SATURDAY AT ROCK ON THE RANGE PART 2: HINDER, ALTER BRIDGE, STAIND, KORN, AVENGED SEVENFOLD
Click here if you missed Part 1.
As we headed into the hottest part of the day at Rock on the Range on Saturday, Oklahoma City rockers Hinder took to the stage in the all important 4:20 time slot. Their sex, drugs and rock ‘n roll themed songs fit right in with the spirit of the festival. The audience was particularly enthused by the dope and hate sex anthem Get Stoned. They gave an energetic performance, despite an injury to bassist Mike Rodden which left him on crutches and stuck in a chair for the set. Part of the way through the set, charismatic singer Austin Winkler jumped off the stage and climbed up on the barricade to serenade the crowd.
When the remaining members of Creed brought in vocalist Myles Kennedy and formed Alter Bridge, many critics predicted that they wouldn’t last. Seven years later, they have proved the critics wrong and at Rock on the Range 2011, they played a prime slot on the main stage. Driven by Mark Tremonti’s fierce playing, they powered through a tight set, ending with the hit single Isolation.
As Staind began their set, singer Aaron Lewis stalked onto the stage, leering at the roaring crowd. Their set was filled with hit after hit, culminating with the 1999 single Mudshovel. But the most enthusiastic sing-a-long came with the penultimate song, It’s Been Awhile.
Korn brought the house down with a boisterous set at sundown. They wasted no time talking and instead rolled into song after song, including an audacious cover of Metallica’s One. They also busted through an energetic medley of some of their favorite hits, including Coming Undone and Twisted Transistor, with a little of Queen’s We Will Rock You thrown in for flavor. Possibly the greatest crowd roar of the night came when singer Jonathan Davis left the stage and reemerged playing the bagpipes.
Avenged Sevenfold always puts on an energy-filled show and Rock on the Range was no exception. Their performance was enhanced by a creepy backdrop and cemetery-inspired set. They were on fire from the beginning, literally, with pyrotechnics highlighting the opening number, Nightmare. They paid tribute to their drummer, the late Jimmy “The Rev” Sullivan, with the touching ballad So Far Away. Touring drummer Arin Ilejay did a great job of rounding out the band’s sound. They brought the first night of the festival to a thrilling close with Bat Country and Unholy Confessions.
Coverage of Sunday at Rock on the Range will be up soon. Don’t miss it!
Saturday’s complete line up:
Downplay
Hourcast
Egypt Central
2 Cents
Black Veil Brides
POD
Trust Company
Asking Alexandria
Crossfade
My Darkest Days
Escape the Fate
Danzig
Finger Eleven
Rev Theory
Sick Puppies
Hinder
Alter Bridge
Staind
Korn
Avenged Sevenfold
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