Review: Slipknot in phoenix
Halloween came early as Slipknot jam packed a sold out show at the Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre in Phoenix as they delivered one hell of a treat of a performance on their 25th Anniversary: Here comes the Pain Tour! The crowd was scattered with costumes both related to the band and horror related; I saw a couple Micheal Myers and one Freddie Krueger to name a few. “Tonight, you will not hear a song written after 1999” said frontman Corey Taylor as he welcomed everyone back to 1999. Overall, the tour has been met with high praise for that specific focus on fan-favorite deep cuts all from their self titled debut album. Along with bringing back their classic jumpsuits and masks that had modern updates; which I’m a big fan of, was the cherry on top.
Opening the night were Knocked Loose and Vended. Vended, which includes the sons of Slipknot members Corey Taylor and Shawn “Clown” Crahan, who brought their own raw energy to the stage. They managed to get the crowd roaring and prepared for the night’s main events. I will say the lighting was the only lackluster point from their set, from a photographer's perspective that is. Of course certain rock, metal, etc bands these days want to be dark and moody which the dark lighting compliments but some nice colors and occasional white light doesn’t hurt that vibe. Knocked Loose followed with an absolute brutal set that combined their hardcore sound with the unique voice of their lead singer Bryan Garris. Speaking of that uniqueness, it definitely may be an acquired taste for some. Bryan’s voice has a high pitched distinction that just cuts straight through everything and just pierces your ear drums.
Slipknot took the stage at around 9:30 PM, opening with a powerhouse trio of songs that included "(sic)," "Eyeless," and "Wait and Bleed." From the very beginning, they had the Phoenix crowd in the palm of their hand. The sound was ferocious, heads were banging, and the venue was jumping. The setlist was specifically-crafted for true “maggots” (the name that refers to day one/true fans). Sorry to you newer fans out there. The crowd were treated to older hits like “Me Inside” and “Get This,” while also being offered deeper cuts like “Purity” and an encore finale song “Scissors,” that the band hadn’t performed live in since the year 2000. It was a gift to long-time fans, many of whom had been following Slipknot since their debut. Taylor delivered his vocals with a mix of rage and emotion; with vocal support from Micheal Shawn Crahan and Mike Pfaff engaging the crowd with his charismatic, eerie, and aggressive stage presence. His call to the crowd during “Spit It Out,” where he led the audience in the infamous “jump the f**k up” moment, was definitely a highlight of the night.
Despite the Arizona heat, fans moshed relentlessly, screamed lyrics at the top of their lungs, and threw themselves fully into the mayhem-like experience. Slipknot’s fans have always been known for their dedication, and the Phoenix shows have always been huge supporters. Whether it was the intensity of “(Sic)” or the explosive “Surfacing,” the energy was immensely felt, and it was clear that Slipknot's music still resonates deeply with both older fans and a new generation of metalheads.The band’s performance was polished but still carried the raw energy that characterized their early years.
Ultimately, the show was more than just a concert; it was a celebration of everything that the band has built over the last two and a half decades. From the thunderous music to the stunning visuals, Slipknot delivered a performance that honored their beginnings while proving that they are still one of the best and most loved metal bands today. Taylor had a special moment with the crowd early on thanking them for their support on a special night as not only it being the 25th anniversary of their debut, but it was also their 25th anniversary of performing at that exact venue for Ozzfest 99’. With performances this powerful, Slipknot shows no signs of rust, as I’m hoping they are looking to write a new chapter in the Slipknot legacy. They may be in their 40s and 50s but they definitely got one more run minimum from what I witnessed.
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