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. Here’s how the night unfolded.A father and son, maybe early teens, were behind me and asked who’s was next. The father wasn’t exactly clear on who was on this lineup. I explained it was Kerry King.
The dad looked puzzled, I told him it’s Slayer’s original guitarist! A smile appeared on the dads face, I 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, but tonight was definitely different. Thrash Metal legend KERRY KING and his band electrified Phoenix Financial Theater, with their fiery red and dark blue/red stage setup. It was relentless and nothing short of heavy. It’s a unyielding desire to dominate all who stood in their way on a Friday night. 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 with more tracks from his solo work or Slayer, King’s solo material proved to be as impressive live as it is on record. You can stream Kerry’s music on any platform to explore more about one of Thrash Metal’s greatest guitarists.
MASTODON began their exceptional set featuring 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 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. 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 their respective masterpieces 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’s to dominate the stage with their 2004 album Ashes of the Wake!
Phoenix, Arizona, showed their deep affection for the band. 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 was exceptional, with the opening tracks “Laid to Rest,” “Hourglass,” and “Now You’ve Got Something to Die For” sparking intense mosh pits.
The performance 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, the band unleashed “Walk With Me in Hell” and “Redneck,” wrapping up a phenomenal show in Phoenix. I look forward to seeing Lamb of God celebrate many more decades of Ashes of the Wake.
