Aftershock Festival – Discovery Park, Sacramento, CA 9/14
By Jeffrey Easton
If its September in Sacramento then it is time to party. September means the arrival of Aftershock and with the Bands in the lineup this year it was a concert that was eagerly awaited for by thousands. The 13th arrived and the fans were already out by the thousands long before doors and you could feel the energy already. By the time the freaks had filed in the main stages were lighting up and Anti Mortem was the band tapped to get it started at the Monster Stage West. Being one of the heavier bands on Saturday, they stood out while pummeling the crowd with material from their new album New Southern and the fans were absolutely ready for their down south heaviness. For metal and heavier rock, Stage West was where you had to stay as the offerings only got better because after Anti Mortem, Memphis May Fire whipped the freaks into a frenzy. With the release of Unconditional, their best and highest charting album, they had a big platform to stand on and they did deliver. No Ordinary Love and Sleepless Nights are unreal and the fans that flocked their stage thought so too. To break away from the bands, Aftershock was a well planned out event with the best food and beverages, period. Like last year they took the best of Sacramento and placed it within arms reach of everybody, from seafood, burgers, booze and everything else you could think of. If you went hungry, you did something wrong. Also, Monster Energy, the shows main sponsor, had a huge tent set up giving away free Monsters as well as holding autograph signings each day of the festival. Black Label Society kept it going for the metal set as no other band can. Zakk Wylde is none for pulling zero punches on stage and this continues to prove true. No matter the album that Zakk has out, he is gonna deliver what the fans want but he is riding on Catacombs Of The Black Vatican and he shelled out Heart Of Darkness from that solid piece of metal. The other main stages had their massive moments as well on day one with Chevelle taking the prize for being the stand out for the alt set. I have followed their career but this was my first time seeing them live and they sold me on what they do on stage. Some bands are better live and that’s the case with Chevelle. Their new album, La Gargola, is a major musical statement but the real feeling of the album is on the stage. Nothing More got their just deserts with a healthy reception from the crowd and for a band on the main stage with only one album in the last five years that’s amazing. They are out doing arenas right now opening for 5FDP and Volbeat and should be recognized so go out and pick up their new S/T record and make them happen again. The first day closed out with an amazing set from garage rockers Weezer and they def took their fans back to the shack with their monster set list that had the fans screaming late into the Sacramento night.
The second day opened loudly with Sacramento’s own powerhouse FallRise on the Coors Light Stage and the party was back on. Sunday was the day for metal heads as the metal was spread out to all stages and it was nonstop till the last note. The metal came loudly as Escape The Fate opened Stage West and with Ungrateful being one of their best outings, ETF had a lot to say.. Om Stage North, Otherwise was getting cranked up for their second Aftershock appearance and they had the fans groveling at their feet. Their super catchy brand of hard rock is easy to get to and having just dropped Peace At All Costs to go along with the brilliant True Love Never Dies, they had plenty to deliver to their supporters. Following Otherwise on Stage North was the return of metalcore legends Atreyu. It was as if they never left the scene at all as the screams that greeted them were deafening to say the least. I want to see how far they go with their reunion and the possible album they should deliver. On Stage South, down tuned legends KYNG took the stage and owned their set. Taking their darkest dirges and amping them up for the Sac crowd worked and the grounds became a feeding ground of rabid animals. If you have yet to check out Burn The Serum, you are truly missing out. Sunday, as it was announced, was a sell out and it was noticeably more crowded with sweaty metal heads. That being said it was hotter than hell but who cares when you have the slate of bands that Aftershock had. The grounds were dusty from it being trampled so it was basically a dust storm all day but it was adapted to by the addition of bandannas and the will to not care. The food again was great, Crazy Dave’s had great artist signings all day as well as the best instruments in their booth and Monster was back giving away free energy drinks and the highlight of the day there was John 5 from Rob Zombie’s band holding court doing a signing. The Coors Stage was burning it up with sets from New Medicine who are back after four years with the smoking album Breaking the model as well as Unlocking The Truth making a stunning Sacramento debut. These kids are going to go far, just remember that name. Lacuna Coil closed out the Coors Stage and honestly they belonged on the main stage but they owned the headliner status for this stage and they blew the crowd away. Back on the other side of the park Black Stone Cherry took their southern branded hard rock and kicked the Sac crowd with