Welcome to the LOUDEST DOT COM ON THE PLANET!
KNAC.COM News Reviews and More Watch The Latest Videos Buy KNAC T-shirts and More


ICE NINE KILLS, IN THIS MOMENT, AVATAR, TX2 In Idaho Falls, ID With Photos!

By Breezy Bird, Idaho Contributor
Monday, September 2, 2024 @ 8:45 AM


Part 2 Of The Kiss Of Death Tour Makes A Stop At Hero Arena August 27th

- advertisement -
All Photos By Breezy Bird Photography

Idaho Falls had no idea what was in store on what seemed like an ordinary Tuesday night. The evening was serene, with a perfect fall breeze, until a dark cloud appeared on the horizon. It was the harbinger of Part 2 of the Kiss of Death Tour, ready to bring its unique brand of chaotic entertainment to our quiet town. Even radio legend Lou Brutus was on hand for the spectacle! This show was destined to be unlike anything the community had ever witnessed.

Fans dressed in their most elaborate Halloween-inspired attire flocked to the Hero Arena at the Mountain America Center on August 27, 2024, eager to experience the theatrical spectacle of TX2, AVATAR, IN THIS MOMENT, and ICE NINE KILLS. Just like at any carnival, it was time to sit back, hold on tight, and brace yourself-the ride was about to begin!

Unfortunately, for some reason I was tasked with photographing this show from the chaos of the mosh pit. This was an exceptionally challenging task considering my vertical challenges (I'm short). I spent as much time making sure my camera equipment was safe from flying beer and bodies as I did actually taking pictures of the performances. Since I'm not one to cower to challenges, I cautiously persisted. TX2 kicked off the night with their intense blend of punk, emo, grunge, and rap. The band, fronted by Evan Thomas-who also goes by the stage name TX2-has amassed a devoted following, largely through TikTok and collaborations with artists like G-EAZY and KAMAIYAH. Before the show, I wasn't familiar with them, so I decided to check out a few of their videos. The only word that came to mind was "disturbing".

On stage, TX2 sported black and white face paint, eerily reminiscent of Brandon Lee's iconic look from The Crow. The rest of the band consisted of guitarist and backup vocalist Cam Rostami, drummer Sam Palombo, and bassist Corkey Lee. The band was electric and gave it their all. While I wasn't familiar with their music, the crowd was clearly engaged throughout the seven-song set.

Setlist:

  • "Vampire By Rumor"
  • "Degrade Me"
  • "Vendetta"
  • "Burn"
  • "Swing At Me"
  • "Black Wedding"
  • "I Would Hate Me Too"
  • "Mad"
Next up, Swedish heavy metal band AVATAR took the stage, bringing their signature theatrical flair to the performance. Known as the self-proclaimed "Great Metal Circus", they never fail to deliver a high-energy show that completely engrosses the audience. The set began with a large gift box being transported onto the stage by a rather plump, masked man dressed in a black kilt. This set the tone for the unusual and captivating spectacle to come.

As with every AVATAR show I've seen, the performance was full of surprises designed to shock and amaze your senses. Frontman Johannes Eckerstrom, ever the showman, made a dramatic entrance by popping out of the box holding a single red balloon, reminiscent of a disturbing, mid-century Jack-in-the-box clown. His presence was immediately commanding, as he stood before the mesmerized audience, exuding the charisma of a ringmaster conducting a metal circus.

The rest of the band soon joined in, adding to the intensity of the performance. Guitarists Tim Ohrstrom and Jonas "Kungen" Jarlsby, bassist Henrik Sandelin, and drummer John Alfredsson seamlessly fell into their roles, each contributing to the overwhelming energy that filled the venue. Together, they created an unforgettable experience that was equal parts theatrical and musically powerful, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

Eckerstrom, scepter in hand, ceremoniously marched across the stage, occasionally flashing the crowd a wild-eyed grin. The guitarists, with their long hair whipping in perfect unison, added to the visual spectacle that developed before us. AVATAR delivered a captivating seven-song set, featuring hits like "The Dirt I'm Buried In", "Dance Devil Dance" and "Smells Like a Freakshow". The set reached its peak with a powerful performance of "Hail the Apocalypse", leaving the audience in awe.

