Sneaking up to Diesel Lounge, sly like
a weasel, to take in bands creating on a musical easel,
I braved the snow and the winds that
did blow to head up to the show with my bro.
Of course excited to see Drowning Pool,
as Ozzfest 2002 was old school, and touring together was cool
up until they found Dave dead when
Tommy went to wake him from bed, filling the tour with dread.
They were replaced by Tommy Lee, and
the future they could not foresee, except a feeling they told me
about in New Orleans. There would be
bad by some means. They could feel it in bones through jeans.
They said put it on record. It struck
a sour chord, but they were right; Dimebag was shot in his gourd.
They played with his band on that tour.
For death, there is no cure, but they felt it coming for sure.
They did foretell a death, feeling it
like the devil's breath. This isn't crazy talk like someone on meth.
Even after the demise, like a phoenix,
they did rise, but their sound they did revise with new eyes.
A new lead singer means new sound, not
throwing in the ringer, but holding ground like a gunslinger.
Other bands playing with them can
relate. It's like wiping clean the slate and setting the record
straight.
Audiotopsy has guys from Mudvayne.
Hellyeah felt the pain, but nobody is giving up their rein.
Greg Tribbett's new project is worthy
of much respect, not one that should be henpecked.
He left Dimebag's brother in Hellyeah
to form another rocking band that is like no other.
Stretching his musical wings, still
twanging the guitar strings, he simply wanted to try different
things.
Just like Max Green fronting Violent
New Breed. He is keen of the new melodic hardcore careen
that will knock listeners back,
slamming in an audio attack, pummeling them with riffs that smack.
He did Escape the Fate with a band that
was worth the wait. This is a band to reinvigorate.
Just like Dead in 5, another band worth
seeing live, as they are hard hitting, like a power drive.
It made me blush when I saw members of
60 Second Crush. I took them all in like a lush.
Former members had a new band. I fell
for them like quick sand, sucking me in by command.
As Dead in 5 played, I found that I was
not dismayed, as they cut into me like a sharp blade.
I cannot convey how I was pulled into
the band Cadre, as their beats made me want to stay.
They brought the biker crowd and were
enough to make other bands proud, and they played loud.
The homegrown band from Detroit was
more than a little adroit, and their sound did not exploit.
They headlined the smaller stage, along
with bands young in age who actually knew how to engage.
All is Faded may not be quite as jaded,
but they could rock the venue totally unaided.
Guitarist wore stars and striped pants.
They could inspire some chants. They're worth of a few rants.
3 Minutes to Oblivion was, too. They
were young but knew what to do. I'll drop one clue:
these guys will rise up in the scene,
as their playing is clean. Catch them when they next convene.
At the end of the night, Drowning Pool
closed the show with might, playing “Bodies” like a bullfight,
people crashing, arms and leg lashing
in a whirling mosh pit that is simply thrashing.
One last thing I must say, at the end
of the day, Jason can actually hit the melodies like a blue jay.
So far, he is the best fit vocally, I
must admit, even if he brings a punk rock style into it.
My challenge to him may sound strange,
but perhaps he should arrange to sing with all his range.
He has the ability, though he seems to
fight the docility, but I am pleased with his suitability.
Overall, the show was awesome, from the
strum of guitars to pounding drum, music to succumb
to many drinks. Don't sit around like
a sphinx. Check out all of these band links:
For more by Marisa:
