In This Moment have been spending the summer touring as the opening act on the Return of the Dreads Tour with Korn and Rob Zombie. While the set was only seven songs, ITM managed to spin hits and title tracks to create a high energy, psycho-sexual, shock rock, industrial-metal assault. I’ve seen ITM kick ass before but, after this set, it’s most likely going to be at least a month before I’m able to sit down again!
Rob Zombie and company are sharing headlining duties with Korn on this summer’s Return of the Dreads Tour. On this night, Zombie was the middle act sandwiched between headliners Korn and openers In This Moment. Zombie’s theatrics, musicianship, and showmanship were the perfect transition from an extremely high energy set from In This Moment. The set seamlessly wove classics and new material from his latest effort The “Electric Warlock Acid With Satanic Orgy Celebration Dispenser.” The resulting satanic carnival left headliners Korn in the unenviable position of having to follow Satan’s ringmaster. Did they deliver? We left after the second song. I guess I like my Korn with a “C.”
One word I never thought would be apportioned to the metal genre – adorable. Adorable is what adequately describes Babymetal. This teenage J-Pop trio is backed by some of the best hired guns in Japanese metal.Choreography and cuteness meet shredding and thrashing in a way that provides a wholesome metal experience for the entire family.
Amon Amarth brought their brand of norse-mythology-fueled metal to the House of Blues, in support of their latest full-length release Jomsviking. The stage was replete with a horned viking helmet and the show featured norse archers, and viking warriors. Stage trappings aside, Amon Amarth wove new material seamlessly in with the classics. The result was a dynamic, well-paced, sonic assault that showcased frontman Johan Hegg’s melodic growls, as well as the craftsmanship of guitarists Olavi Mikkonen and Johan Söderberg. The rhythm section of bassist Ted Lundström and newcomer Jocke Wallgren ,on drums, provided a solid foundation for set’s the emotional highs and lows. The takeaway, Amon Amarth has taken another step forward to greater accessibility, arena headlining status, and providing a place where the beer never ends. Horns up!
Stranded
Gojira headlined the second stage on the second day of the festival. Given the intensity and ferocity of their performance, they should have headlined the main stage. Gojira mixed older gems with cuts from their new album Magma. The standout of the set was their current single Stranded (https://poppedculturemedia.com/2016/07/22/gojira-live-chicago-open-air-festival-2016/), which worked an audience  of roughly 5000 to create mosh pits within mosh pits. Who would have thought that four guys from France could bring a testosterone fueled, chaotic, darkness to life and to the top of the Billboard album chart.
https://poppedculturemedia.com/2016/07/22/gojira-live-chicago-open-air-festival-2016/
In This Moment shows have become predictable, yet reliable and consistent. You know what you’re getting and still every time seems like your first time seeing them. Maria Brink is the consummate show woman and it’s hard to find a better guitar duo than Chris Howorth and Randy Weitzel. Noticeably absent were Tom Hane’s thunderous drums. The set covered the highlights of the band’s last two studio albums Blood and Black Widow. Each song takes on a life of its own with Maria and the Blood Girls aiding in the interpretation. Another solid performance from a band that should be headlining arenas in the not-to-distant future.
Rammstein has secured its place in the pantheon of rock deity, headlining a series of festivals across the globe. Rammstein’s appearance at the Chicago Open Air Festival marked the band’s only scheduled show in the U.S. Rammstein demonstrated the power of music and its ability to transcend cultural and language barriers. 99.9% of the concert was performed in German, but that didn’t stop the crowd from chanting along. The show would have been simply awe-inspiring with just the band playing alone. Add to the mix a seemingly unlimited production budget and the show becomes a phenomenon akin to one of the seven wonders of the world. Yes, it was that good. Words do not do justice in describing a Rammstein show. It has to be experienced to be believed.
Ramm 4 Live
https://poppedculturemedia.com/2016/07/22/rammstein-live-chicago-open-air-festival-2016/
Engel Live
The Butcher Babies were relegated to a morning side stage appearance, but that did not deter the band, or the thousands of fans, from making it an event. The Babies administered a half hour long sonic kick to the groin. The mosh pit was not for the faint of heart, as the band encouraged fans to circle pit and crowd surf, especially during Jesus Needs More Babies for His War Machine. The Butcher Babies demonstrated why their days as a side stage act are numbered and that main stage stardom is just around the corner. Â These guys are going to be big. Really big.
Feel The Metal 
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