Nocturnal Underground Tour Review featuring Korn and Breaking Benjamin

Nocturnal Underground Tour Review featuring Korn and Breaking Benjamin
Peoria, Illinois

All Time Low's Rian Dawson

Nocturnal Underground Tour Korn

 

 

 

 

 

Two huge bands teamed up to bring rock and metal to the Peoria Civic Center in Peoria, Illinois. Korn has been around since 1993 and they are still going strong with their latest album set for release on October 21st. The album is named Serenity of Suffering. You cna pre-order exclusive album bundles here. Breaking Benjamin has been around since 1999. Breaking Benjamin has had a comeback with their latest album Dark Before Dawn that reached number one on the charts in 2015. They were joined by relative newcomers, Motionless In White, and Silver Snakes. Motionless in White have their own hits including A-M-E-R-I-C-A and the video was directed by Clown of Slipknot.

The weather was still warm for a Wednesday in late September in central Illinois. Silver Snakes opened the show and while they are a solid rock band, nothing really stood out during their set. While Motionless In White has their own fan-base mainly consisting of the younger crowd that has been cultivated from years on Warped Tour. Their set was sparse with a big backdrop with Motionless In White appeared to be written in blood red. Ghost’s mike stand props consisted of a Holy Bible and rosary beads. Their drum kit featured an orange jack o’lantern that is also featured on their merch. Their fans came dressed appropriately with the right makeup and sang along to all their songs including their newest track, “570”.

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Click to view complete Motionless In White Photo Gallery

 

Breaking Benjamin took the stage next and their stage set consists of a catwalk above and behind the drum kit. New features to their set are several CO2 smoke cannons. This feature adds more depth to the performance without the danger of pyro cannons. Ben Burnley and the guys have been on tour since 2015 all over the country and I have seen them five times to this date. At times, their sound is plagued by issues where levels of vocals drown out some of the other instruments. Unfortunately, this was one of those nights. Sound was not stellar for their performance. Now I know we love the Breaking Benjamin classic songs and Ben’s voice really makes the band what it is. That is how he was able to start over with new band members and still be successful as Breaking Benjamin. The songs that Keith Wallen and Aaron Bruch were singing were fine but did not feel like Breaking Benjamin songs. Otherwise, the band performed their hits along with a medley that they have done previously consisting of “The Imperial March”, “Schism”, “Smells Like Teen Spirit”, and “Walk” was not surprising. Again for fans of Breaking Benjamin, they have seen them multiple times and are looking for new Breaking Benjamin songs that consists of Ben on vocals.

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Click to view complete Breaking Benjamin Photo Gallery

 

Korn closed out the show. They always have an amazing live show and tonight was no exception. Their stage was covered while it was being set up and you though it consisted of a boring backdrop with Korn in red letters on gray background but later that dropped to reveal their newest artwork for their album Serenity of Suffering. There is a child with eerie blue eyes going to a carnival filled with creatures. The child has a zombie teddy bear from their Issues album cover with exposed innards where there is some freaky fat guy inside. The artwork was done by renowned artist, Ron English. There were also led light boxes with various abstract lights during the show.

Korn started their set with “Right Now”, “Here To Stay” and “Rotting In Vain”. Their single “Rotting In Vain” has an infectious quality since it was introduced at Chicago Open Air and fans knew all the words singing along. Their set consisted of songs from all time periods. They had the entire crowd chant “Fuck That” just before playing “Y’all Want A Single”. The carthartic release of that song is enough to go see Korn any day. Jonathan Davis sounded especially good with the bagpipes during “Shoots and Ladders”. Jonathon Davis mentioned that their album Life Is Peachy turned twenty years old and they performed “Twist” and “Good God” off of it. I think the true fans were looking for “A.D.I.D.A.S.” though. Regardless, they ended the night in true fashion with “Falling Away From Me” and “Freak On A Leash”.

