Words/Photos: Chris Rugowski
https://www.chickenortheeggphotography.com/
When I first heard about this tour happening my immediate gut reaction was I have to get there. Having not been able to witness Wayne when he was alive, my second thought was, and not knowing Edsel was doing it at the time, “Who is going to fill in for Wayne? He’s a voice and a talent that can’t be replaced…”
Needless to say, this tour is full of four badass bands all of whom know how to rip a room apart.
For a Sunday night, the show was almost sold out from what I was told, and from the looks of it in the pit, it certainly came across that way.
STATIC-X
When Edsel Dope donned the Xero mask and started singing I was instantly brought to their attention. Edsel was spot on for this part, from the voice to the playing to the mannerisms. I was digging the whole set with the “ghost” of Wayne. I appreciated that the band all treated it like Wayne was there in a sense. There were no if’s and’s or butt standing still during this portion. Everyone in the crowd was moving. Kicking off the set with “Permanence” Xero stood atop the pedestal. Going right into one of my favorite tunes, “This is Not”. Everything about this set for me was on point. I enjoyed it, and the homage to Wayne near the end of the set was heartfelt, you could feel that. Ending the night with “Push It” was the perfect way to keep that energy flowing too.
FEAR FACTORY
In full admission, I’ve never really been a massive Fear Factory listener. The current lineup of the band is a good one. The screaming was on point. Their set seemed to be a greatest hits kind of playlist, playing songs such as “Demanufacture” from their second album released in 1995, “Zero Signal” from the Mortal Kombat soundtrack, and “Archetype”. The only one they didn’t play was “Linchpin”, but frankly I don’t follow Fear Factory enough to know if they even play it in their current lineup. They were extremely heavy, and their set was totally enjoyable.
DOPE
Playing a shorter set than their setlist said, it made sense when I figured out Edsel was the Xero character. This was one band I’ve looked forward to seeing ever since hearing them way back in 1999. They did not disappoint. It sounded just like the albums, and like time hadn’t passed, they were just as heavy live, if not heavier than what is found on their album. Time has treated their music well. It’s still moshable, danceable, and head-bobble.
CULTUS BLACK
Opening up for the night I had no idea who this band was, I intentionally didn’t research them so I had no expectations. To say the least, this band from North Carolina took me by surprise. While all the other acts were great, this act kept me entranced. And I wanted more of them.
According to their website, Cultus Black is “An aggressive hard-hitting music project that identifies itself as a cult. Their music is unapologetic and intense, yet it is often marked with mesmerizing melodies that could draw in even the most cynical listener.”
Their music drew me in, their stage appearance drew me in, and it all drew me in. If you’ve seen this act on this tour then you know, their description is spot on. Stalking from side to side the frontman gives the crowd a show of his own while the band members, “cult members” follow suit.
If you have a chance to see this tour before it ends, SEE IT! If you’ve seen it, I would venture to expect more.
“Rise Of The Machine” North American tour 2023
Feb. 25 – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore
Feb. 27 – Portland, OR – Roseland
Feb. 28 – Seattle, WA – Showbox
Mar. 01 – Vancouver, BC – Rickshaw Theater
Mar. 02 – Spokane, WA – Knitting Factory
Mar. 03 – Boise, ID – Revolution Concert Hall
Mar. 04 – Reno, NV – Virginia Street Brewhouse
Mar. 05 – Sacramento, CA – Ace Of Spades
Mar. 07 – Phoenix, AZ – Van Buren
Mar. 08 – Albuquerque, NM – El Rey Theater
Mar. 09 – Oklahoma City, OK – Diamond Ballroom
Mar. 10 – Dallas, TX – House of Blues
Mar. 11 – San Antonio, TX – The Aztec Theater
Mar. 12 – Houston, TX – House Of Blues
Mar. 14 – Atlanta, GA – Buckhead Theater
Mar. 15 – Orlando, FL – Plaza Live
Mar. 16 – Charlotte, NC – Underground
Mar. 17 – Baltimore, MD – Soundstage
Mar. 18 – Philadelphia, PA – T.L.A.
Mar. 19 – New York, NY – Irving Plaza
Mar. 21 – Boston, MA – Big Night Live
Mar. 22 – New Haven, CT – Toad’s
Mar. 23 – Montreal, QC – Corona
Mar. 24 – Toronto, ON – Phoenix
Mar. 25 – Detroit, MI – St. Andrews Hall
Mar. 26 – Cleveland, OH – House Of Blues
Mar. 28 – Pittsburgh, PA – Roxian
Mar. 29 – Cincinnati, OH – Bogarts
Mar. 30 – Columbus, OH – The King of Clubs
Mar. 31 – Ft. Wayne, IN – The Clyde
Apr. 01 – Milwaukee, WI – The Rave
Apr. 02 – Green Bay, WI – Epic Event Center
Apr. 04 – Grand Rapids, MI – Intersection
Apr. 05 – St. Louis, MO – Del Mar. Hall
Apr. 06 – Indianapolis, IN – The Vogue
Apr. 07 – Chicago, IL – House Of Blues
Apr. 08 – Minneapolis, MN – The Fillmore
Apr. 09 – Lincoln, NE – Bourbon Theater#
Apr. 11 – Denver, CO – The Summit
Apr. 13 – Las Vegas, NH – House Of Blues
Apr. 14 – San Diego, CA – House Of Blues
Apr. 15 – Los Angeles, Ca – Belasco Theater
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