“Ashes On Leviathan Tour”

Lamb Of God’s Randy Blythe’s performance is absolutely unmatched.

Red Hat Amphitheater in Raleigh, NC was the backdrop for a seismic showdown of heavy metal titans. The evening kicked off with the blistering energy of Malevolence, hailing from Sheffield, England. These hardcore bruisers, spearheaded by frontman Alex Taylor, set the tone with a ferocity that ripped through the sweltering air. With Konan Hall and Josh Baines on guitars, Wilkie Robinson on bass, and Charlie Thorpe on drums, Malevolence delivered a set that felt like a seismic punch to the gut. Their latest release, “Malicious Intent,” saw the band reaching new heights of brutality, a testament to their relentless drive since their formation. Visit them at malevolenceband.com.

Following that savage opener, the stage was graced by Kerry King, the iconic guitarist and founding member of Slayer, who brought his solo project to life with a vengeance. King’s new ensemble, featuring Paul Bostaph on drums, Gary Holt on guitar, Phil Demmel on bass, and Jamey Jasta on vocals, was nothing short of a metal supergroup. These legends tore through tracks from King’s freshly minted solo album, “Reign of Darkness,” a dark opus that channels the ferocity of his Slayer days. The audience was treated to a relentless barrage of riffs that seemed to summon the spirits of metal’s past. Check out more on his latest exploits at kerrykingofficial.com.

As the night deepened, Mastodon took the stage, hailing from Atlanta, Georgia. Their progressive metal soundscapes washed over the crowd like a sonic tidal wave. The band, composed of Troy Sanders (bass, vocals), Brent Hinds (guitar, vocals), Bill Kelliher (guitar), and Brann Dailor (drums, vocals), unleashed a setlist that showcased their latest masterpiece, “Hushed and Grim.” This album, a labyrinth of complex melodies and profound themes, echoed through the amphitheater, enveloping the audience in a maelstrom of emotion and technical prowess. Each member’s previous forays into bands like Social Infestation and Lethargy only added to their formidable presence. More about their cosmic journey can be found at mastodonrocks.com.

The night’s crescendo arrived with the thunderous entrance of Lamb of God, the pride of Richmond, Virginia. Randy Blythe’s guttural roars, Mark Morton and Willie Adler’s twin-guitar assault, John Campbell’s pounding bass, and Art Cruz’s explosive drumming culminated in a metal maelstrom that shook the very foundations of Red Hat Amphitheater. Touring in support of their latest album, “Omens,” Lamb of God unleashed a fury of new tracks and fan favorites, each one a testament to their unyielding evolution from their Burn the Priest origins. As if the sonic assault wasn’t enough, the band’s pyrotechnic display turned the stage into a blazing inferno, with jets of fire and explosive bursts synchronized perfectly to the pummeling rhythms. The searing heat and dazzling lights only intensified the raw power of their performance, making it a night to remember. For more about their relentless journey, visit lamb-of-god.com.

Lamb Of God

Mastodon

Kerry King

Malevolence