This summers mega metal festival is without a doubt the Knotfest Roadshow. More than just a tour, Slipknot has built the foundation for a yearly package if they desired to. Featuring 4 heavy hitting bands, a Slipknot + company mega merch store on site, as well as a traveling Slipknot museum featuring items from the bands history makes this show more than just your average package deal. Tinley Park sure showed up with a near sold out crowd proving that not only is metal not dead but it’s here in full force.
Opening up were Polish extreme metal heavyweights Behemoth, who by their set alone would have you thinking they were direct support. Frontman Nergal carries fire, has outfit changes, and commands the stage with a presence that makes other bands look bad all while being heavier than heavy. With smoke cannons, loads of pyro, and showmanship that isn’t often seen this in this brand of metal not only did Behemoth warm the crowd up but proved they have what it takes to cater to arena level metal acts.
French icons Gojira were next and gave the now packed crowd their blend of extreme groove metal. Frontman / guitarist Joe Duplantier mixes his extreme vocals with seemingly effortless guitar skill all at once. Gojira help bring a new definition to the word heavy and proved it again tonight. Now what came next might be the odd band on paper to some with that being Danish rock megastars Volbeat. While the members may have deep roots in the metal genre, Volbeat musically are the lightest sounding band of the tour with their blend of hard rock with a more unique almost rockabilly sounding vocals.
With vocalist / guitarist unique Michael Poulsen unique vocals sounding exactly as they do on record, the band performed on all cylinders. Former Anthrax, now full time member Rob Caggiano helps give the band another major name as well. While Volbeat may not have the stage show of Slipknot or Behemoth, they instead strived for a more music based performance giving the crowd a set full of hits, sing a longs, and some faster moments to bang their heads to.
What can be said about Slipknot that others haven’t. From being trend setters in the world of metal and nu metal, to members having long standing careers outside the band, line up changes, and everything in between you’d think the band would have missed a step along the way. However they’ve done the complete opposite. Supporting their newest record which might be their best in nearly 20 years to a live show that sets the precedent for everyone else, Slipknot is firing on all cylinders at the top of their game.
With easily one of their best stage shows ever featuring pyro, a giant 2 story set, treadmills, and more the band makes sure that every inch of the stage is put to use. With a set incorporating their large catalog of hits as well as sprinkling in new singles from the latest album, it’s clear that Slipknots long history has led to a near perfect setlist. Corey Taylors vocals only seem to improve with age while Jay Weinberg on drums brings all new levels of skills to the table.
With this tour Slipknot confirms their stay as metal icons in this genre and potentially have kick started what could be a new summer traveling festival. Along with killer support bands this is one tour that if it comes your way should not be missed at all.
PHOTO GALLERY
Photos by Alex Valentovich: Apocalyptic Demise Photography
Slipknot
Volbeat
Gojira
Behemoth
