We were so excited to make it back to North Carolina for this year’s Carolina Rebellion. One thing I love so much about this festival is every year they seem to out do themselves, every year they come back bigger and louder than the last. This year was no exception, bringing on heavy hitting headliners like, Kid Rock, Rob Zombie and Avenged Sevenfold they managed to hit record breaking numbers of 60,000 plus tickets sold. I had the pleasure of meeting so many fans from all over the states who come out to support such an incredible rock N roll festival.
Day 1
Kicking off the festivities on the second stage was Trivium. I love seeing these guys on any show bill I am attending, Matt Heafy immediately grabbed everyone’s attention and got them hyped for the rest of the day. Bassist, Paolo Gregoletto and guitarist, Corey Beaulieu were all over the stage, on the speakers and in your face. Not to mention the bellowing bass and roaring vocals gave everyone a heavy does of metal first thing in the morning.
Next up was Adelitas Way. As soon as these guys came
onstage there was a noticeable change in line up. Guitarist Keith Wallen had left the band earlier in the year to pursuit other projects. None the less these guys came out and kicked ass. Rick DeJesus has such a commanding presence and powerful vocals, ever since the first time I saw them back in 2011 I go out of my way to catch their shows. Phenomenal stage presence and they always sound great live.
The next band I caught is a little newer to the scene but they’re no
strangers to the big stage, Devour the Day. I caught a couple of their shows in the past year and thought they were great live, I loved their energy it was infectious. I was excited to see a little more of them this summer at these huge festivals and while I am still unfamiliar with their music they made a lasting impression. Bassist, Joey Walser looks just like a wind up doll on stage, as soon as they jump into a song, off he goes, and he doesn’t stop jumping around the stage until they hit their last note.
Black Stone Cherry was the next band to hit the Rebellion stage, thefirst time I saw these guys was back in 2010, while they were just starting to find mainstream success and I really didn’t care much for them, but seeing them grow as a band and really get comfortable on stage I’ve grown to really enjoy their live shows. And this band features one of my favorite drummers, John Fred Young. Normally drummers have a tendency to get lost and sometimes forgotten about behind their large drum kits, John refuses to be forgotten about. He is constantly jumping up, head banging, everythingand anything to stay connected. Ben Wells is another member of this band who cannot just sit still. This guitarist is one of the hardest to photograph, he moves so much you’re lucky to get an in focus shot of him. I love the challenge and I love that he keeps the fans so engaged.
Next on the bill was heavy hitters, Black Label Society. These guys are incredible live, while they don’t quite jump around the stage they have such a powerful presence, you can feel every guitar riff, every bass line and every drum beat. Vocalist Zakk Wylde is a legend between his heavy guitar riffs and his roaring vocals he is hard to overlook, and it only translates better live then a recording ever will. I am so excited at every opportunity I get to check them out.
This next band is still relatively new to the scene but quicklymaking a name for themselves. Kyng is a three piece band from LA. While I’m normally skeptical of three piece bands and their ability to interact with the crowd and still sound like a full band, these guys really changed my perception. The had a very full sound and still managed to keep the crowd engaged.
The next band I am always happy tosee on any bill, Killswitch Engage. With frontman, Jesse Leach back on the roster, these guys are back with a whole new level of ferocity. They have a very bold stage show, guitarist, Adam Dutkiewicz is relentless. He has an endless about of energy and zero fucks given attitude. He has fun, he plays with his fans and they get a unique experience out of it.
After them,Anthrax was set to play on the main stage. I’ve never been a huge fan of their music, but I’ve seen them quite a few times and they have a fantastic stage show. Whether you are a fan or not it is easy to respect these guy’s musical talents. Scott Ian in and of himself is a legend with his roaring guitar riffs and his on stage acrobatics it’s hard not to get sucked into their show.
After them,Thousand Foot Krutch. I was somewhat surprised to see these guys on the bill, I haven’t heard too much form them in the past few years. As much as I like these guys and this band as a whole their live show just falls short for me. They are one of the bands that seems to get lostespecially in a festival setting.
Next up was Volbeat on the main stage. I love photographing this band, every member has a completely different stage persona. The most recent addition to the band and former Anthrax guitarist, Rob Caggiano always makes it a goal to connect with his fans and put out the most memorable show possible.
The next band up was Fozzy, this is a band Ialways look forward to seeing. Frontman, Chris Jericho as pretty much all of their fans are aware of he is a WWE wrestler and quite the performer. Coming out he had his signature light up jacket on and he was off. These guys are a blast, they are so theatrical and over the top, it was a phenomenal performance.
