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| Rob Zombie @ the Concord Pavilion (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
The Concord Pavilion played host to a monumental metal spectacle this past Friday night when the "Freaks on Parade" concert took center stage. The amalgamation comprised of Rob Zombie, Alice Cooper, Ministry and Filter left an indelible mark on the ears of all of us in attendance!
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| Filter's Richard Patrick @ the Concord Pavilion (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
Filter wasted no time getting straight to the heart of the matter, opening their 30-minute set with three incredible tracks from their latest album, The Algorithm. (Be sure to check out our recent interview with Filter founder and frontman, Richard Patrick, about the new album here.) What was amazing was that with a 6:10pm start time, there was a decent crowd to hear the band which proved Filter's staying power through the years. The first chords of "The Drowning" shook the venue, setting the tone for an evening of raw energy and unbridled enthusiasm. "For the Beaten" and my personal favorite from teh new album, "Obliteration", followed suit -- each song transporting the audience deeper into Filter's musical universe, showcasing their evolution and of course, Richard's trademark screams.
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| Filter's Jonny Radtke @ the Concord Pavilion (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
As the set drew to a close, Filter left no stone unturned, unleashing a flurry of fan favorites that had the crowd amped up. "Take a Picture" had the entire pavilion singing along, and immediately afterwards I heard Patrick say "there are some of you out there who are saying to yourselves, 'oh, that Filter.'" The infectious energy ramped back up with "Welcome to the Fold" and left no doubt that this was going to be a concert to remember. Closing the set with the iconic "Hey Man, Nice Shot," Patrick's Filter left the stage amid a roaring ovation, their performance etching itself into the hearts of every attendee.
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| Al Jourgensen of Ministry @ the Concord Pavilion (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
After Filter's explosive set, the industrial powerhouse known as Ministry, led by the enigmatic Al Jourgensen, took the stage. Al, along with guitarists Monte Pittman & Cesar Soto, bassist Paul D'Amour, drummer Roy Moyorga, and keyboardist John Bechdel, delivered a relentless 40-minute onslaught of their iconic classics. From the moment the band stepped onto the stage, the crowd was sent hurtling into a world of unrelenting sonic assault and we absolutely loved every second of it.
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| Monte Pittman & Al Jourgensen of Ministry @ the Concord Pavilion (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
The crowd was thrust into the visceral intensity of tracks like "Thieves," "The Missing," and my undeniable highlight, "Supernaut," which sent shockwaves of adrenaline through the entire pavilion. The Black Sabbath cover has always been one of my favorite Ministry adjacent songs, and their live performance of the song simply bombastic. As Ministry neared the end of their set, they dialed up the intensity to eleven. "N.W.O" served as a sonic punch to the gut, its driving rhythm and politically charged lyrics inciting a riotous response from the audience. "Just One Fix" followed suit, with its relentless groove and Jourgensen's distorted vocals driving the crowd into a frenzy.
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| Ministry's Al Jourgensen @ the Concord Pavilion (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
But the apex of the performance was Ministry's last song and latest single. Before launching into the track, Al noted how 'you probably know half these people and they're in the audience tonight, "Goddamn White Trash."' The song's raw energy and biting social commentary hit home with the audience, and the roar of approval was deafening. As the final notes of "Goddamn White Trash" reverberated through the Pavilion, it was clear that Ministry had once again proven their status as legends of industrial rock.
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| Nita Strauss & Alice Cooper @ the Concord Pavilion (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
Next up was the musical theater of Alice Cooper and his exceptional band, featuring guitarists Nita Strauss and Ryan Roxie, bassist Chuck Garric, guitarist/vocalist Tommy Henriksen, and drummer Glen Sobel. And unlike most rock star front men, Alice was more than happy to share the spotlight with each of his band members, allowing them to shine in their own right and with their own solos throughout the night. But it was Nita Strauss, the guitar virtuoso and descendent of famed Austrian composer Johann Strauss, who truly stole the show. We last caught Nita on her solo tour when she played The Ritz in San Jose and as I wrote at the time, don't miss her when when comes back to town and we certainly didn't miss her for tonight's Freaks show!
