TORONTO -- A Perfect Circle roared into the Ricoh Coliseum last night, creating a mood that was simultaneously dark and yet beautiful for the close to capacity crowd of teens and twentysomethings.

Led by lead singer Maynard James Keenan, who does double duty in his other project Tool, the band's 95-minute set rarely veered from melancholic melodies, tales of alienation and occasionally punishing guitars.

Touring in support of its sophomore album Thirteenth Step, the group opened with Vanishing. Singing behind a curtain with only his silhouette and two drums on each side visible, Keenan's enigmatic-meets-psychedelic stage presence only heightened tight and studio perfected tunes such as Pet and The Hollow.

Just as important as the music was the lighting used for the show. With lights behind him and soft colours used sparingly, Keenan preferred to be left in the dark to do his job, prodding around as if he was possessed by an elderly Ozzy Osbourne.

Perhaps what worked best though was the sum being greater than its parts, and mighty fine parts at that. Revamped thanks to former Smashing Pumpkins guitarist James Iha and former Marilyn Manson bassist Jeordie White, songs such as Thinking Of You and Blue ranged from somber and dreary arrangements to loud and bombastic hard rock riffs.

Unfortunately, Keenan and his bandmates were not being payed on wowing the crowd with stage theatrics or banter. Keenan, Iha and drummer Josh Freese were stationary on a riser while White and guitarist Billy Howerdel acted like statues. Howerdel and Iha often traded licks when not taking brief solos.

The only light moment came prior to Weak And Powerless. "What's up with the outfits?" Keenan asked his bandmates, all of whom except Keenan had dressed in white for the occasion. "I don't know if you're from Clockwork Orange or at a Jimmy Buffett concert."

There were few warm hearted or uplifting songs though on this night. Perhaps the highlight of the evening was The Package which showcased the band's softer and harder sides within a couple of verses. On the verge of lulling the crowd to sleep, the number turned on a dime and morphed into a heavy, brooding climax. Keenan was at his best here also, dancing in circles when not bent over delivering lyrics.

The evening's homestretch included a rather lengthy The Nurse Who Loved Me and also Gravity. But it was the closing Judith, from the band's debut album Mer de Noms, that ended the night with several loud cheers from an enthused crowd hanging on every note.

Opening for A Perfect Circle was Burning Brides, a garage rock trio that seemed to overstay their welcome. Nonetheless, the group did succeed with songs from its debut Fall Of The Plastic Empire.

JAM! Rating: 4 out of 5