There’s no faking it when Jake E. Lee takes the stage. Every note is a reminder that some legends don’t just survive—they evolve, sharpen, and then show up in your town to burn the walls down.
At The Rockpile in Toronto, Red Dragon Cartel brought their Patina Tour into full throttle mode, delivering a set that felt both dangerously loose and meticulously refined—like a blues-fueled muscle car with chrome-flared edges and a growl under the hood. And the growl came early.
Opening with Wasted, the tone was clear. Lee’s guitar snarled and soared in equal measure, while frontman Darren James Smith proved himself not just a capable vocalist but a compelling presence, pushing every chorus toward the edge of collapse and holding it there just long enough to thrill.
With Havana and Punchclown, the crowd was treated to some of Patina’s bluesier, more groove-oriented cuts. Esposito’s bass was thick and confident, anchored in the grit but smooth where it mattered. Phil Varone’s drumming, always tasteful, sometimes felt like it was pulling from a dozen genres—tight where the old-school demanded it, but loose enough to give Jake’s solos breathing room.
By the time 3 Day Funk—a tribute to Lee’s Badlands days—rang out, the crowd’s chants had started to sound like they were demanding something instead of simply appreciating it. And Lee gave it to them. A wall of tone, taste, and touch—he hasn’t lost a step, and maybe never will.
Spiders in the Night, the Ozzy-era cut, landed like a jolt from another life. It didn’t feel out of place, but more like a ghost sneaking into the room to remind everyone just how deep Jake’s musical lineage runs.
Ink & Water was a standout—textured and moody, it showed how far this band has come in building a sound that nods to the past but refuses to live there. The closer, Feeder, with its layered dynamics and swagger, sealed the deal: Red Dragon Cartel isn’t a side project, a comeback, or a vanity trip—it’s a storm.
The locals CounterWait, Rustik, and the Ayden Jacobs Project set the stage like true believers in the religion of loud. Regular fixtures at The Rockpile and well known across the Toronto rock scene, these bands are no strangers to opening for touring acts. CounterWait leaned into melodic grit, Rustk delivered a heavier and more forceful sound, and the Ayden Jacobs Project impressed us all with their technical flair. Each act held their own and raised the bar for what an opener should be.
For a venue like The Rockpile, which lives for moments that cut through the noise, this wasn’t just a concert. It was a lesson in tone, a masterclass in grit, and a reminder that Jake E. Lee didn’t just play with legends—he is one.
I’m Drew, the founder and editor of Front of the Stage. I have a strong love for music and photography, which started at a very young age. There’s just something I love about experiencing live music and capturing memories that will last a lifetime, and that’s how Front of the Stage came to be.