it. This band is nonstop energy and Ben Wells never stopped running around while slinging his mighty ax… They are four albums into their massive career and Magic Mountain has them at full stride. Of Mice & Men was one of the main bands I was looking forward to and they did not disappoint. They are one of the biggest bands right now with a solid legion of fans that have bought their new album Restoring Force in droves. Their metalcore runs deeper than most and their message to their fans is awe inspiring. Buckcherry was at Aftershock again and they never let anybody down. Taking their pages from 80’s hard rock and bringing it further into the 2000’s Buckcherry style always gets them attention and never a disappointed fan, ever. One of the few disappointments was Seether. I have never witnessed their live show and hopefully I won’t have to again. For a major band with massive record sales they sure looked bored and uninspired. It may be me but if I was touring, selling records and playing to thousands of people I would try to look happier, just saying. On the opposite spectrum of that was Rise Against, who looked overjoyed to be on stage in front of 19000 people. They are one of my fav bands and The Black Market is one of the best records released this year. They did not let go of the fans till the last note dropped, everybody was mesmerized. Five Finger Death Punch closed out Stage South and seemingly that’s who everybody was there to see. The crowd was deafening as they dealt their trailer park metalcore out on the throngs of devoted freaks. They may not be my fav band by far but I can appreciate how they engage their fans.. As far as I am concerned, Rob Zombie was the pivotal focal point of the night. His stage show, his banter with the crowd and above all his music is perfection personified. During the first few tracks he played a snippet of Sex Machine by James Brown and encouraged the females to get on the shoulders of others and when security tried to stop them he chastised them and demanded that the fans do what they wanted. Rob got what he wanted. A true showman that wants the fans to feel like they are part of the show and that he did. Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor is what he is touring behind and it is full of filthy Zombie classics and truly deserves your attention. So this in my opinion topped last year and I can only see in the future the festival getting bigger but how they can top this year is beyond me.
Official Aftershock Festival Site
By Jeffrey Easton
If its September in Sacramento then it is time to party. September means the arrival of Aftershock and with the Bands in the lineup this year it was a concert that was eagerly awaited for by thousands. The 13th arrived and the fans were already out by the thousands long before doors and you could feel the energy already. By the time the freaks had filed in the main stages were lighting up and Anti Mortem was the band tapped to get it started at the Monster Stage West. Being one of the heavier bands on Saturday, they stood out while pummeling the crowd with material from their new album New Southern and the fans were absolutely ready for their down south heaviness. For metal and heavier rock, Stage West was where you had to stay as the offerings only got better because after Anti Mortem, Memphis May Fire whipped the freaks into a frenzy. With the release of Unconditional, their best and highest charting album, they had a big platform to stand on and they did deliver. No Ordinary Love and Sleepless Nights are unreal and the fans that flocked their stage thought so too. To break away from the bands, Aftershock was a well planned out event with the best food and beverages, period. Like last year they took the best of Sacramento and placed it within arms reach of everybody, from seafood, burgers, booze and everything else you could think of. If you went hungry, you did something wrong. Also, Monster Energy, the shows main sponsor, had a huge tent set up giving away free Monsters as well as holding autograph signings each day of the festival. Black Label Society kept it going for the metal set as no other band can. Zakk Wylde is none for pulling zero punches on stage and this continues to prove true. No matter the album that Zakk has out, he is gonna deliver what the fans want but he is riding on Catacombs Of The Black Vatican and he shelled out Heart Of Darkness from that solid piece of metal. The other main stages had their massive moments as well on day one with Chevelle taking the prize for being the stand out for the alt set. I have followed their career but this was my first time seeing them live and they sold me on what they do on stage. Some bands are better live and that’s the case with Chevelle. Their new album, La Gargola, is a major musical statement but the real feeling of the album is on the stage. Nothing More got their just deserts with a healthy reception from the crowd and for a band on the main stage with only one album in the last five years that’s amazing. They are out doing arenas right now opening for 5FDP and Volbeat and should be recognized so go out and pick up their new S/T record and make them happen again. The first day closed out with an amazing set from garage rockers Weezer and they def took their fans back to the shack with their monster set list that had the fans screaming late into the Sacramento night.
