Nickelback in concert at the Molson Amphitheatre. (Toronto Sun/Craig Robertson)

Although the Fourth of July is an American holiday, it didn't stop Nickelback from celebrating the day with flames, fireworks, explosions and beer.

That and some heavy rock and roll.

The group, nearing the homestretch of a world tour behind 2005's All the Right Reasons, sounded at times like they were on their last legs during their roughly 90-minute set. But the near-capacity crowd at Toronto's Molson Amphitheatre gave them whatever extra boost they might have needed beginning with the meaty rocker Animals from their last album.

"Toronto, what's going on!" lead singer Chad Kroeger shouted early on. "Are we going to have a good f---ing time?" Judging by the screams, fist pumps and head bobs, it appeared that they were.

The band, who often have been the target of many critics, quickly tore into another loud, punishing rock tune entitled Woke Up This Morning before slowing things down briefly with Photograph. The song was the first to have Kroeger being drowned out at times by the all-ages audience.

While Nickelback, which also includes guitarist Ryan Peake, drummer Daniel Adair and bassist Mike Kroeger, picked the pace up again with the relentless, metal-laced Because of You, they slowed things down again with the ballad Far Away.

After asking what day it was, Nickelback opted for a cover of Elton John's Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting with Peake taking lead vocals. The song, which has appeared on CBC's Hockey Night in Canada, went over fairly well as the group led a series of fist pumps to close.

Midway through the set was the first of a string of breathers or time wasters which briefly stifled the momentum. After citing how the band likes to blow up stuff and other "nitty gritty redneck s--t," members of opening acts State Of Shock and Daughtry shot t-shirts out into the crowd from four "cannons."

Perhaps more impressive was the band's beer tossing talents. Following Side of a Bullet which was dedicated to the late Pantera guitarist Dimebag Darrell, Peake pitched several plastic cups filled with beer into the crowd, occasionally without spilling a drop. "We like watching you fight over ice cold beer," Kroeger said as the cups were wheeled out.

But aside from the free beer, fans soaked up the string of hits such as the power ballad Savin' Me, the mid-tempo, radio-friendly Someday and their breakthrough hit How You Remind Me.

Another highlight was the recent digital single If Everyone Cared. The band nailed the song as the video screen behind them showed images of activists like Bob Geldof and Nelson Mandela. The single has raised hundreds of thousands for various causes and charities.

Opening up for Nickelback were bands who seem to aspire to get close to where Nickelback are in terms of popularity and sales, including Daughtry. The band, fronted by former American Idol contestant Chris Daughtry, won the crowd over with songs from its debut album.

Meanwhile, Puddle Of Mudd and State Of Shock delivered decent but rather short sets.