There comes a time when an experience changes your outlook on a particular subject. I hit the Bank of NH Pavilion (formerly Meadowbrook) in Gilford Wednesday for such a show.
Local friends in Mindset X opened up the show on the Magic Hat side stage out in the gen pop area. These guys are somewhat of a local legend just back from a two year hiatus. The trio now includes a fourth member who may be one of the sickest guitar players in any local band I’ve seen in a long time. Mindset X is rooted in rock acts in the vein of Sabbath (they do an awesome NIB cover btw) but are self-described as getting heavier thanks to the new guitarist. Fantastic instrumentation all around and Steven really hits you in the feels with his heartfelt lyrics and delivery. Find these guys online at all the usual spots and head to Bandcamp to hear them!
Red Sun Rising is a name you may know if you listen to any sort of radio outlet. Similar artists on Apple Music list Pop Evil, Nothingmore, and Gemini Syndrome just to give you an idea. These guys had lots of energy! They sounded great too. Their debut album had two number one hits which is a huge feat that hasn’t been seen since Trapt in the early 2000’s. I’ve already downloaded their two albums and you should too!
The experience I described earlier came when Shinedown came out. Mind you, I’ve seen them before and have known about them for many years. Never found myself listening to the songs though. Won’t say I didn’t like them, because that wasn’t the case, but they weren’t in my rotation. Opening with “Sound of Madness”, the curtain was up through the intro and dropped when the riff kicked in with a firework pop. The energy and the excitement these guys brought completely changed how I see and hear them now. I’ve already added the discography to my phone and have been jamming it nonstop since that night. Brent came out onto the floor monitor, shook my hand, and sang into my lens for a good 3-4 seconds. Check out the pics below and check these guys out!
Godsmack will always hold a special place in my heart. Coming home from school in 1998, flipping on my N64, and jamming the self-titled album is a fond memory. These guys are local which was a huge influence on me as a kid wanting to play music. Now as an adult, things are a little clearer. Nearly everyone I know has some sort of story, mostly about Sully, and most not the nice kind. The performance hasn’t changed since the first time I saw them at the sky show in the early 2000’s and I was left wanting from the performance tonight too. Production was great and the crowd was sold out so the atmosphere was amazing but the show is tired. The only time Tony had any expression was during solos but Robbie was running around and Shannon was energetic which added a positive vibe. Don’t take this as anything but what it is. They are a pioneering force in the music world and have great success in their career. Perhaps though, the pioneering is done. Their newest album, When Legends Rise, was released earlier this year on BMG. Pick it up and catch them on this summer tour. Let us know what you think!
As always, the views stated in our reviews are solely mine and based on my experiences with them. Feel free to let us know if agree/ disagree and why!
Peace, love, and blessings.
Review & Photos: Anthony Coy
Check out the band’s websites for more info!
Godsmack
Shinedown
Red Sun Rising
Mindset X
MINDSET X
RED SUN RISING
SHINEDOWN
GODSMACK
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