Words by Montana Bullock
Veteran metal masters Slipknot brought their Knotfest Roadshow to the Bridgestone Arena on September 20 with special guests Ice Nine Kills and Crown the Empire.
Openers Crown the Empire, after suffering from lineup changes for the last few years, have solidified around singer Andy Leo, guitarist Brandon Hoover, bassist Hayden Tree, and drummer Jeeves Avalos. Slinging their catchy brand of metalcore since 2010, Crown the Empire served up a dose of pop sensibility paired with heavy guitar riffs creating a unique sound sure to earn them more fans on the road.
Toiling away since 2000, Ice Nine Kills has been blowing up since the release of the “Silver Scream” albums focused on different classic horror movies. Their sound really runs the range from catchy mainstream metal to near-death metal brutality, including guest vocalist George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher from Cannibal Corpse on their last release. Comprised by Spencer Charnas on vocals, the twin guitar attack of Ricky Armellino and Dan Sugarman, Joe Occhiuti on bass, and Patrick Galante on drums they paired theatricality with abundant doses of heaviness, turning into a fantastic appetizer until the arrival of the f headliners.
Slipknot has been bludgeoning audiences all over the world since 1999, and the nine-piece outfit has never sounded more punishing, with their long-awaited arrival of their new album “The End, So Far” looming on the horizon. Led by the outspoken front-man Corey Taylor, Slipknot’s aural assault was as radical as it was pulverizing. If you’ve never been to a live Slipknot show before, well, prepare yourself; their mosh-pits are the stuff legends are made of, and this night was no exception. Despite this was the first time I saw them live, it felt like a bomb went off and sucked all the air out of the room while bodies swirled around the room. Without the shadow of a doubt, a memorable experience I’d love to repeat as soon as possible.
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