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Click to view complete Korn Photo Gallery

 

 

You can see Korn on tour. Click here for complete tour dates. Korn Tour

Korn Concert Photos

Korn Concert Photos
Nocturnal Underground Tour
Peoria, Illinois

Korn

Korn

Brian Head Welch

Brian Head Welch

Jonathan Davis of Korn

Jonathan Davis

Fieldy of Korn

Fieldy

Jonathan Davis of Korn

Jonathan Davis

Brian Head Welch

Brian Head Welch

Jonathan Davis

Jonathan Davis

Brian Head Welch

Brian Head Welch

Jonathan Davis

Jonathan Davis

Ray Luzier of Korn

Ray Luzier

Fieldy of Korn

Fieldy

Jonathan Davis of Korn

Jonathan Davis

Ray Luzier of Korn

Ray Luzier

Fieldy of Korn

Fieldy

Fieldy of Korn

Fieldy

Brian Head Welch

Brian Head Welch

James Munky Shaffer

James Munky Shaffer

Brian Head Welch

Brian Head Welch

 

                                

Breaking Benjamin Concert Gallery

Breaking Benjamin Concert Gallery
Nocturnal Underground Tour
Peoria, Illinois

Breaking Benjamin

Benjamin Burnley of Breaking Benjamin

Breaking Benjamin

Keith Wallen of Breaking Benjamin

Breaking Benjamin

Aaron Bruch of Breaking Benjamin

Breaking Benjamin

Benjamin Burnley of Breaking Benjamin

Breaking Benjamin

Benjamin Burnley of Breaking Benjamin

Breaking Benjamin

Jasen Rauch of Breaking Benjamin

Breaking Benjamin

Benjamin Burnley of Breaking Benjamin

Breaking Benjamin

Benjamin Burnley of Breaking Benjamin

Breaking Benjamin

Aaron Bruch of Breaking Benjamin

Breaking Benjamin

Shawn Foist of Breaking Benjamin

Breaking Benjamin

Benjamin Burnley of Breaking Benjamin

 

                                

Motionless In White Concert Photos

Motionless In White Concert Photos
Nocturnal Underground Tour
Peoria, Illinois

Chris Motionless of Motionless In White

Chris Motionless of Motionless In White

Motionless In White

Motionless In White

Devin "Ghost" Sola of Motionless In White

Devin “Ghost” Sola of Motionless In White

 

Josh Balz of Motionless In White

Josh Balz of  Motionless In White

Ryan Sitkowski of Motionless In White

Ryan Sitkowski of Motionless In White

Devin "Ghost" Sola of Motionless In White

Devin “Ghost” Sola of Motionless In White

Chris Motionless of Motionless In White

Chris Motionless of Motionless In White

Vinny Mauro of Motionless In White

Vinny Mauro of Motionless In White

Ricky Horror of Motionless In White

Ricky Horror of Motionless In White

Chris Motionless of Motionless In White

Chris Motionless of Motionless In White

Josh Balz of Motionless In White

Josh Balz of  Motionless In White

                                

The Badger Fight, A Fundraiser for Kelly LeMieux

The Badger Fight, A Fundraiser for Kelly LeMieux

Kelly LeMieux Fundraiser

A fundraiser for Kelly LeMieux of Buckcherry

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kelly LeMieux of Buckcherry is fighting cancer. I was asked if a photograph I took could be used for a fundraiser. I agreed to donate my work for this fundraising shirt for Kelly LeMieux. I do not know Kelly personally but I know many who have been affected by cancer and wanted to help in any way possible.

If you are a fan or friend, please consider donating.  You can learn more about Kelly’s fight in the link below.

The link to the fundraiser by Within Reason Kelly LeMieux Fundraiser

Volbeat Concert Review with Killswitch Engage and Black Wizard

Volbeat Concert Review with Killswitch Engage and Black Wizard
Illinois State Fair
Springfield, Illinois

                                
Black Wizard started the night when it was still daylight. Black Wizard hails from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Their style of metal is reminiscent of Mastodon but missing the technical proficiency of Mastodon. Black Wizard is definitely a band that you buy their vinyl and spin it at home for a night of music enlightenment.

For more about Black Wizard, see their Facebook Black Wizard

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Click to view complete Black Wizard Photo Gallery

 

 

 

 

Killswitch Engage took the stage after the sun went down. Their set was energetic and hit laden. Frontman Jesse Leach sporting his old Mohawk haircut and beard. It almost felt like ten years ago but all the members of the band had aged a little. Oh and their setlist has changed over the years with songs like “Hate by Design” and “Alone I Stand”.  The band was hot off their performance at Chicago Open Air.

