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August 1st, 2026 was the second night of the Osheaga Music Festival. It saw over 50,000 people flock to Parc Jean-Drapeau. I felt sorry for each and every one of them. They missed the chance to experience Five Finger Death Punch and their invited guests throw a Saturday night party in Montreal. The Centre Bell was the latest stop on their 20th anniversary 2026 world tour. The tour also celebrates their latest album, Legacy. The album was very much anticipated and released the day before the show.

Charged with getting the evening started was Eva Under Fire. The Detroit rockers hit the stage and turned the volume up to 11 with “Awakening.” Singer Eva Marie told the crowd that they were from Detroit and they love to rock! “We also love hockey, as you can tell.” A quick look over at guitarist Rob Lyberg illustrated that point. He wore a brand new Montreal Canadiens jersey, purchased earlier that day. His outfit was completed with a Montreal Expos baseball cap.

Sports team devotion aside, Eva Under Fire lit a fire under the Centre Bell crowd. Eva’s voice was powerful and clean. She graciously stalked the stage, making eye contact with the fans, but your friendly neighbourhood photographers as well. For a first experience, you couldn’t ask for more. The band was loud, the singer was awesome, and the songs rocked. I was impressed, and I surely wasn’t alone.

Country rocker Cody Jinks didn’t waste much time addressing the elephant in the room. His laid-back country style doesn’t really seem like it would jibe with a Five Finger Death Punch crowd. They may be lacking in the thumping drums and wailing guitars, but don’t think for a minute that this band doesn’t know how to rock.

This modern-day man in black opened his set with “Fast Hand.” The crowd was a little slow to warm up to them, but that changed after a blistering guitar solo by Jake Lentner woke them to what they were missing. Along with his trusted Tone-Deaf Hippies, Cody Jinks showed this crowd that country music can rock pretty hard too.

Five Finger Death Punch hit the stage with a fiery blast of pyro. The fans let out a massive cheer as our second Montreal Canadiens jersey of the night appeared. Guitarist Zoltan Bathory was wearing this one. The team has yet to make any big signings this offseason. Maybe they could find some place on the roster for a couple of rockers. Singer Ivan Moody was wearing a cool vest of his own. Complete with the patches of several great bands.

We usually get to photograph the first three songs of a set, but Five Finger Death Punch has us wait a little while. After the opening pyro of “Welcome To The Circus,” the band followed with some new songs from Legacy. “Eye Of The Storm” and “Legacy” were both well received by fans. We were officially welcomed to the Five Finger Circus in time for “Wash It All Away.” Ivan led the crowd in a call and answer drill while we took our positions.

One thing I should address: in past years I have seen much written and said about singer Ivan Moody. On this night, he was super personable, sang with power and intensity, and generally came off as a great guy. The rest of the band was having a great time too. Bassist Chris Kael treated us to some friendly middle finger salutes. At least I hope they were friendly. Looking like the cross between a wrestler and a Nordic beast, I’d hate to upset him. Zoltan Bathory also took the time for some one-finger salutes, though he used a less inflammatory finger.

It was a great evening. The guitars wailed, the drums thumped, the fans cheered, and Ivan roared. I could see the Osheaga spotlights on my way home. Were they aware of what they had missed? Surely, they had a great time. However, for my money, the Saturday night place to be was the Centre Bell. Five Finger Death Punch, Cody Jinks and Eva Under Fire rocked us all.

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