SEVENDUST AT THEATRE OF LIVING ARTS IN PHILADELPHIA
Years back, it would be a dream to have a band play an album in its entirety. As of late, that has become a reality. The 20th Anniversary Tour for Sevendust’s second album Animosity was originally set to take off a year back, but due to the pandemic it turned into the 21st Anniversary Tour for Animosity, and it was well worth the wait.
With this being one of my favorite Sevendust albums, I was already amped for the show. Now, add the tour’s supporting bands, and this tour was destined to shine. DEEPFALL was up first, and they clearly knew how to get the crowd going. A very serious look to these guys as they took the stage, but all within their realms of what they love to do - a straight mix of alternative, hard rock, and metal. They just released their self-titled 2022 EP with 5 hard hitting new songs. Terry DeWit (vocals) comes in as their newest vocalist and he is helping make noise in the music scene and while on stage. “Revolution” is one of those new songs, and what a song it is! With a simple, yet strong verse and super catchy pre-chorus into chorus, it is no wonder why DEEPFALL is catching the attention of so many.
Next up was a band I have been waiting to see since they hit the scene just a few years back. PLUSH is an all-female rocking band made up of 4 extremely talented and high energy girls. Brooke Colucci (drums), Bella Perron (lead guitar and backing vox), Moriah Formica (vocals and guitar), and Ashley Suppa (bass) are some young teens living their dream of rocking out on stages all over the country! Playing with some of the biggest bands out there today, these girls have proven themselves to be worth every second they are on stage. Moriah’s power vocal range will have you hooked within the first few words she sings. Ashley is one of the most energetic bass players I have ever photographed live! Bella is a super bad ass with swift fingers and amazing backing vocals. Brooke (also known as ROCKANGEL and for her amazing drum covers of tons of songs on her social media accounts) is by far one amazing and powerful drummer with her own very unique style and awesome hair flips while rocking out! Their music is one of its own, and has caught the ears of so many. There is no doubt that PLUSH is what will help rock stay alive and continue to grow with the years to come.
All Good Things were up next, and the name is exactly what we got - a band that literally every member was smiling and giving their full 100% for themselves and the crowd. The energy from stage left to right and front to back, these guys, and girl, are literally nonstop rocking. “For The Glory”, “Comeback”, “Push Me Down” – these songs give me a feeling like I am a part of a big movement and rocking out to our anthem. The backing vocals truly add such power as the songs change from verse to chorus and so on. Dan Murphy (lead vocals) surely can handle his own while on the mic as his inner rage comes out with such a power punch to your ears. Add Liz Hooper, Miles Franco, and Tim Spier with their backing harmonies and vocals, and these songs will literally be playing over and over in your head for days to come. All Good Things are one of those bands that no matter what song you are listening to (whether live or from one of their albums), it just sucks you in wanting more and giving you such energy. Whether that more is with their music or more with your life, this is a band that will keep you fighting with every single amount of will and power you have within you, while rocking out to one of their anthems!
As many know, if you are a true Sevendust fan, you’re not attending a show. It is a family reunion, and the boys know exactly how to make you feel at home. Hearing some of these songs that have never been played live before, truly was a special moment. If you aren’t a longtime fan of the band, maybe it was your first time hearing and seeing them live, or maybe it was the first time learning who Sevendust even is, LJ and the boys are guaranteed to show you one hell of a time! Seeing the album cover for Animosity as their back drop and Morgan’s kick drum front skin brought you back in time. Hearing “T.O.A.B.”, “Live Again”, “Trust”, and of course “Angel’s Son”, truly made you feel like you were back in time and reliving some of your best memories. That is what the boys can do. Their energy and appreciation for their fans goes above and beyond. LJ took a moment to speak to the crowd right before “Angel’s Son” was to be played. The message he was delivering to everyone at this family reunion was to basically stop with all the hate and violence, and just live again. He then said something that truly hit me in the heart. He gave his condolences to everyone there that had recently lost someone due to the horrible virus that brought on this recent pandemic. I unfortunately am one of those in attendance that lost someone closer to my heart than words could ever describe. This alone just proves the love that LJ and the boys have for their loyal fans, old and new. The show closed out with them coming back on for an encore. “Blood From A Stone” and, of course, “FACE to FACE” were the choice for Philly’s show close out, and it could not have ended a better way.