Live Review: KITTIE’s Comeback Show At HISTORY in Toronto Cements Their Lasting Impact & Influence

Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and nowhere was that more apparent than Kittie‘s headlining show at History in Toronto. The London, Ontario-based band emerged during the Nu-Metal era with a whirlwind of success, which included Juno Awards and Kerrang endorsements. Despite their commercial success, Kittie pivoted into a more metal direction that was sonically darker and more sinister. After the touring cycle for their 2011 album “I’ve Failed You” ended, Kittie seemingly went into hibernation.

After more than 13 years, Kittie has now returned with a crushing new album, “Fire,” on Sumerian Records with production from Nick Raskulinecz (Foo Fighters, Rush, Alice In Chains, Korn). The album brings Kittie back to the spotlight, and their first show in support of the new album at Toronto’s History was an electrifying kick-off.

Brampton, Ontario’s own Hardcore/Sludge Metal newcomers DEAR EVANGELINE opened the show with a memorable set that made it apparent that Kittie unknowingly influenced a whole generation of female metalheads, proving they could be just as metal as their male counterparts.

St. Catharines’ Sludge/Doom Metal outfit VILE CREATURE played direct support to Kittie and gave a crushing set. The non-binary duo proudly flew their LGBTQ colors and gave an impassioned emotional speech about the influence that Kittie had on them as youngsters, inspiring them to pick up a guitar and kick some ass. Seeing VILE CREATURE playing in front of a packed History crowd opening for their heroes was an inspirational backdrop that set the perfect stage for Kittie’s return.

Kittie came ready to destroy, opening their set with the blazing “Fire,” which immediately set the tone with a massive circle pit breaking out. The crowd, already buzzing with anticipation, erupted as the first chords hit for “I’ve Failed You” and “Cut Throat,” which only fueled the mosh pit and drove the intensity higher.

One of the night’s highlights was “Spit,” a classic that had the audience screaming along to every word. The band didn’t miss a beat, their tight performance showcasing their veteran prowess and chemistry on stage as a tightly-knit metal powerhouse. “What I Always Wanted” brought a mix of nostalgia and raw emotion, resonating deeply with long-time fans and the younger members of the audience who had likely never seen Kittie live before.

Kittie masterfully balanced their setlist, diving into tracks like “Sorrow I Know” and “Look So Pretty,” each one a testament to their versatility. “Ugly” and “We Are Shadows” kept the momentum going, with Morgan Lander’s vocals piercing through the heavy riffs and thunderous drums.

Kittie dug deep into the catalog for their comeback show, performing “Into the Darkness” for the first time since 2008, which whipped old-school fans into a frenzy before they launched into their new single “Eyes Wide Open” from their new album, adding depth to the evening’s sonic assault.

Closing the main set with “Mouthful of Poison” and “Brackish,” Kittie left no stone unturned. The ferocity of their performance was palpable, and the audience responded with equal fervor. “We Are the Lamb” wrapped up the set, leaving the crowd begging for more.

The encore was nothing short of spectacular. “One Foot in the Grave” brought the house down, and as the opening notes of “Do You Think I’m a Whore” rang out, the room erupted once more. Kittie delivered their final blows with a force that left everyone in awe.

Watching Kittie’s evolution and lasting impact is nothing short of incredible. From watching Kittie as a group of naive youngsters play London’s legendary Call The Office opening for Scratching Post (a band Kittie looked up to) to seeing them headline a capacity crowd at History in Toronto was a moment of pure metal bliss.