Words/ Photography by: Dakota King
Ever eat a slab of a real killer ice cream cake and think to your self, “dang, that was quite stellar”? All three layers; an irresistible chocolatey fudge goodness and crunch centre, surrounded by creamy, snow-white vanilla and rich chocolate soft serve, come crashing down in your mouth, leaving an absolute sinful mixture, that teases you to indulge in eating more. The flavours each stand out on their own, yet, create an enthralling harmonious flavour when put together.
Unfortunately for those who cannot rake in ice cream and other dairy related foods down the hatch without ending up in the ER (much like myself), we’re stuck trying to find ways to replace and tantalize those lost sensory privileges. Attending shows surely does not make up for the forgotten vale of tastes we milk and dairy allergists unwillingly have to sacrifice, but it does the job. My so called piece of ice cream cake was on Sunday, July 20th, as Toronto’s TD Echo Beach stage welcomed Chicago-based punk band Rise Against, who released their seventh album, The Black Market, on July 15th, 2014 via DGC/Interscope, who performed alongside metalcore band Killswitch Engage, who released their newest album, Disarm the Descent, on April 2nd, 2013 via Roadrunner Records, and Los Angeles-based post-hardcore band Letlive, who released their third album, The Blackest Beautiful, on July 9th, 2013 via Epitaph.
Three very unique and distinct in sound artists, who much like those beautiful layers of ice cream cake stand out on their own, bled into each other quite satisfyingly all under, with much surprise, a non-tumultuous Toronto sky (which seems to like to pee on outdoor concert and festival goers as of late). Check out the photos below!
Killswitch Engage:
Killswitch Engage Setlist
My Curse
Rose of Sharyn
Beyond the Flames
Strength of Mind
A Bid Farewell
Fixation on the Darkness
You Don’t Bleed for Me
Always
My Last Serenade
In Due Time
The End of Heartache
Rise Against:
Rise Against Setlist
The Great Die-Off
The Good Left Undone
Give It All
Re-Education (Through Labor)
Survive
I Don’t Want to Be Here Anymore
Collapse (Post-Amerika)
Make It Stop (September’s Children)
Prayer of the Refugee
Help Is on the Way
Black Masks & Gasoline
Ready to Fall
Hero of War (Acoustic)
Swing Life Away (Acoustic)
Encore
Dancing for Rain
Savior