Setlist:

  • "Beware of the Clown" (THE DAMNED song) Intro
  • "Dance Devil Dance"
  • "The Eagle Has Landed"
  • "Valley of Disease"
  • "Bloody Angel"
  • "For the Swarm"
  • "The Dirt I'm Buried In"
  • "Smells Like a Freakshow"
  • "Hail the Apocalypse"
Third on the bill were co-headliners, IN THIS MOMENT (ITM). Quite to my dismay, I was not granted permission to photograph ITM as they do not allow press coverage of their shows. As a long-time superfan, I held out hope to the last minute that I might be graced with a miracle, but sadly I was not. I will do my best to convey my experience through words since there will only be cellphone pictures to support my review.

The sound of a brewing storm could be heard as clouds of fog billowed out from behind a white drape embellished with the image of a large black widow spider. When the barrier fell to the floor, the shape of vocalist Maria Brink could be seen standing atop her altar, a wooden door frame structure. She wore an elaborate white mask adorned with a mystical facial shape garnished with crown-like spikes. She wore a translucent, long-sleeve flowing white gown that permitted the light to envelope her like a celestial goddess. To her side were two enchantresses cloaked in white bodysuits and hauntingly similar masks. The remainder of the band members then took their places on the stage. Guitarists Chris Howorth and Randy Weitzel flanked either side of Maria and her maidens. Kent Diimmel was engulfed by his massive drumkit in the back corner of the stage (luckily my daughter and her bestie met him for a photo while he was working the merch table after the show). Bassist Travis Johnson and his trademark half-face mask was noticeably absent from the band as he understandably continues to grieve the loss of his wife, Michelle, after recently losing her courageous battle with aggressive breast cancer.

ITM started their meager 7-song set with recent radio singles, "The Purge" followed by "The In-Between". As they proceeded through their nineteen-year discography, the sound and theatrical performances were stellar. Maria and the Blood Girls interacted with each other throughout the show, their movements synchronized as if they were one. With every few songs, Maria would emerge in a new ensemble that was tailored perfectly to the theme of the track and indicative of her attire in the accompanying video. Unlike many of my previous ITM experiences, Maria spent much of the time near her pulpit in the center of the stage, beyond the reach of her adoring fans. The setlist consisted of many great songs including "Blood" and "Sex Metal Barbie".

At the conclusion of "Big Bad Wolf", the band left the stage. Moments later, Maria's voice could be heard over the speakers. "Tsk, Tsk" she said. The audience belted out a collective scream. "Tell us! What would you like to hear?" The crowd knew the assignment and belted out a single word, "Whore!" With a flash of red lights, the stage flooded with fog and a podium tagged with the word whore sat in the center of the stage. Maria took her place at the top of the podium in her iconic dunce cap. She interacted with the crowd, waving her yardstick as if she were conducting a symphony. As the song played, the dancers changed from handmaid bonnets and dresses into white bodysuits and began leaping around the stage. Giant balloons filled the air and pink and white confetti rained down on the audience as it blasted from cannons. In keeping with tradition, at the end of the song, the entire band took their place at the front of the stage, thanking everyone for their attendance with one final bow.

The concert left me craving more, particularly because the co-headliner, with such an extensive and celebrated catalog, only performed a 7-song set. While the songs they chose were great, it felt like the setlist barely scratched the surface of what they could have delivered. Notable hits like "Sick Like Me" and "Adrenalize" were glaringly absent, which was a major disappointment. These are fan favorites that really showcase their energy and talent, and their omission left a noticeable gap in the performance. Given the depth of their discography, a longer set would have allowed for a more comprehensive experience, capturing the full range of their music. Instead, I was left feeling that the performance, while enjoyable, didn't fully represent what they're capable of, and I couldn't help but wish for just a few more songs to truly complete the night.

Setlist:

  • "The Purge"
  • "The In-Between"
  • "Blood"
  • "Sanctify Me"
  • "Sex Metal Barbie"
  • "Big Bad Wolf"
  • "Whore"
The crowd buzzed as they eagerly awaited the final artists of the night, ICE NINE KILLS (INK). A giant red banner displaying a movie parental advisory warning concealed the stage from our view. The banner stated "The following show has been approved for psychotic audiences only by the I.N.K Association of America". Formed in 2000 by two high school friends from Boston, Massachusetts, INK finds inspiration for their songs in the realm of classic horror films. The current INK lineup consists of sole founding member Spencer Charnas on lead vocals and keyboards, drummer Patrick Galante, rhythm guitarist Ricky Armelino, Joe Occhiuti on bass, and Dan Sugarman on lead guitar.

