Article: Mike Bengo
Photos: Michael Olivas
When Lamb of God comes to town, it is a “we have to go” show for sure, and this year’s visit did not disappoint. It was a tour of headliners in their own right. A father and son, maybe early teens, were behind me and asked who was next. The father wasn’t exactly clear on who was on this lineup, so I explained it was Kerry King.
The dad looked puzzled until told him it was Slayer’s original guitarist! A smile appeared on the dads face, andI looked at his son and told him, “It’s your lucky night.” I’ve been a Slayer fan since their first ever tour; they were in a school bus playing Legion Halls around the west coast when I first saw them, but tonight was a far cry from those shows. A Thrash Metal legend, Kerry King and his band electrified AZ Financial Theater, with their fiery red and dark blue/red stage setup. It was relentless and nothing short of heavy, as if they had an unyielding desire to dominate all who stood in their way on. They delivered a powerful performance featuring tracks from King’s explosive solo debut From Hell I Rise, such as “Where I Reign” and “Idle Hands,” alongside Slayer classics like “Raining Blood” and “Black Magic.” King was ferocious throughout his brief but intense set, with Death Angel’s Mark Osegueda providing soaring vocals and Slayer’s Paul Bostaph on drums, driving the crowd wild and sparking frenzied mosh pits. Although I wished for a longer set list, King’s material proved to be as impressive live as it is on record. You can stream Kerry’s music on any platform to explore more of Thrash Metal’s greatest guitarists catalogue.
MASTODON was slated next, and their exceptional set heavily featured their 2004 album Leviathan.
They played the album in full, starting with the stunning “Blood and Thunder” and concluding with “Joseph Merrick,” all while showcasing a dramatic stage show with fire, dynamic visuals, and thick smoke. Troy Sanders, Brent Hinds, Bill Kelliher, and Brann Dailor delivered an electrifying performance, impressing the crowd with their technical prowess and earning a roaring ovation. After reviving one of the most significant metal albums of the last twenty years, singer Brann took a moment to express gratitude and reflect on the significance of touring with Lamb of God, celebrating two decades of both bands respective masterpiece albums and their long-standing friendship. Mastodon’s performance was exceptional, and here’s hoping they continue to celebrate Leviathan for decades to come.
It was finally time for Richmond, Virginia’s legendary groove metal band Lamb of God to dominate the stage with their 2004 album Ashes of the Wake!
Phoenix, Arizona, showed up and showed out. Their deep affection for the band and the album was apparent in the crowd’s response to D. Randall “Randy” Blythe’s vocals, Mark Morton and Willie Adler’s guitar work, John Campbell’s bass, and Art Cruz’s drumming. The band’s performance was exceptional, with the opening tracks “Laid to Rest,” “Hourglass,” and “Now You’ve Got Something to Die For” sparking intense mosh pits.
The set continued with Randy’s signature “WOOOOOO’s!”—a nod to Ric Flair—while fans tore up the circle pit. After concluding Ashes of the Wake in its entirety, the band unleashed “Walk With Me in Hell” and “Redneck” to wrap up a phenomenal show. I always look forward to seeing Lamb of God, and being able to be in attendance to celebrate Ashes of the Wake, was nothing short of special.
