Photos and Review by Jim LaValley
Galleries: Static-X, Sevendust, Dope
Static-X on their Machine Killer Tour with Sevendust and Dope took the SOLD-OUT Worcester Palladium by storm. As I walked into the building, I noticed the place was already packed before Dope even took the stage. As the lights dimmed and the crowd roared in anticipation, the band wasted no time in unleashing their signature blend of nu metal and industrial rock upon the eager audience. With frontman Edsel Dope leading the charge, their setlist was a relentless onslaught of headbanging anthems that left no one in the building unaffected.
When Dope went into their second song (Bring it on), the crowd erupted while Edsel’s vocals, Daniel Fox on bass, Chris Warner on drums, and Acey Slade on guitar put on an electrifying performance. I was able to catch Acey in the air as he brought the energy and shredded all night. I have never seen Dope and was blown away by their incredible performance.
Sevendust, another titan of the rock world, took the stage following Dope’s triumphant set, and they wasted no time in unleashing their powerful brand of alternative metal on the Worcester crowd. With lead vocalist Lajon Witherspoon at the helm, Sevendust delivered a flawless performance that left fans in awe. Witherspoon’s soulful and dynamic vocals took center stage, effortlessly transitioning between soothing melodies, and ferocious screams.
Sevendust’s tight musicianship was on full display, with guitarists Clint Lowery and John Connolly trading off blistering riffs and soul-stirring solos. Bassist Vince Hornsby and drummer Morgan Rose provided an unrelenting rhythmic backbone, driving the energy all night. The crowd couldn’t help but lose themselves in the infectious hooks of hits like “Bitch“, “Denial“, and their latest hit “Everything”. Sevendust’s performance was a testament to their staying power in the industry, reaffirming their status as one of the most influential alternative metal bands of all time.
Next up, Static-X with their signature blend of industrial metal and aggression transported the audience into a powerful and intense visual and sonic experience. From the moment they stepped on stage, the crowd was on their feet, headbanging and crowd surfing to the relentless rhythm and pulsating guitar riffs. Lead vocalist Xer0, paying homage to the late Wayne Static, commanded the stage with his hypnotizing presence, seamlessly channeling Static-X’s energy and raw power.
Static-X took the stage by having Xero step into a fiery staircase as he ripped out their hit “Hollow” with Tony Campos on bass, Ken Jay on drums, and Koichi Fukuda on guitar to set the tone for the night.
The production and stage design were equally impressive, complementing the band’s energetic performance. The lighting choices, vivid and dynamic, perfectly matched the tone of each song, evoking a range of emotions from raw aggression to introspection. The stage set up had an XBot dancer joining in the fun and also had some crazy purple bubbles that weren’t translucent, which added to the overall captivating visualizations. When they closed the show with their final song, they introduced the band and went into their blistering version of “Push It”.
Xer0’s interactions with fans, delivering heartfelt speeches about Wayne Static’s legacy, created an intimate and emotional experience that united everyone in attendance. Static-X’s performance at the Worcester Palladium was an incredible journey of sound and emotion, reminding us that their music and Wayne’s legacy will continue to resonate for years to come.