Setlist:
My Curse
Strength of The Mind
Beyond The Flames
Rose of Sharyn
Alone I Stand
Hate By Design
A Bid Farewell
Always
My Last Serenade
The End of Heartache
Holy Diver
In Due Time

 

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Click to view complete Killswitch Engage Photo Gallery

Volbeat had an elaborate stage set up with backdrop of screen that looked like windows with their metallic Elvis winged skull in front and cab covers of skulls as well. Drummer Jon Larsen’s kit has a lot of images going on and is a movie monster tribute except the one with Jerry Only on it. You can learn more about the monsters on the drum kit here: Video of Jon Larsen Classic Movie Monster Drum Build

Volbeat is a Danish metal band but their style of music is so varied with rockabilly, straight rock and then metal. They got the mosh pit and the crowd surfers going in the VIPit area. I have never seen more security at a show and the Illinois State Fair is in the capital of Springfield and the Illinois State Police police the show and also provide the security. I have never felt safer and never more sober either. Almost no marijuana use by anyone in the crowd so there was no secondhand buzz.  The weather was a perfect 82 degrees. The clouds covering the almost full moon looked like a horror movie show.
Their set started with their latest single, “The Devil’s Bleeding Crown” and it has already gained traction as an earworm that cannot be denied. You just have to sing along. The crowd was taken through their full and varied sound.
They performed just under two hours.

Their setlist:
The Devil’s Bleeding Crown
Heaven nor Hell/A Warrior’s Call/I Only Want to Be With You
Sad Man’s Tongue
Lola Montez
The Gates of Babylon
Dead but Rising
16 Dollars
Let It Burn
Hallelujah Goat
Goodbye Forever
Fallen
The Mirror and The Ripper

Encore:
Black Rose
Doc Holliday
Seal the Deal
Still Counting

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Click to view complete Volbeat Photo Gallery

Volbeat Concert Photos


Volbeat Concert Photos
Illinois State Fair
Springfield, Illinois

Michael Poulsen

Michael Poulsen

Michael Poulsen

Michael Poulsen

Kaspar Boye Larsen

Kaspar Boye Larsen

Rob Caggiano

Rob Caggiano

Drum Kit

Jon Larsen Drum Kit

Rob Caggiano

Rob Caggiano

Kaspar Boye Larsen

Kaspar Boye Larsen

Michael Poulsen

Michael Poulsen

Kaspar Boye Larsen

Kaspar Boye Larsen

Michael Poulsen

Michael Poulsen

Volbeat

Volbeat

                                

Killswitch Engage Concert Photos


Killswitch Engage Concert Photos
Illinois State Fair
Springfield, Illinois

Jesse Leach

Jesse Leach

Jesse Leach

Jesse Leach

Joel Stroetzel

Joel Stroetzel

Adam Dutkiewicz

Adam Dutkiewicz

Mike D'Antonio

Mike D’Antonio

Mike D'Antonio

Mike D’Antonio

Justin Foley

Justin Foley

Joel Stroetzel and Mike D'Antonio

Joel Stroetzel and Mike D’Antonio

Justin Foley

Justin Foley

Killswitch Engage

Killswitch Engage

                                

Black Wizard Concert Photos


Black Wizard Concert Photos
Illinois State Fair
Springfield, Illinois

Black Wizard

Black Wizard

Black Wizard

Black Wizard

Black Wizard

Black Wizard

Black Wizard

Black Wizard

Black Wizard

Black Wizard

Black Wizard

Black Wizard

Black Wizard

Black Wizard

Black Wizard

Black Wizard

Black Wizard

Black Wizard

Black Wizard

Black Wizard

Black Wizard

Black Wizard

Black Wizard

Black Wizard

Black Wizard

Black Wizard

Black Wizard

Black Wizard

                                

Sleeping With Sirens Concert Photos

Sleeping With Sirens Concert Photos
Vans Warped Tour
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Kellin Quinn

Kellin Quinn

Kellin Quinn

Kellin Quinn

Justin Hills

Justin Hills

Kellin Quinn

Kellin Quinn

Justin Hills

Justin Hills

Justin Hills

Justin Hills

Gabe Barham

Gabe Barham

Kellin Quinn

Kellin Quinn

Kellin Quinn

Kellin Quinn

Sleeping With Sirens

Sleeping With Sirens