Tuesday 14/11/06 Godsmack, Breaking Benjamin, Hour Cast @ the AVA Amphitheater, Tucson Arizona

If traffic is any sign of attendanc,e the venue is going to be packed tonight. The modern open air AVA Amphitheater was built by the Pascua Yaqui Tribe next to the fabulous Casino Del Sol. They have the best burritos at this venue and we chow down before the show starts.

The alternative industrial metal of Hour Cast is dark, haunting and decadent.  Featured on the soundtrack of Saw III, the sinister and brooding ‘Sakkara’ is even better live. During ‘Freeze’, strobe lights flash and tension builds like the fury of a gathering storm. An impassioned Patrick McBride roars then falls to his knees whilst random shouts and whistles break out in the crowd. Deeply primal and darkly forceful ‘God Failed’ keeps the audience cheering. Patrick paces and delivers a final, seductive and powerful performance as insatiable passion and wanton desire drives ‘3rd Of July’ to the breaking point.

Ben Burnley of Breaking Benjamin attacks the song ‘Diary Of Jane’ like a possessed man starving for the object of his affection. The harsh intensity of the piece literally leaves the audience howling. He tells us “This song represents the devil in life” then a pounding beat and insane guitar work thrills us during ‘Dance with the Devil.’ Their new single ‘Breath’ begins on a green lit stage. The song soars as Ben passionately pleads like a greedy unfulfilled lover. They end their set with ‘So Cold’ dishing out an intricate killer riff as all three guitarist line up and jam. Then Ben’s incredible vocals edged in desperation and aggression bring the house to its feet.