MUSIC AS A WEAPON IV: REVIEW & PHOTOS
by: Allen Ross Thomas
Music As A Weapon IV: Disturbed, Killswitch Engage, Chimaira, Lacuna Coil
Gwinnett Arena, Dacula, Ga, USA, April 8th, 2009
Music As A Weapon IV stormed into a suburb of Atlanta this evening led by Disturbed and main stage tour mates Lacuna Coil, Chimaira, and Killswitch Engage while supported by second stage acts and a sideshow of vendors and artists. The all day event begins with second stage acts which appear to be free (hint hint). The main show then begins on the main stage for a 5 hour onslaught from a diverse and appreciated mix of “NU Metals” finest.
First up is Lacuna Coil whom I have never had the pleasure of seeing live. Pleasure is an understatement having seen them perform. With the shared male/female front persons in Christina and Anthony backed by a diverse and technically proficient band, the blending of metal with melodic passages and gothic overtones. A perfect start to the evening.
Chimaira hit the stage next with a performance that can only be described as “brutal”. The hardest and most energetic act of the night, Chimaira rocked, and rocked, and rocked some more raising the heat in the 15000+ seat venue another seemingly 20 degrees.
Next, Killswitch Engage took the stage. Clearly a crowd favorite, KSE delivered to the fans a flawlessly performed set of fan favorites, band favorites, and material from their forthcoming release. Serious performers and serious fan motivators, KSA announced during the fourth song that wanted to see everyone in the audience crowd surfing. And in turn they did – for the remainder of the set. My greatest regret was having to lock camera away with the media escorts as a never-ending stream of fans traveled from one end of the floor to the stage in perfect unison and at times in four distinct rows. Stage security earned their paycheck this evening for certain.
Finally, the festival leaders and in part NU Metal founders Disturbed took the stage with David Draiman descending down and forward from the rafters. Disturbed delivered a fan friendly set of hits and a few deeper album cuts all the while demonstrating while this is their festival, now in its 4th year. Music As A Weapon IV is the biggest and best yet.
Check out the photos from the show by clicking here!
Category: Photo Updates, Reviews
