I don’t tend to admit this but, after last night’s show, I’m willing to shout it from the rooftop. I love nu-metal. Go ahead and snicker and judge as I would expect nothing less but, if you were at the show last night, you would probably be on this rooftop with me. I honestly didn’t know that nu-metal was still a thing and, when in the mood for that type of music, I always revert back to my angsty teenage years. After last night’s show at the Myth, I realize that this scene didn’t go anywhere and I’m an idiot for thinking that.
The night started promptly at 7:45 with Arizona based Ded. I was excited to see this band as two of the members (the guitarist and bassist) are members of Greeley Estates. I was always struck by Greeley Estates’ energy when I saw them live so I was excited to see if that would translate into this new band. It definitely did and the addition of singer Joe Cotela and drummer Matt Reinhard was just the icing on the cake. Although they are a brand spanking new band having just released their debut album, they are clearly making waves throughout the scene. Their sound stuck to the nu-metal way of things but you could feel this influence of hardcore bands along the lines of Every Time I Die. It had hooks that you couldn’t help but get caught in all the while keeping a very heavy, very brutal feel to it. Unfortunately, their set was short and it felt like as soon as I started picking out the nuances about this band that I loved, they were packing up and heading backstage. Being that these guys are brand new, I can’t help but be hopeful that they will be back in the Twin Cities sooner rather than later and, watch out friends, you’re coming with me.
The stage was quickly turned over for Kings Bounty, the next and only other opening act of the night. Much like Ded, this New York City band definitely has strong nu-metal influences but have put their own spin on it. Within the first song, I was struck by singer Anthony “Q” Quiles’ voice. It didn’t seem to match the heavily distorted instrumentation going on behind it yet it somehow enhanced it. Instead of a growl or unrecognizable words, Anthony’s voice was very clear and concise while keeping a sense of intensity behind it. As mentioned, the instrumentation behind the voice was your typical, distorted nu-metal sound but, like Anthony’s voice there was this uniqueness to it. It almost leaned more towards the alternative world than the metal world. Regardless of that was because of the vocals or the catchy almost pop like beats and rhythms, I loved it and it was like a breath of fresh air into a scene that I apparently thought was dead.
Closing out the night and celebrating almost 25 years of making some of the most iconic nu-metal music there is was Korn. It’s hard for me to put into words how much I love this band and, no, I’m not kidding. For some reason Korn seems to have a bad reputation among most of my friends and the metal scene in general. I don’t know if it’s because of the whole almost rap-rock thing or what but I love them and I don’t care what anyone else thinks. Also, let’s be honest, being a band since 1993 and only have one non-original member is a feat in today’s music industry.
As soon as iconic lead singer Jonathan Davis came out on the stage in his signature kilt, the crowd exploded into one of the sweatiest messes I have seen at a concert in a long while. As the band blasted through the first couple of songs, that sweaty mess turned into an even bigger cluster and the smile on my face grew from ear to ear. It didn’t matter where you were standing, you were getting pushed and shoved by strangers and would, in minutes, be drenched in other people’s sweat. I had claimed a spot close to the stage and on the side where it usually stays calm and collected but, by the third song, I found myself having a hard time staying upright as the crowd around me swelled with the music.
The music pumped through the speakers and their notorious nose-ring-rattling bass lines had me on the verge of constant sneezing. The intensity of the music was rivaled by the relentless light show but never faltered. It wasn’t that you could just see the lights and the energy on stage, you could literally feel it in your bones. Was it a bit much? Maybe. Did I feel bad for the people around me who didn’t break earplugs? Of course. But, it was an element of Korn’s set that, without it, would have completely changed the vibe of the night.
Now excuse me while I fan girl for one paragraph– I talk like I was just an observer of the people going completely ape shit over Korn but, truth be told, I was one of them. I knew I was going to be close to the stage as I stood where I always stand at The Myth but something about being that close to a band that I looked up to so much was a game changer. As soon as the band started playing, I could feel the air whisp by as guitarist Brian “Head” Welch headbanged along to the music letting his dreadlocks whip to and from. I definitely had stars in my eyes and my head in the clouds as I watched this monumental band from within arms reach. It was one of those nights that, as I turned to glance at the insane crowd behind me, I couldn’t help but be overwhelmed by the fact that this is my life night after night and show after show.
With a twelve song set followed by a three song encore, it felt to me like Korn could have played for another four hours and I still wouldn’t have heard every song I wanted to hear. That being said, for the time that was allotted, Korn did a great job of trying to hit on every era of their truly influential lifespan. From the first note of “Rotting In Vain” until the final word of “Freak On A Leash” there was not a single moment where there wasn’t a smile on my face as I sang along to songs that I could never forget the lyrics of no matter how long it had been since I heard them. The energy reigned supreme throughout the set and never faltered leaving the [had to have been] sold out crowd more than satisfied with the show.
I have been to over 150 shows so far this year. Last night is definitely in the top 20, if not the top 10. I truly can’t put into words how amazing Korn was last night and how bad I feel for you if you missed it.
