Billy Talent with AM Taxi and Poison The Well

Hailing from Toronto, it isn’t uncommon for Billy Talent to make a stop in the Detroit area. Whether it’s because of their sound, incredible energy or proximity, the band has a tremendous following in the Metro area. Detroit was the first stop as the band kicked off their latest tour in support of their third full-length album, Billy Talent III. Although the U.S. release of the album hadn’t even happened when the band made their stop at St. Andrew’s Hall, fans were eager to get a sense of what the future had in store. Many fans were turned away from the sold out venue, but those that did make it through the doors were in for a hell of a show.

AM Taxi and Poison The Well opened for Billy Talent and though the audience was receptive, it was clear who they were really at St. Andrew’s to see. However, even if you weren’t a real fan of Poison The Well, it was tough not to feel bad for them when it was announced the following day that their van and all their equipment had been stolen from the Detroit hotel at which they were staying. Although they would then have to miss a few shows while scrambling for replacement equipment, it was good to hear that they were able to catch up with the tour and continue on.

The evening was a good balance of older songs and tracks from the new album and, most impressively, every song was played with tremendous energy, enthusiasm and abandon. Ripping into things immediately with “Devil in A Midnight Mass” the unmistakable guitar riff and bass lines got the audience screaming along to every word. Unfortunately, guitarist Ian D’Sa was having some technical problems on the opening song, but those were quickly resolved and things were fine for the rest of the show. Vocalist Ben Kowalewicz was everywhere at once and practically spitting the lyrics out with his signature nasally voice. “The Ex” from their debut album and “This Suffering” from Billy Talent II followed and maintained that excitement and energy, working the audience into a frenzy.

It was amazing that a track so heavy on screaming as “Line and Sinker” didn’t completely blow out Kowalewicz’s voice, but it didn’t seem to faze him at all and he immediately moved into the first single from their new album, “Rusted from the Rain.” While it was clear that some of the new songs were unfamiliar to audience members (likely due to the late U.S. release date), the song has been in constant rotation on local alternative radio and the audience was clearly excited to hear the song live. One audience member even shared that he felt the song itself was practically an anthem for Detroit in 2009. “Saint Veronika,” another new song, followed and is one of the very best of the new songs. Even better? It didn’t disappoint live and the bridge is reminiscent of the opening of “Devil in a Midnight Mass.”

Things slowed down just barely with “Surrender” before picking up with “River Below,” another of the band’s earlier songs. “Diamond on a Landmine” and “The Dead Can’t Testify” were two more of the new songs played that evening and it was clear that the audience wasn’t as familiar with the songs. However, “The Dead Can’t Testify” is another of the very best tracks from Billy Talent III and featured a rather cool guitar solo for D’Sa.

Kowalewicz took one of his only breaks to rib the locals a bit about Detroit sports teams before a few self-deprecating comments about how tough it is to be a Toronto Maple Leafs fan and then moved into their message for awareness of teenage depression and suicide, “Nothing to Lose.” The main set wrapped up with “Try Honesty,” one of the songs that shows Billy Talent at their best and was the single that made people sit up and take notice as they were getting started as a group.

The hour and a half set wrapped up with an encore of “Fallen Leaves” and “Red Flag,” both excellent tracks from their sophomore release. Like other Billy Talent shows, the evening was stellar with a well-balanced setlist, great enthusiasm and a true sense that the band was thrilled to not only be on tour, but performing these songs. Those that were turned away at the door may be somewhat placated by the fact that Kowalewicz assured fans they’d be back in Detroit before long, so, if you missed the band this time, keep your eyes peeled for their return and you can be sure that you’ll see a great show.