Photos by Caitie Corkal – Formed in St. Catharines, Ontario, in 2001, Alexisonfire earned their title as “the only band ever” by pioneering a signature blend of post-hardcore, melodic punk, and raw emotional power. Built on the dynamic interplay of George Pettit’s blistering screams, Dallas Green’s soulful vocals, and Wade MacNeil’s gritty guitar hooks—anchored by bassist Chris Steele and drummer Jordan Hastings—the five-piece evolved from underground cult heroes into multi-platinum, JUNO Award-winning Canadian rock icons.
The year 2026 marks a massive milestone for the band as they celebrate the 20th anniversary of their seminal 2006 album, Crisis. The landmark release, which originally debuted at #1 on the Canadian charts and spawned legendary singles like “This Could Be Anywhere in the World” and “Boiled Frogs,” remains a cornerstone of 2000s post-hardcore. To honor its enduring impact, the band announced special anniversary performances featuring Crisis played front-to-back, reigniting the raw energy that defined a generation of heavy music.
Headline celebrations included back-to-back landmark summer dates at Toronto’s RBC Amphitheatre alongside long-time genre peers Underoath, bringing tens of thousands of fans together for an emotional victory lap. Beyond their dedicated headline shows, 2026 saw Alexisonfire maintaining a commanding presence on the global festival circuit, bringing their intense live show to major international stages including European festivals and high-profile stops like Aftershock and Louder Than Life.
Two decades after Crisis reshaped the alternative music landscape, Alexisonfire continues to prove that their relevance and intensity haven’t faded. Balancing nostalgic legacy celebrations with an unyielding commitment to their live craft, the band enters the modern era fully cemented as one of the most vital and influential forces in heavy rock history.
UNDEROATH
Formed in Tampa, Florida, in 1997, Underoath redefined heavy music through a groundbreaking blend of post-hardcore, metalcore, and electronic experimentation. Powered by Spencer Chamberlain’s fierce vocals, Aaron Gillespie’s melodic singing and driving percussion, Tim McTague’s intricate guitar work, Chris Dudley’s synthesizer soundscapes, and Grant Brandell’s pulsing bass, the Grammy-nominated band became a defining voice for alternative rock in the 2000s with landmark albums like They’re Only Chasing Safety and Define the Great Line.
The year 2026 marks a high-octane chapter for Underoath as they hit the road for major co-headlining and support dates alongside long-time post-hardcore peers Alexisonfire, celebrating shared decades of heavy music legacy on massive stages across North America, including summer stops at Toronto’s RBC Amphitheatre. Alongside their headline co-bills, 2026 sees Underoath maintaining a dominant festival presence at premier events like Aftershock and Louder Than Life. Delivering blistering live sets packed with fan-favorite classics and hard-hitting modern tracks, the band continues to prove why they remain an unmatched force in contemporary rock music.
