Written and Photographed by Robin Ervolina
The Killthrax Tour starring Anthrax and Killswitch Engage rolled through Orlando, Florida on April 13th and slammed into the House of Blues. Supporting the co-headliners were Code Orange and The Devil Wears Prada. Due to some technical issues at the nearly sold out venue, we missed Code Orange. However, while various media outlets waited on credentials, we stopped to listen to the music filtering outside the doors and into the courtyard. The eclectic nature of this lineup was the perfect setting for this power punk outfit bringing the heavy to mouse land. Damn shame we missed you, Code Orange, but rest assured, we're going to check you out as soon as we can.
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Photo by Scott Langevin[/caption]Midway through The Devil Wears Prada's second song, the press passes were sorted. I hauled ass into the photo pit just in time to catch the last song. The best part of this set was stepping back to experience TDWP live for the first time. The urgency in their performance made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. I felt every pulsating rhythm in my gut. Each riff was disorienting. Each scream grounded me. This total visceral experience quickly engulfed the classic rock fans waiting on Anthrax.
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Anthrax took the third time slot (co-headliners alternating each night throughout the tour). As a photographer, legends in my lens make me shake all over, but you have to settle your nerves so you can really appreciate what an honor it is to just be in the presence of one of the greatest thrash metal bands in history. I love watching Anthrax because they celebrate their music along with their fans. They have the pedigree of rock royalty and the appreciation and enthusiasm of a new band trying to pay their dues. Crowd surfers went up almost immediately, and the more the audience came unglued, the more fire emerged from Anthrax's eyes, sticks, and picks. Gentlemen, it was truly a gift to be in your presence.
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Closers Killswitch Engage exploded onto the stage, but shortly thereafter, singer Jesse Leach choosing the barrier over the spotlight. Leaning over into the crowd, he sang and hugged and communed with KsE fans. Funny, engaging, far-from politically or socially correct, Killswitch left me exhausted. I sat in the back after my shoot and had to pick my jaw up off the ground multiple times. Just when I thought I was settling into the madness, Anthrax's Joey Belladonna charged the stage and performed with KsE. There are no words. Even the non-stop circle pit froze. How do you react when you can't believe your eyes and ears? In Orlando we we fall silent, then erupt in a deafening roar. The pit pushed toward the rail, bodies flew into the air, sailing valiantly toward the stage. Security greeted each metal pilot with open arms, resting them safely on the ground to return back home to the pit.
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The humility of these gods of rock left me shaken, not stirred. You want to get your ass to a Killthrax show, so the rest of the tour goes like this:
4/25 – Seattle, Wash. @ Showbox SoDo*
4/26 – Portland, Ore. @ Roseland Theatre**
4/28 – Denver, Colo. @ The Fillmore**
4/29 – Omaha, Neb. @ Sokol Auditorium and Underground**
4/30 – Kansas City, Mo. @ The Midland*
5/01 – St. Louis, Mo. @ The Pageant**
5/03 – Toronto, Ontario @ The Danforth Music Hall**
5/05 – Huntington, N.Y. @ The Paramount**
5/06 – Clifton Park, N.Y. @ Upstate Concert Hall*
5/07 – Boston, Mass. @ House of Blues*
*Killswitch Engage closes
**Anthrax closes
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