Art of Anarchy (w/ Never Say Die) @ Velvet Underground (Toronto, ON) on April 6, 2017 [Photos & Show Review]

Former Creed frontman Scott Stapp has joined up with a band that has some pretty heavy-hitting talent. Art of Anarchy was started by guitarist Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal (ex-Guns ‘n Roses), bassist John Moyer (Disturbed, Adrenaline Mob), and twin brothers, Jon and Vince Votta on guitar and drums. Before his death in late 2015, the group’s frontman was Scott Weiland, though they only released one album and never toured as a band. Well, on April 6th Stapp thanked the Toronto crowd for joining them and noted it was only their third touring show ever.

The band was tight, with each member showing off their considerable rock n roll chops. Thal and Jon Votta traded licks as they grabbed at each others guitar necks, with Thal playing his trademark double-neck guitar throughout. Moyer brought the crushing bottom end that he is known for. while Vince Votta was sequestered in the back behind a wall of haze for most of the night. Thankfully, his clear Plexiglas kit was lit up from the inside with LED rope lighting that changed colour as the show went on. Seeing him was difficult, hearing him was not! Stapp held court as the accomplished singer and stage man that he is. His voice was strong and his look and stage presence were undeniably rock star.

The set was short, only 11 songs including the encore, and other than one track off their first album, it comprised only new material off album number two, The Madness, which was released in March. Going forward, throwing a Creed, GnR or Disturbed track into the set might be a good thing though. See them on tour and the festival circuit this summer! Also noteworthy was the show’s opening act, Toronto rock outfit Never Say Die. Former My Darkest Days singer and current Three Days Grace frontman, Matt Walst took the stage for one song to end the budding band’s powerhouse set.

Setlist:

Echo of a Scream
1000 Degrees
No Surrender
Won’t Let You Down
Afterburn
Till The Dust
A Light In Me
Somber
Dancing With The Devil
Encore:
Changed Man
The Madness