Concert Review: Godsmack at Uproar Festival in Atlanta
A random Wednesday in September seems like a peculiar choice for hosting a day-long festival event. The kids are busy learning how to become productive members of society, and the grownups are forced into the responsibilities of showing up to work. But nothing could be more welcoming than a fall afternoon in Atlanta. Yes, fall isn’t technically here for another week, but a month ago you would be hooking up an IV to your arm in a futile attempt to keep yourself hydrated under the mid-day sun. Unfortunately, we know about this first hand (Mayhem & Warped). For those who found a way to duck out on their commitments, the Uproar Festival at Lakewood was quite the place to be. We ran down a few of the details in our Staind concert review earlier this afternoon, so I’ll save you the complete rehash and jump right into Godsmack.
As Staind left the crowd dewy eyed with their closing lullaby, it was time for Godsmack to violently wake everyone up. During the 30 minutes between sets there was a certain secrecy to the changeover. A veiled curtain was dropped from the rafters as the boys of Staind marched off the stage and a host of roadies milled about putting the special touches in place for the onslaught of Godsmack. The band first introduced themselves to the crowd through a series of backstage concert snippets flashing across the large video boards synched up to AC/DC’s “For Those About to Rock (We Salute You).” Maybe it was a way to pull back the curtain on the hallowed halls of ‘All Access’ or perhaps it was just a taste of what was to come. Regardless, the crowd was certain of one thing: that damn curtain had to come down.
It finally did come down, and the full band was waiting to unleash the drums and racing guitars on “The Enemy.” The first thing that stood out was the intensity of front-man Sully Erna. He screamed into the mic with his neck veins throbbing as his fingers ripped into his guitar, residing just one note away from losing his feeble grip on his voice. I’m constantly amazed how these metal singers can stretch and bend their vocal chords to their absolute limits, grab some sleep and wake up to do it all again once the sun goes down.
Godsmack’s most recent album was released in May, and it is a live recording of a set they played at Detroit’s Fox Theatre way back in 2007. From a quick glance at the setlist, they leaned heavily on this material, tapping into their generous vault of hits.
The band didn’t rely on stage pyrotechnics like Shinedown. Instead, the band members seemed to play musical microphones as they rotated their way around the stage so fans at every corner of the venue could get a closeup of their favorite member. Even drummer Shannon Larkin eventually got the feature treatment. The drum kit surprisingly jettisoned to the front of the stage for “Batalla de los Tambores.” A duel kit rolled in from stage left as singer Sully Erna mounted the stool for a good ol’ percussion smack down. The platforms swiveled to face one another and the fun began as each drum man wailed away on the sticks. Granted they went on a bit too long, as drum solos are apt to do, but it was a very cool effect. It kind of makes you wonder why they hide away the drummer in the recesses of the stage like a second class citizen.
Erna provoked a little audience participation on “Whatever.” He told the masses to chant “Go away,” and promised he would go down to Tampa the following evening and pass along what pussies they were for not bringing the noise like Atlanta did. So Tampa rockers, did Godsmack tell you how Atlanta shamed you?
In all, it was a rockin’ show by a band who isn’t afraid to unleash the fury and tap into their darker side. They gave the fans the hits they came to hear with an unbridled energy and enthusiasm. I’d say they even out-played headliners Shinedown, which is a pretty tall order. It was a great day of rock music at Aaron’s Amphitheatre. Definitely keep this festival in mind if you missed your shot this year.
Godsmack Uproar Festival Atlanta Setlist : September 12, 2012
The Enemy
Keep Away
Cryin’ Like a Bitch
Straight Out of Line
Awake
Re-Align
Speak
Voodoo
Batalla de los Tambores
Whatever
I Stand Alone
