Russell Allen’s voice was as good as ever. He has to have one of the most melodic, yet very metal-sounding and recognizable voices in the genre today. Besides THE CHARLIE DANIELS BAND cover, the BLACK SABBATH medley was another highlight of their set. I was a little disappointed that they didn’t bust out their rendition of the BADLANDS song “Highwire” and due to time constraints “Undaunted” had to be axed. With that all being said, under the circumstances, it was amazing that they were even there in the first place. They had set a tour date in Akron last summer that ultimately ended up canceled because of their bus getting into a wreck. Subsequently, the rescheduled date was also canceled (assumingly due to the departure of bassist John Moyer). So it was third time’s a charm for an Ohio date with ADRENALINE MOB and although they had endured an emotional avalanche within the last week, it was fantastic and definitely worth the wait.

Setlist:

• “Mob Is Back”
• “Let it Go”
• “Dearly Departed” (Dedicated to AJ Pero)
• “Get You Through”
• “Devil Went Down to Georgia” (THE CHARLIE DANIELS BAND Cover)
• “Hit the Wall”
• “Judgement Day”
• Sabbath Medley
• “Mob Rules”

It was nearing midnight as DROWNING POOL took the stage to “Step Up”. Guitarist CJ Pierce, who had been hanging out, selling merch and mingling all night, took his place at stage-left. Vocalist Jasen Moreno was the last to make it to the stage. It was just pure, lights-out energy from the go. In full-disclosure, there were some house sound issues with feedback and I was hearing most of the set through the monitors since I was pinned to the barricade, so I really did get the full effect of the show. This was the “Unlucky 13 Tour” – marking roughly thirteen years since the release of their platinum selling album Sinner. The entire album was in the set, including other hits from more recent releases.

Without much hesitation between songs, DROWNING POOL kept slinging good ol’ heavy metal well into the next morning. I cannot emphasize enough how much passion and energy they had on stage. Vocalist Jasen Moreno screamed his heart out. Bassist Stevie Benton never stopped moving and drummer Mike Luce kept the pace despite having his throne malfunction, tossing him off of the back of the riser and into the wall behind him. Like true road warriors of the stage, they finished the song in time for Stevie to crack up laughing afterwards. This was my first live experience with DROWNING POOL, although I had purchased “Sinner” soon after its release while I was in high school. I still can’t shake how nostalgic it felt to hear that album in its entirety.

It was a great night of metal and brotherhood. Every band has challenges on the road, but few can compare to what ADRENALINE MOB has endured these last few days. It was great to see my extended metal family pick one-another up and support each other.

Setlist:

• “Step Up”
• “Think”
• “Feel Like I Do”
• “One Finger and a Fist”
• “Sermon”
• “Reminded”
• “Mute”
• “Soul”
• “Pity”
• “Tear Away”
• “I Am”
• “Sinner”
• “Follow”
• “Hate”
• “Told You So”
• “Bodies”