Tag: sevendust

August 2, 2023 – The Stone Pony Summer Stage, Asbury Park NJ

Review by Chris Yates // Photography by Estelle Massry

On a beautiful summer night at the Jersey Shore the Summer Stage at The Stone Pony was set ablaze by the powerful sounds of Mammoth, Sevendust, and Alter Bridge. The crowd was buzzing with anticipation as fans of all ages gathered to witness this epic lineup.

I’ve had the fortunate opportunity to see and review these bands a few times before (3 to be exact) and each time I experience them I’m not even close to being left for a loss of words.

Kicking off the night was Mammoth, and as reviewed before, a rising force in the rock scene celebrating their new album Mammoth II. Despite their relative newcomer status, the band showcased their undeniable talent, delivering a performance that demanded attention. Lead vocalist Wolfgang Van Halen roared with passion and delivered their guitar-driven anthems which resonated with the crowd, setting a high bar for the night ahead. After playing on this night, Mammoth were to appear on the Today Show the following morning and tested some new material as they practiced for their morning national television debut.

In addition to being added to this tour, Mammoth is also touring and opening for Metallica. The M72 tour, named after Metallica’s newly announced 72 Seasons album, finds the group playing two separate shows in each city without repeating any songs or opening acts. For most North American cities, Mammoth WVH will open the first show.

Sevendust continued the beautiful summer evening, a veteran band known for their distinctive blend of alternative metal and post-grunge were supporting and adding to their 2020 release Blood & Stone with their 14th studio record titled Truth Killer. The announcement came with the release of their latest single “Fence,” set for release on July 28 and is their first release since joining Napalm Records.

As soon as the band hit the stage, the energy level skyrocketed. Loyal Sevendust fans screamed with excitement as the band unleashed a relentless barrage of hits. Lead vocalist Lajon Witherspoon’s vocals were nothing short of impressive, effortlessly shifting from soaring melodies to guttural screams. The band’s tight chemistry was evident, and they interacted effortlessly with the crowd, creating an intense sense of unity and connection. I’m a big fan of Sevendust and how they carved a niche for themselves in a crowded space of heavy rock by providing heavy hitting rock & roll but with soft or smooth edges. Definitely a unique sound and presence with a delivery that just about defines a new genre of music.

As the night rolled on, anticipation reached a fever pitch for, Alter Bridge. The stage was set with a striking backdrop, and great lighting as the sun set on Asbury Park, NJ. The crowd’s anticipation was palpable. From the moment they took the stage, Alter Bridge displayed why they are considered one of the modern giants of rock music.

Lead singer Myles Kennedy’s voice was nothing short of awe-inspiring. With his incredible vocal range and emotional delivery, he effortlessly navigated through their expansive catalog of hits. Guitar virtuoso Mark Tremonti shredded through riffs with precision, leaving fans in awe of his technical prowess. Bassist Brian Marshall and drummer Scott Phillips laid down a rock-solid foundation, driving the rhythm with power and precision.

While it’s summertime at the beach in NJ, don’t tell that to Mark Tremonti. The Alter Bridge and Creed guitarist has announced his first-ever holiday album, titled Christmas Classics New & Old. The new release sees Tremonti singing and performing nine holiday classics and one original song. For the LP, Tremonti teamed up with the same orchestra that played on his recent Frank Sinatra covers album Christmas Classics New & Old arrives October 27th.

As for some of the holiday classics, Tremonti puts his own spin on traditional songs such as “Jingle Bells,” “The First Noel,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “O Holy Night” and more. His original holiday song is called “Christmas Morning” and features piano and a marching band.

Highlights of the night included spine-tingling renditions of classics like “Blackbird,” “Metalingus,” and “Isolation.” The band also showcased songs from their latest album, captivating the audience with their newest creations.

The light show and stage production were also on point, complementing the music with stunning visual effects that added to the overall experience. The synergy between the band members and their passion for their craft were evident throughout the performance, creating an electric atmosphere that left a lasting impression on everyone present.

The Mammoth, Sevendust, and Alter Bridge concert was an unforgettable night of rock music at its finest. Each band brought their A-game, and the result was an explosive display of talent and passion. From the cool riffs of Mammoth to the iconic anthems of Sevendust and the awe-inspiring performance of Alter Bridge, this show will undoubtedly be etched into the memory of every rock enthusiast fortunate enough to be in attendance. If you ever get the chance to witness these rock giants live, don’t miss it – you won’t be disappointed!

For more info please visit http://www.alterbridge.com. http://www.mammothwvh.com. http://www.sevendust.com

September 16, 2022 – Starland Ballroom, Sayreville NJ

Review by Chris Yates // Photography by Estelle Massry

The heavy hitting, alternative metal, heavy metal, hard rock band Sevendust blew the roof off the Starland Ballroom last Friday night as they played explosively to a packed house of fans. The band played their entire Animosity album (plus a few extras) to the roaring delight of the crowd. The band celebrated their 20th anniversary of their album “Animosity” (21st actually due to Covid) which is the third studio album by the American rock band hailing from Atlanta, Georgia. The album was released on November 13, 2001 and appeared on the Billboard 200, remained there for thirteen weeks, peaking at No. 28, and was certified gold on March 11, 2002.

Sevendust is comprised of: Lajon Witherspoon (lead vocals), Clint Lowery (lead guitar, backing vocals), John Connolly (rhythm guitar, backing vocals), Vinnie Hornsby (bass), and Morgan Rose (drums, backing vocals).

It was my first time seeing Sevendust and by the end of the first song I was a fan! Sevendust played with tremendous energy and for as hard metal rock as their music is, the stage presence of each member and the front-man work of Lajon Witherspoon were very welcoming, uplifting, and created an amazingly feel-good environment. I didn’t want it to end. They obviously have a huge following of superfans, as people traveled from all over and many from great distances to see them play. The crowd knew every word to every song and sang along with Lajon and team to each belting lyric. The fans were having a blast and surfed the crowd being passed along on their backs from the back of the floor to the pit in front of the stage. They were having an amazing time and feeding off the fun and positive energy of Sevendust.

I must acknowledge the security working at the Starland Ballroom. About 6 of them were lined up with backs against the stage with the knowledge of the level of crowd-surfing that was to come. I had one eye on the band and the other on the safety of our photographer (Estelle) as the pit was tight with security and other photographers. Security caught and hauled every surfer over the rails and were gently (in most cases) escorted back out to the crowd. It was such a cyclical pattern of surfing that I noticed some of the same individuals coming through for a 5th, 6th and even 7th time, resembling an amusement park ride you take over and over again. Singing with a smile, Lajon and Sevendust welcomed the fun and the energy, fist-bumping and slapping hands with fans as they safely landed stage-front before being escorted away.

Opening for Sevendust were: Burden of the Sky, Bastardane & Nonpoint.

Working backwards from the headliner and playing just before Sevendust, Nonpoint brought the same tremendous, fun energy to their playing as Sevendust and made for a great pairing. Prior to Nonpoint, Bastardane played with thundering prowess and were anchored by drummer and heavy metal rock royalty, Castor Hetfield, son of Metallica’s James Hetfield. It was fun to see him play with similar mannerisms. It was a great evening of Rock & Roll.