Machine Head, In Flames, Lacuna Coil, and Unearth - Winnipeg, MB

In what might will surely be remembered as one of the heaviest nights Winnipeg has seen in years, the Burton Cummings Theatre transformed into a cauldron of molten metal on Monday, May 5, 2025, as Machine Head, In Flames, Lacuna Coil, and Unearth descended upon the city for their 2025 North American Tour. The stacked lineup delivered an unforgettable showcase of metal's diverse subgenres, from metalcore to melodic death metal and groove-heavy brutality, all under one roof.

Unearth. Photos by Samuel Stevens.

Kicking things off was Unearth, the Massachusetts metalcore mainstays who wasted no time unleashing chaos. Their blistering six-song set was short but ferocious, opening with the crushing "My Will Be Done" and plowing through crowd favourites like "This Lying World" and the pit-stirring "Giles." Frontman Trevor Phipps commanded the stage with intensity, delivering a vocal onslaught that matched the relentless riffing of Buz McGrath. "The Wretched; the Ruinous" and "Incinerate" showcased Unearth's modern aggression, while set-closer "Black Hearts Now Reign" ignited the first major circle pit of the night—a brutal reminder that Unearth still goes as hard as ever.

Lacuna Coil. Photos by Samuel Stevens.

Italian gothic metal veterans Lacuna Coil followed, draping the venue in atmospheric darkness. The dual vocal dynamic of Cristina Scabbia and Andrea Ferro remains as captivating as ever, shifting seamlessly between haunting melodies and visceral growls. Kicking off with the pounding "Layers of Time" and "Reckless," the band’s set balanced newer material like "Hosting the Shadow" and "I Wish You Were Dead" with reimagined classics such as "Swamped XX."

Scabbia’s charisma shone throughout, especially on "Oxygen" and the massive "Blood, Tears, Dust," while "Never Dawn" closed their performance with an industrial-tinged climax that left fans both mesmerized and screaming for more.

In Flames. Photos by Samuel Stevens.

With a long and storied career that helped define the melodic death metal genre, In Flames brought both legacy and evolution to the stage. Opening with the evergreen anthem "Cloud Connected," the Swedes reminded the crowd why they’ve remained vital over three decades.

The set was a masterclass in balancing eras: blistering cuts like "Take This Life" and "Trigger" lit up longtime fans, while newer tracks like "Meet Your Maker" and "In The Dark" fit seamlessly into the mix. The band dug deep with "Coerced Coexistence" and "Bullet Ride"—a treat for fans of their early 2000s sound—before exploding into modern bangers "I Am Above" and "State of Slow Decay." The emotionally charged "My Sweet Shadow" closed their set with soaring solos and thunderous applause. Taking the stage as headliners, Machine Head delivered a set that was less a concert and more a ritualistic purge. With Robb Flynn leading the charge, the Oakland juggernauts turned the Burton Cummings Theatre into a warzone. Opener "Imperium" lit the fuse, followed by fan favourites like "Ten Ton Hammer" and the savage "Choke on the Ashes."

Machine Head. Photos by Samuel Stevens.

Flynn’s signature blend of ferocity and vulnerability came through on "Now We Die" and "Catharsis," while "Bulldozer" and "Bonescraper" were absolute sledgehammers to the chest. The band’s chemistry was locked in tight, particularly on "From This Day" and the seething "Davidian," where Flynn’s rallying cry of “Let freedom ring with a shotgun blast!” had the entire venue roaring.

After a brief exit, Machine Head returned for a thunderous encore of "Halo," a perfect closing hymn that spiralled through dynamic peaks and valleys before crescendoing in a final, cathartic wall of sound.

The 2025 North American Tour stop in Winnipeg was more than just a concert—it was a celebration of metal in all its forms. Each band brought their unique brand of intensity, giving fans a night of unrelenting energy, genre-spanning power, and moments that will echo long after the amps have cooled. From Unearth’s incendiary start to Machine Head’s colossal finish, the Burton Cummings Theatre bore witness to a night of pure sonic warfare—and Winnipeg metalheads wouldn’t have it any other way.