As the minutes passed, fog could be seen seeping from under the shroud that hid the stage. When the curtain finally dropped, a massive red-faced grim reaper wielding a dagger engulfed the back of the stage behind the drum kit. A woman carrying a walkie-talkie ran into our view, warning us of the danger that was about to unfold before us. Zombies lumbered through the fog as the crowd roared. Before us flourished a spectacle straight out of a slasher flick, complete with clothing racks displaying bodies in clear bags flanking the stage. The band was dressed in preppy, collared white shirts and khakis splattered with blood. Spencer sported a pair of dark-lensed black Ray-Bans and a single black glove on his left hand.

From start to finish, the set was non-stop energy. While belting out vocals, Chamas eluded stalking zombies, sparred a chainsaw wielding ghost, and effortlessly disemboweled would-be attackers. We witnessed highlights of our favorite classic horror movies come to life right before our eyes set to the soundtrack of INK. While the 14-song set played on, the audience was consumed by the theatrics that unfolded on stage. Songs like the REEL BIG FISH collaboration "Walking On Sunshine", "IT Is The End" and "Welcome To Horrorwood" sounded technically perfect, almost as if they were right off the album. As the show came to an end, the night's gory stage props became treasured keepsakes as they showered the mesmerized audience.

Setlist:

  • "Savages"
  • "Hip to Be Scared"
  • "Ex-Mortis"
  • "Wurst Vacation"
  • "A Grave Mistake"
  • "Rainy Day"
  • "Opening Night"
  • "Welcome to Horrorwood"
  • "The American Nightmare"
As always, kudos to the Mountain America Center for consistently bringing top-notch entertainment to our town. The venue itself is fantastic, with a well-designed layout that enhances the concert experience, and the employees are always welcoming and professional. We're truly fortunate to have such an incredible venue in our community, one that goes out of its way to book a diverse range of shows that cater to all tastes. Whether you're a fan of rock, country, pop, or any other genre, the Mountain America Center ensures there's something for everyone, making it a cornerstone of our local entertainment scene.

Check out some more photos from the show!
All Photos By Breezy Bird Photography


Back to Top

 

 

 Recent Reviews
JUDAS PRIEST, SABATON In Idaho Falls, ID With Photos!
JINJER, HANABIE., BORN OF OSIRIS In Charlotte, NC With Photos!
HIGH REEPER Renewed By Death
ELDER Live At BBC Maida Vale Studios
SATAN Songs In Crimson
KNAC.COM Recaps The NEW ENGLAND METAL AND HARDCORE Festival
1349 The Wolf & The King
RAINBOW Live In Munich 1977
STRIKER, LUTHARO, THE SCEPTER In Ottawa, CA
THE CULT, PATRIARCHY In Salem, OR With Photos!
THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER Servitude
RICHIE KOTZEN Nomad
FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, MARILYN MANSON, SLAUGHTER TO PREVAIL, THE FUNERAL PORTRAIT In Houston, TX With Photos!
PLUSH, KAMENAR In Clearwater, FL With Photos!
STRYPER When We Were Kings
CREED, 3 DOORS DOWN, FINGER ELEVEN In Houston, TX With Photos!
TEXAS HIPPIE COALITION Gunsmoke
FLAT BLACK Dark Side Of The Brain
GOD DETHRONED The Judas Paradox
U.D.O., MIDNITE HELLION, POWER THEORY In New Bedford, MA With Photos!
SEETHER The Surface Seems So Far
RHETT FORRESTER/ROB ROBBINS The Complete Dr. Dirty Sessions
MOGGS MOTEL Moggs Motel
WINTERSUN Time II
FLOTSAM AND JETSAM I Am The Weapon
MICHAEL SCHENKER My Years With UFO
FALLING IN REVERSE, DANCE GAVIN DANCE, BLACK VEIL BRIDES, TECH N9NE, JERIS JOHNSON In Houston, TX With Photos!
ICE NINE KILLS, IN THIS MOMENT, AVATAR, TX2 In Idaho Falls, ID With Photos!



HOME | MAGAZINE | VIDS | STORE | HELP/POLICIES

©2024 KNAC.COM. All Rights Reserved.    Link to us    Advertise with us    Privacy policy
 Latest News