By Cathy Moore with Rock All Photography & Music
KillThrax Explodes at Express Live
Expectations were high for the KillThrax tour featuring thrash metal legends Anthrax and metalcore masterminds Killswitch Engage and with special guests Jasta and The Devil Wears Prada. The tour, sponsored by SiriusXM, hit Express Live in Columbus, Ohio on March 30 and, believe me, it far exceeded all expectations.
Jasta, featuring Hatebreed vocalist Jamey Jasta, kicked the show off with a raucous set that definitely got the crowd pumped. Jasta played several “old school” tunes from their 2011 self-titled album as well as a couple tunes from their new release The Lost Chapters, which hit the market on March 31. Jasta got the crowd energized by demanding several circle pits and the crowd happily obliged.
Next up was The Devil Wears Prada, a tight and talented metalcore band originally from Dayton, OH. The Devil Wears Prada has such a dynamic array of genre-crossing music that they are a perfect fit with the KillThrax tour. Their set was non-stop high energy and hard rocking. They worked the stage and played a set list that included songs from their latest release Transit Blues as well as songs that showcase their 10 plus years in the music business. It was a tight and finely tuned performance. See our shots of The Devil Wears Prada here!
Then came Killswitch Engage. From the moment they took over the stage the crowd was under their spell. When lead vocalist Jesse Leach (who returned four years ago after a decade-long absence) commanded the crowd to pump their fists or wave their arms or jump up and down – everyone obeyed. Killswitch puts on an amazing live show. They use every inch of the stage and are animated and energetic the entire set. The band did a great job of mixing new material with older hits. A highlight of the set was the epic cover of the Dio song “Holy Diver.” The crowd went absolutely nuts! After seeing this show it is easy to see why Killswitch Engage is often credited as one of the most influential metal acts in the last 20 years. See our Killswitch Engage photo gallery here!
Finally it was time for Anthrax to rule the world inside Express Live. After 35 years in the business, Anthrax still earns their reputation of putting on an unforgettable live show. The band came out clad in classic Anthrax gear and stormed the stage with some of their biggest hits right off the bat including “Madhouse” and “Caught in a Mosh” and “I Am The Law.” The veteran rockers also played tunes from their critically-celebrated 11th album, For All Kings, and jammed to a cover of the Stormtroopers of Death song “March of the S.O.D.” and the Trust tune “Antisocial.” See our Anthrax photo gallery here!
Every member of Anthrax gives 110% while they are out on that stage. They were all animated and high energy for the entire show – making some crazy cool facial expressions, inciting constant circle pits and crowd surfing, and working the stage like they were still teenagers. It was truly impressive.
Also check out Moore Rock Shots & Reviews
The KillThrax tour is just getting started so I urge you to get to one of these shows. This is an epic live music experience that must not be missed. Remaining dates for the KillThrax tour are as follows.
APRIL
1— Little River Casino, Manistee, MI (Anthrax only)
1 — Norva, Norfolk, VA (KsE only) &
3 — The Fillmore, Silver Springs, MD &
4 — The Dome, Wallingford, CT *&
5 — Electric Factory, Philadelphia, PA *&
7 — 20 Monroe Live, Grand Rapids, MI *&
8 — The Fillmore, Detroit, MI ** &
9 — Stage AE, Pittsburgh, PA *&
11 — The Ritz, Raleigh, NC **#
12 —Tabernacle, Atlanta, GA **#
13 — House of Blues, Orlando, FL *#
15 — Texas Independence Festival, Austin, TX **#
16 — Boggus Ford Events Center, Pharr, TX **#
17 — House of Blues, Houston, TX *#
18 — House of Blues, Dallas, TX **#
20 — The Marquee, Phoenix, AZ *#
22 — The Wiltern, Los Angeles, CA **#
23 — The Fillmore, San Francisco, CA **#
25 — Showbox SoDo, Seattle, WA *#
26 — Roseland Theatre, Portland, OR **#
28 — Fillmore Auditorium, Denver, CO *#
29 — Sokol Auditorium, Omaha, NE **#
30 — Midland Theatre, Kansas City, MO *#
MAY
1 — The Pageant, St. Louis, MO **#
3 — Danforth Music Hall, Toronto, ON, CANADA **#
5 — Paramount Theatre, Huntington, NY **#
6 — Upstate Concert Hall, Clifton Park, NY *#
7 — House of Blues, Boston, MA *#
* — KsE closes
** — Anthrax closes
&— Featuring Jasta
# Featuring Code Orange
[…] Check out our review of the show here! […]
[…] Check out our review of the show here! […]