Crushing Metal Lineup Shares the Stage

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All Photos by CrpnDeth and Lisa Legz Photography

Heavy metal Sunday came moshing in to Arizona this past weekend as AZNovemberfest 2015 kicked off day two at Eagle Rider’s Motorcycles, the “world's largest motorcycle tourism company” (day one included PUDDLE OF MUDD, FUEL, SEBASTIAN BACH and DAUGHTRY).

Early crowd punishing came from RIOT/GEAR and INCITE. Both bands played to an increasingly growing crowd for the first couple hours, getting everyone in shape for the legendary SACRED REICH. The crowd exploded when Wiley Arnett, Phil Rind, Greg Hall and Jason Rainey walked out on stage. The crowd was so deafening that Phil and Wiley stopped for a second and just smiled before launching in to a typically brutal SR set. "Independent", "Love Hate", "Ignorance", "Crimes Against Humanity" and "The American Way" came full force at the crowd, along with "War Pigs" (BLACK SABBATH cover) and "Surf Nicaragua". The crowd collapsed in to puddles of sweat, trying to maintain whatever energy they had left for the rest of the lineup.

The rest period was short lived as FLOTSAM AND JETSAM began delivering the most pummeling set of the night. Hitting the stage with a ferocious passion, the band never looked back. "No Place for Disgrace", "She Took an Axe", "Hammerhead", "Escape From Within", "Swatting At Flies" and "I Live, You Die" displayed the intensity you want from a metal performance. The band was simply flawless, and Eric 'A.K.' Knutson’s voice was unparalleled tonight, with strength and melody showing the newer bands how it’s done. Steve Conley and Michael Gilbert were fluid when switching guitar solos and generally crushing the crowd.

Eric A.K. wasn’t the only one expressing his excitement for the next band, SOULFLY. As the crowd began their chant, SOULFLY hit the stage with "We Sold Our Souls", and quickly followed up with "Archangel", "Ishtar Rising", "Blood Fire War Hate", "Refuse/Resist", "Sodomites", "Prophecy" and "Seek ‘N Strike". As the crowd tried to catch its breath and pick themselves up off the concrete (which served as mosh central) the band continued with "Arise"/"Dead Embryonic Cells", "Tribe", "Roots Bloody Roots", "Attitude", "Ace Of Spades" (MOTORHEAD cover) and "Jumpdafuckup"/"Eye For An Eye".

At this point of the night, after the onslaught of metal riffs, the crowd was done. Arizona’s heavyweights proved once again the desert can be an unmerciful place.

Check out a few photos from the show!
All Photos By CrpnDeth And Lisa Legz Photography