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| Alice Cooper @ the Concord Pavilion (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
Strauss's electrifying presence was felt throughout the set as she effortlessly commanded the entire stage, including climbing atop two 20-foot high staircases for multiple guitar solos. Her virtuosic guitar work was nothing short of breathtaking, and her boundless energy was infectious. Whether she was unleashing blistering solos or engaging in thrilling duels with Ryan Roxie, Strauss showcased her exceptional talent and became a captivating focal point of the show.
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| Alice Cooper & Nita Strauss @ the Concord Pavilion (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
Cooper's musical prowess was on full display, as he and his talented band, with Tommy Henriksen's versatile guitar work and vocals, delivered a setlist that spanned his illustrious career. Classics like "School's Out," "Poison," and "No More Mr. Nice Guy" had the crowd on their feet, singing along to every word. Cooper's distinctive, raspy vocals were as powerful as ever, and Ryan Roxie's guitar solos were nothing short of electrifying. Chuck Garric's bass added a solid foundation to the band's sound, creating a powerful rhythm, while Glen Sobel's drumming provided the heartbeat of the performance.
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| Nita Strauss & Alice Cooper @ the Concord Pavilion (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
What truly sets an Alice Cooper concert apart, though, is the theatricality. The stage was transformed into a macabre playground, complete with a guillotine and moment where Alice loses his head. A giant boa constrictor joined Alice on "Snakebyte", and multiple costume changes and props made Alice's set a true theatrical musical. Cooper, Roxie, Strauss, Garric, Henriksen, Sobel, and the band's ability to seamlessly weave these theatrical elements into the music is a testament to their cohesion and choreography.
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| Rob Zombie @ the Concord Pavilion (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
At this point in the night, after Filter, Ministry, and Alice Cooper had made their mark on us in the Concord Pavilion audience, it was still mind-blowing that Rob Zombie was still due to come out to close out the parade of freaks we'd witnessed so far. The stage was covered by a black curtain that suddenly dropped to expose Zombie's megaplex of LCD props and risers. Rob Zombie himself was perched on a 20' pedestool emblazened with the word 'Zombie', and behind him, another stage riser for drummer, Ginger Fish. Bassist, Piggy D and guitarist Mike Riggs were left to their own devices at floor level and did their best to scare us in their punk clown disguises.
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| Rob Zombie, Piggy D and Mike Riggs @ the Concord Pavilion (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
With his signature gravelly voice and a stage presence that oozed charisma, Rob Zombie led the audience on a rollercoaster ride through his extensive catalog of hits. The setlist was a masterfully crafted blend of classic White Zombie tracks, solo hits, and fan favorites. From the opening chords of "The Triumph of King Freak" to the thunderous finale of "Dragula," Zombie and his band delivered a high-octane performance that had the crowd in a frenzy from start to finish.
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| Rob Zombie @ the Concord Pavilion (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
Visually, the show was a mind-bending experience. The stage design featured an array of LCD monitors that played psychedelic, alien and haunting visuals, creating an immersive and otherworldly atmosphere. Combined with the eerie props and set pieces, it was as if the audience had stepped into a dark and twisted dreamscape. Zombie's larger-than-life presence was complemented by his incredible backing band. And together, they created a wall of sound that was as powerful as it was electrifying.
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| Rob Zombie @ the Concord Pavilion (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
I would have sincerely been happy if the show consisted of only Filter and Ministry, but to get Alice Cooper and Rob Zombie included with the price of admission really just made for an incredible concert. It's no wonder this tour's been selling out across the country and one of the most anticipated shows this year. Unfortunately, there are only a few dates left as they close out the tour in Southern California, and I'd be shocked if they make it out again with this same configuration, but here's hoping!
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