Pledge your allegiance: Allegion's first ever show, at Hard Luck Bar in Toronto

If you weren't at Hard Luck Bar on Friday night, you missed the introduction of Toronto's new blood. Allegion, local gothic metal newcomers, played their first ever live show on a stacked bill with AfterMath, Vulpecula and DevilPlan. Instead of the usual mosh pit, the band froze the room: the crowd stayed locked in place while visceral shrieks cut through the tension.

Vocalist Alena took the front of the stage in dark, cracked face paint, and the whole set carried a heavy, sinister energy that was a gift to shoot in the raw venue lights. We caught up with all five of them once the gear was packed away, about the debut, the post-show food run, and what comes next.

Roll call

Let's start with a roll call. State your names and your weapon of choice.

David: lead/rhythm guitar. Alena: vocals and lyrics. Emile: drums. Brandon: rhythm/lead guitar. Stefan: bass guitar.

When and how did Allegion form?

Allegion formed in the spring of 2024, by David and Alena, through an online music ad.

Where does the band name come from?

"Allegion", for we are many.

Name your single biggest influence on how you play right now.

Collectively, we're pulling a lot of inspiration from bands like Periphery, Cynic, Paradise Lost, Epica and Draconian right now.

The first show

This was your first ever show. What was the anxiety and adrenaline like, and how did it feel to finally unleash these tracks on a crowd?

Anxiety and adrenaline were high for some of us, but overall it was very exciting to perform tracks we have been working on and practicing for a while.

Describe your sound in three words that have nothing to do with music.

Heavy, atmospheric, vampiric.

Alena, we have to talk about the face paint. It looks almost like cracked porcelain, or dark veins creeping across your face. What is the story behind the design?

The design is inspired by dark tree branches and the idea of having a mask on stage. I love makeup, and going the extra mile for a stage outfit helps me with my stage fright and adds to my stage persona.

The important questions

Emile, after the show we were talking about hunting down shawarma near Hard Luck Bar. Was the mission a success, and what is your rating?

I must say I was impressed by the flavour and price point of the wrap, as well as the customer service we received.

One goal or milestone on the bucket list for next year?

To play more shows, and to release some music online.

That last answer is the part worth holding on to. There is no Allegion record to stream yet, no single, nothing to press play on after reading this. The closest thing to a reference point is that list of influences: the technical end of prog metal meeting gothic doom. For now the only way to actually hear this band is to stand in a room with them, which is exactly what a first show is supposed to feel like.

Credits

Words and photos by Zach (@zachaureliano) for TREACLE. Allegion played Hard Luck Bar, Toronto, on Friday 24 July 2026, with AfterMath, Vulpecula and DevilPlan.