Friday 18/08/06 Family Values Tour @ Cricket Pavillion, Phoenix, Arizona

Taking the side of the average Joe, the Family Values Tour waved a finger in the face of high priced venues and offered 5 pound lawn tickets. This sprawling grassy knoll at the back of the venue is separated from the pit at the front of the stage by row upon row of seats. Tonight we’re in for a nearly sold out house of 20k but this afternoon it’s a pleasant gathering as excited fans trickle into the venue for the second stage acts and some power house treats.

Under the hood of Bullets and Octane is a blistering fast hard rock engine fuelled by scorching metal and incendiary punk. Gene Louis’s rough edged and forceful vocals are quite on form today as is his performance. They get the crowd’s blood pumping whilst spirits flow down the mobs throats and the party begins.

Like a head rush with barbs Bury Your Dead crash onto the stage and gratifies out primal senses with ‘House of Straw.’ This song off their new release 'Beauty And The Breakdown' is an example of their growth as a band. It delivers a brisk, clean and energetic moshcore piece without losing sight of their original sound. Their natural progression through their music is evident as they perform ‘12 Stroke Of Midnight.’ With breakdowns and harsh jolting roars BYD does its duty sending the rabble on the lawn into a clattering, spinning frenzy. Mat Bruso shows us the goods with ‘The Color Of Money’ as he coarsely growls “I see you're weak.” Then the hard-hitting instrumentals of ‘Magnolia’ team up and match his aggressive vocals as they both smash into the worked up crowd and leave us grinning.

The extraordinary alternative metal band 10 Years gives us smart, poetic lyrics and consuming rock with an epic edge. The captivating ‘Waking Up’ sends the audience swaying to Jesse Hasek’s enthralling vox as it soars and ebbs above a distinctive metal sea. The moving ‘Through the Iris’ is a song better felt than understood. Lewis and the lads have been friends since second grade and this early bond may explain in part the depth and tight genius behind their works. The number one hit ‘Wasteland’ is greeted by a fervent reation as guitarist Matt Wantland and Lewis jump into the air whilst the mosh feverishly churns. The piece draws to a close, Jesse jumps down into the pit and is enveloped in reaching hands.

It’s a full house by now and a faction of fans start chanting Dir en grey long before this Japanese band arrives. Their unique form of rock verges on prog-metal and we’re entranced by lead singer Kyo. He’s other-worldly, his vocals pure, soulful and twisted. As the performance progresses he takes off his shirt, revealing past scars on his chest then begins to claw at himself drawing blood. Whilst their compelling heavy bass lines progress Kyo stalks about the stage working him self into a trance like state. His vox becomes mournfully haunting whilst he throws himself in air, postulates and glares at the crowd. During ‘Spilled Milk’ the poet sings “Hide your blood veined eyes/swallow your loneliness…” He stands on a platform, shoves his fingers in his mouth and claws at his cheek. He seems possessed, depraved and lost in another realm. It’s like a dark cloud has crossed the sun.

Washing away all hints of the macabre, the beautiful Lacey Mosley of Flyleaf brings back the light. One of the most dynamic female voices in alternative music today, Lacey sings ‘Red Sam’ to their starry eyed fans. Skillfully negotiating drastic changes in melody, inflection and attitude, Lacey performs ‘Breathe Today’ with ease. During ‘Fully Alive’, she collapses on the ground whilst an instrumental riff plays then rises, spins and launches back into this piece leaving us breathless at the incomparable power of her voice. They up their game with the intense and screamo laced ‘So Sick,’ top it with ‘So I Thought’ and crown it all with ‘Cassie’ whilst the horde gives them their thunderous dues.

Stone Sour is a rock band that doesn’t allow its self to be pigeon holed. Truly amazing vocalist Corey Taylor leads us through exquisite riffs, chugging bass, titillating licks and relentless drums whilst delivering fierce weighty hard rock and warm heartfelt melodies. The bluesy and drifting ‘Zzyxx Road’ walks the honest highway then explodes in intensity, whilst the newest chart topper ‘Through Glass’ has us falling in love forever. With the first notes of ‘Bother’ the crowd response is deafening. They are really into this song, from the top to bottom of the Pavilion 20k people are on their feet, rocking out and singing with passion. Corey asks “You like that song?” and they scream back in unison “YES!”