of tight, explosive energy only a band with four albums and years of touring can bring. Stage divers flew in every direction. The mic was passed around like a torch. This wasn’t just a set — it was a takeover. Montreal gave them the love they deserved.
Comeback Kid: A 20-Year Celebration With No Barricades
Then came the moment everyone was waiting for. Comeback Kid, hardcore royalty from Winnipeg and Toronto, took the stage to celebrate Wake The Dead — a record that helped define a generation of fans and bands alike. Vocalist Andrew “Goose” Neufeld was clearly stoked to be back in a venue with no barricade — unlike the night before in Toronto — and made sure the crowd was front and center (and often on stage). Stage dives were non-stop. The singalongs were deafening. For many, including me, it was the third time seeing CBK — and once again, they delivered an unforgettable set that reminds you exactly why you fell in love with hardcore in the first place.
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