The second day opened loudly with Sacramento’s own powerhouse FallRise on the Coors Light Stage and the party was back on. Sunday was the day for metal heads as the metal was spread out to all stages and it was nonstop till the last note. The metal came loudly as Escape The Fate opened Stage West and with Ungrateful being one of their best outings, ETF had a lot to say.. Om Stage North, Otherwise was getting cranked up for their second Aftershock appearance and they had the fans groveling at their feet. Their super catchy brand of hard rock is easy to get to and having just dropped Peace At All Costs to go along with the brilliant True Love Never Dies, they had plenty to deliver to their supporters. Following Otherwise on Stage North was the return of metalcore legends Atreyu. It was as if they never left the scene at all as the screams that greeted them were deafening to say the least. I want to see how far they go with their reunion and the possible album they should deliver. On Stage South, down tuned legends KYNG took the stage and owned their set. Taking their darkest dirges and amping them up for the Sac crowd worked and the grounds became a feeding ground of rabid animals. If you have yet to check out Burn The Serum, you are truly missing out. Sunday, as it was announced, was a sell out and it was noticeably more crowded with sweaty metal heads. That being said it was hotter than hell but who cares when you have the slate of bands that Aftershock had. The grounds were dusty from it being trampled so it was basically a dust storm all day but it was adapted to by the addition of bandannas and the will to not care. The food again was great, Crazy Dave’s had great artist signings all day as well as the best instruments in their booth and Monster was back giving away free energy drinks and the highlight of the day there was John 5 from Rob Zombie’s band holding court doing a signing. The Coors Stage was burning it up with sets from New Medicine who are back after four years with the smoking album Breaking the model as well as Unlocking The Truth making a stunning Sacramento debut. These kids are going to go far, just remember that name. Lacuna Coil closed out the Coors Stage and honestly they belonged on the main stage but they owned the headliner status for this stage and they blew the crowd away. Back on the other side of the park Black Stone Cherry took their southern branded hard rock and kicked the Sac crowd with it. This band is nonstop energy and Ben Wells never stopped running around while slinging his mighty ax… They are four albums into their massive career and Magic Mountain has them at full stride. Of Mice & Men was one of the main bands I was looking forward to and they did not disappoint. They are one of the biggest bands right now with a solid legion of fans that have bought their new album Restoring Force in droves. Their metalcore runs deeper than most and their message to their fans is awe inspiring. Buckcherry was at Aftershock again and they never let anybody down. Taking their pages from 80’s hard rock and bringing it further into the 2000’s Buckcherry style always gets them attention and never a disappointed fan, ever. One of the few disappointments was Seether. I have never witnessed their live show and hopefully I won’t have to again. For a major band with massive record sales they sure looked bored and uninspired. It may be me but if I was touring, selling records and playing to thousands of people I would try to look happier, just saying. On the opposite spectrum of that was Rise Against, who looked overjoyed to be on stage in front of 19000 people. They are one of my fav bands and The Black Market is one of the best records released this year. They did not let go of the fans till the last note dropped, everybody was mesmerized. Five Finger Death Punch closed out Stage South and seemingly that’s who everybody was there to see. The crowd was deafening as they dealt their trailer park metalcore out on the throngs of devoted freaks. They may not be my fav band by far but I can appreciate how they engage their fans.. As far as I am concerned, Rob Zombie was the pivotal focal point of the night. His stage show, his banter with the crowd and above all his music is perfection personified. During the first few tracks he played a snippet of Sex Machine by James Brown and encouraged the females to get on the shoulders of others and when security tried to stop them he chastised them and demanded that the fans do what they wanted. Rob got what he wanted. A true showman that wants the fans to feel like they are part of the show and that he did. Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor is what he is touring behind and it is full of filthy Zombie classics and truly deserves your attention. So this in my opinion topped last year and I can only see in the future the festival getting bigger but how they can top this year is beyond me.
Official Aftershock Festival Site
