GIG REVIEW: SEVENDUST & TREMONTI Live at Rapids Theatre, Niagara Falls, NY

On a night that almost didn’t happen, due to a power outage, Sevendust brought their headlining tour to the Rapids Theatre in Niagara Falls, NY.  Power was restored after a two and a half hour wait, to the delight of everyone being forced to wait outside in the cold.  Opening the show for Sevendust and Tremonti were Kirra, Lullwater, and Cane Hill, although we didn’t get to see much of them, unfortunately, due to time restraints and shortened set times after the power was restored.  They were able to play two songs each, before being rushed off for the next tear down and set up.  I’m hoping to see more of them and what they have to offer at a future show.

I was quite looking forward to seeing Tremonti perform for the first time, after seeing Mark Tremonti several times in the past with Alter Bridge.  Touring in support of their recent release ‘A Dying Machine’, Tremonti offers a no-frills set of straight up rock n roll, filled with some great guitar skills and clean vocals.  While his duties with Alter Bridge include guitar as well as back up vocals and harmonies,  Mark took center stage as a frontman with ease.  Unfortunately, Tremonti had a reduced set as well, due to the power issues,  but powered through an energetic set including “You Waste Your Time”, “Flying Monkeys”, “A Dying Machine”, and “Wish You Well”. I will be sure to watch out for them again, to fully enjoy a complete show, as 6 songs weren’t nearly enough.

After a rushed and somewhat incomplete start to the evening, it was time.  Sevendust had arrived!!  These rockers out of Atlanta are no strangers to the metal scene, as they are now celebrating the 20 year anniversary of their second album, ‘Home’.   Morgan Rose took his spot behind the drums as bandmates Clint Lowery (guitar), John Connolly (guitar), Vinnie Hornsby (bass), and Lajon Witherspoon (vocals) spread out over the fog-filled stage.  Opening with an old favorite, “Black”,  Sevendust always delivers hard and fast, with an aggressive in-your-face attack, although all members do it with a smile on their face while posing and hamming it up for the crowd.  It is obvious that they all thoroughly enjoy playing together, and are always very appreciative of the crowd that enables them to be able to do so.

The Rapids crowd was in a frenzy, as Sevendust served up plenty of past hits including “Praise”, “Bitch”, and “Enemy”, as well as “Dirty” off of 2018’s album release ‘All I See Is War’.  A favorite for me is “Angel’s Son”, as Lajon is almost always emotional during this one.  On many occasions, I’ve seen tears in his eyes as well as goosebumps as he’s singing the song.  One of the best frontmen in the business for sure, as well as being one of the most genuine and humble.  Closing out the night with “Face to Face”, as the crowd enthusiastically sang along and went insane, brought this terrific night of hard rock to an end.  If Sevendust and friends are making a stop near you, be sure to go and enjoy the show!