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Mighty metalheads, Godsmack, played a punchy show at Hard Rock Live last Friday.
A herd of leather-clad converts filled up the venue and the aroma of dark magic and dead cowhide clung heavy in the humid air. Fans had made the pilgrimage, through the whirlwind of Universal tourists, for a purpose as clear as a shot of vodka—to be ravished by rock.
Before Godsmack resurrected their surly sound, attendees were treated to the ferociousness of Alter Bridge, a band that doesn’t seem to be falling down anytime soon. This opening act, which consisted of all ex-Creed members, minus Scott Stapp, proved that they could rock even harder without the evangelical frontman.
Now Myles Kennedy, who captures rock star appeal, is the man front and center armed with an electric. With stony blue eyes and a voice that can be both gravelly and smooth, he has won the hearts of music aficionados and those craving on-stage eye-candy.
“Open Your Eyes” had that distinct old-school Creed vibe, yet it wasn’t overdone with the righteousness that could get slightly tiresome.
“Ties that bind” was heavy and the band, playing fast, rough and hard, seemed to be channeling Metallica or Motorhead.
During “Broken Wings” Kennedy and the boys mellowed, while lighters were sparked and swayed in the crowd.
Kennedy went solo for a song he said was by “The architects of rock ’n’ roll.” Then he gave us the orders—“If you see my feet tappin’, I want to see you clappin’.” Kennedy took on an essence that would have made Robert Plant proud by belting out Led Zeppelin’s “Lemon Song.” Looking like the ultimate naughty boy of rock, he sang “Squeeze me baby /Till the juice runs down my leg…”
After Alter Bridge closed their set, Godsmack kept metal-fiends waiting. Time crept by, but suddenly the house lights went black and a very loud recording of AC/DC’s “For Those About To Rock (We Salute You) ” blared out of the speakers. When the song reached the part where Brian Johnson shouts “Fire!” crackling pyrotechnics lit up the stage, providing us with fleeting light and a smoky smell.
“Greed” and “Bad Religion” started off the evening with enough testosterone-angst to fuel a rocket. Lead singer Sully Erna’s vocals were a full-bodied cocktail of turpentine dusted with clove ashes, reverberating from the depths of his gut.
During “Voodoo” Erna came off like an over actor, but of course the audience ate it up. The bang of the drums provided a haunting backbeat to Erna’s lurid lyrics— “I’m not the one who’s so far away/When I feel the snake bite enter my veins/Never did I wanna be here again/And I don’t remember why I came...” A ritualistic aura shone throughout this occult ode, which also conjured up images of “demons dreaming.” Fireballs floated up to the venue’s ceiling, all like mini-glowing mushroom clouds of metal.
The amber flamage seemed to be too much for Erna because he shed his shirt after this shadowy song. Of course, ladies around me, young and old, started freaking out over the sight of his bare-chiseled pecs.
Next he busted out with the 1999 hit “Keep Away,” perhaps to keep the female fans at bay. This restraining order set to hard-hitting, harsh riffs was played with a razor-sharp edge. Erna’s lyrics “Do like I told you/Stay away from me/Never misunderstand me/Keep away from me...” almost had me bolting for the exit. Let’s just say this bruting Bostonian knows how to deliver a declarative sentence.
“Whatever” brought more extreme aggression. Mid-song Erna took a break from his own lyrics and started in on Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It,” which prompted a sing-along. Next he sang the line “Come on feel the noise ,” to which attendees shouted back “Girls rock your boys!” After concert goers joined in on the Quiet Riot jam, Erna shook his head in disapproval and with the tone of a disappointed father said, “Ah, why do you know that?”
After all these minor interjections of songs by other artists, detours on this turbulent flight, they finally reached their destination in the rocky closing of “Whatever.” After riling and taunting the crowd, Godsmack most certainly proved that they could satisfy all their “brothers and sisters in the pit.”
They wound down the night with the calm ballad “Serenity” and, like their opening act, brought out the Led Zep with a cover of “Good Times Bad Times.” They closed with the robust “I Stand Alone."
Godsmack summoned back the theatrical rock that I had thought died when Pantera stopped touring. Throughout the night this band, whose name evokes images of a holy- beat-down, crushed rumors that they may be breaking up. Drumstick flips, fire, kick-ass poses and searing guitar shredding proved that for those who like their music thrashing, Godsmack will always reign on high.
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