As the sun went down one of the last performers of the evening took the stage, Mr. Rob Zombie. I think Ihave seen Rob 5 times this year alone. I cannot get enough, from the theatrics to their energy to their charisma, these guys are great. Rob Zombie is incredible at getting the crowed hyped up and keeping them engaged throughout their set. Piggy D and John 5 both have such huge personalities it only adds to the show.
Last but not least to end the night was AvengedSevenfold. These guys had a huge year with the success of their latest album, “Hail to the King.” This is a band I have always loved to watch perform live, every time I see them I feel they they grow more and more as a band. “Hail to the King” was in a way a very progressive album for them, they took a step back for the screaming guitar riffs and more melodic vocals and moved towards a heavier sound. Their show is always over the top featuring massive stage props and tons of pyrotechnics. It was quite the spectacle and a great way to end an amazing first day.
Day 2
After an amazingly successful first day at Carolina Rebellion, we returned early Sunday for asecond day of Rock N Roll. Starting out the day with a bang is a band who is starting to make a huge name for themselves, Gemini Syndrome. This was my first time seeing them or even really hearing of them and I have to say, I was really impressed. Fronted by former Otep guitarist, Aaron Nordstrom, he does an amazing job of connecting with the crowd and making them feel like they are a part of something special. At one point during their set, he stopped to talk about his condition and the way it effected him throughout his life. When bands are able to open up and share these moments with their fans, it brings thefans closer, it lets them feel like in some way shape or form, they know something about that no one else knows.
Next band up was another up and coming band I was just hearing about, and just as impressed with, Nothing More. Frontman, Jonny Hawkins is absolutely incredible on stage, he is so passionate about their music. Throughout their set, they jumped on any and everything they could get their hands on. Towards the middle of their set they hooked a guitar up to a rig and all the members of the band played inunison around this guitar. This is definitely a band to look out for.
The next act of the day was a band I have been looking forward to seeing for a long time. Hellyeah is a supergroup that emerged back in 2006 most notably among the roster is Mudvayne vocalist, Chad Grey and Pantera drummer, Vinnie Paul. These guys have a very powerful presence on stage with an even more powerful sound. It is no secret these guys are very comfortable on stage and have the track record to back it up. They put on a great show, betterthan I could have expected.
The next band I had covered during the day was Fule. Now this is a name that I hadn’t heard for a long time, I was interested to see how they would preform but honestly, I was a little disappointed. They really didn’t seem like they were too excited about the show, they didn’t stand out to me. They didn’t sound too bad at all, but it looked like they were just going through the motions.
Up next was Theory of a Deadman. I have always liked seeing Theory of a Deadman live, my only complaintthough is they aren’t terrible interesting. They sounds great live its just they seem to blend in with all the other acts of the day.
The next band I covered wasAlter Bridge. I had just seen them a few days prior at a local venue in Baltimore and they put on a phenomenal show, so naturally I was excited I was going to see them again so soon. Myles Kennedy has one of the most uniquevoices in rock n roll and has a huge personality to back it up.
Next was Memphis May Fire. I have never really listened to their music but I have seen them a few times on various Warped Tours throughout the years. I love watching these guys, they have so much energy on stage and their fans love it.
The next band on the bill was Staind. This is another one of those bands, I love listening to them, I don’t actually like watching them. They sound great live, but they aren’t interesting at all. Aaron Lewis stands behind the mic with his eyes closed and from time to time he strums his guitar.
After them,311 took the main stage. Their set featured a variation of hits dating back to their debut album. These guys put on an incredible, high energy set. I cannot wait for my next opportunity to see the.
The next to last band upwas Five Finger Death Punch. I don’t think I can praise these guys enough, on stage they have a larger than life personality with roaring guitar riffs, growling vocals and a hell of a set up. In person, they are some of the nicest, most humbled guys I have ever met. If you ever have to opportunity to see them, take it, these guys kick ass.
Lastly to close out Carolina Rebellion 2014 is the all american cowboy himself, Kid Rock. Holyshit. This guy has been around for a long time that because so apparent to me as soon as he literally jumped into his set. This guy can perform. He played songs from every end of his discography, not a single person left that that show disappointed. Overall Carolina Rebellion was a huge success, with record breaking attendance numbers, i’m excited to see what next year has in store.
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