Review & Photos by Greg Hamil for MPM
On a chilly February evening, the historic Apollo Theater in Belvidere, IL came alive with the electrifying sounds of Saint Asonia. The venue buzzed with anticipation as fans gathered to witness a night of powerful rock music.
Before I continue, let me say that after the tragic events of just under a year ago, it was great to be back in the newly repaired and renovated theater. It would have been easy to just let it fade into history, but we are all glad that it is back and ready to rock the northern Illinois & southern Wisconsin area!
As Saint Asonia took the stage with former Three Days Grace frontman and guitarist, Adam Gontier. Accompanying him to the stage was Adam’s cousin and former Art of Dying bassist Cale Gontier. On drums was Cody Watkins. It is my understanding that Staind guitarist Mike Mushok is still a member of Saint Asonia, but due to his commitment to them, he is being replaced on tour with Tavis Stanley.
The night kicked off with “Above It All”, setting the tone for a powerful and electrifying performance. Adam’s vocals soared effortlessly, while the band’s tight rhythm section and searing guitar work laid down a foundation of sonic fury. Tracks like “The Hunted” and “So What” showcased the band’s ability to blend aggression with melody, keeping the audience clapping and singing along.
The energy remained high throughout the night, with fan favorites like “Chew Me Up” and “Wolf” igniting the crowd. Tracks like “Better Place” also resonated, showcasing the band’s evolution and songwriting prowess.
A highlight of the evening was a hat tip to Adam’s days with Three Days Grace with powerful renditions of “Never Too Late” and “I Hate Everything About You”, where Gontier’s impassioned delivery brough a fresh intensity to the well-known songs. Bring an even bigger response from the audience was their cover of Apocalyptica’s “I Don’t Care”.
The final stretch of the set was a masterclass in hard rock and roll showmanship. “Say Goodbye” built anticipation before launching into a cover of The Weekend’s “Blinding Lights”. The garnered the biggest cheers of the night as they performed one more Three Days Grace song, “Riot”.
Saint Asonia closed the night with the powerful “Devastate” and “Let Me Live My Life”, leaving the audience buzzing with the afterglow of an unforgettable performance. The band’s musicianship was on point throughout the night with each member delivering a masterclass on their instruments and Adam’s charismatic stage presence and incredible vocals soared.
If you are looking for a band that can deliver a powerful and engaging live experience, look no further than the very underrated Saint Asonia. Their show at The Apollo Theater was a testament to their talent, energy, and ability to connect with audiences on a visceral level. If their tour brings them close to your hometown, it would be well worth checking them out.
Setlist: Above It All – Better Place – The Hunted – Chew Me Up – Wolf – Never Too Late – I Hate Everything About You – I Don’t Care – So What – Say Goodbye – Blinding Lights – Riot – Devastate – Let Me Live My Life
Remaining Tour Dates:
Feb. 25 – Wyandotte, MO @ District 142
Feb. 27 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Jergels
Feb. 28 – Buffalo, NY @ Town Ballroom
Mar. 01 – Hampton Beach, NH @ Wally’s
Mar. 02 – Hartford, CT @ Webster Theater
Mar. 03 – Wilmington, DE @ The Queen
Mar. 05 – Virginia Beach, VA @ Elevation 27
Mar. 06 – Charlotte, NC @ The Underground
