Review by: Greg Walkowiak
Photograpger: Greg Walkowiak
More show photos: HERE
Meet The Band:
Jason Newsted – (Bass, Vocals, Guitar)
Jesus Mendez Jr. – (Drummer)
Jessie Farnsworth – (Guitar, Bass, Back up Vocals)
Mike Mushok – (Guitar)
The name Newsted speaks for itself. Not just because of being the former bassist for Metallica, but for the eruptive attitude he possesses in what he accomplishes in the studio, on stage and with other projects he takes on.
Jason Newsted has been working very hard at many things including, crafting his own brand of ear pounding, sound splitting metal. Newsted walked into the Middle East Nightclub in Cambridge Mass and literally blew the roof off the place. His proficiency to dispense a stellar show is uncanny and gives pure gratification one has to see.
For some time now Jason Newsted seemed to have fallen off the radar screen for a bit, one could even say dormant. Fast forward to today; Jason has exploded back onto the scene with eye popping results. Spewing out songs from the Metal EP along with some new tracks, he also spit out some of his personal favorites, obliterating the crowd with them all. Newsted is comprised of Jason Newsted, Jesus Mendez Jr., Jessie Farnsworth and recently added Mike Mushok, formerly of Staind. Mushok’s shattering chords and Farnsworth’s screaming riffs along with the epic drumming of Mendez and the natural talents of Newsted complete and form the reverberating “Newsted”.
The band shot onto the stage like a speeding bullet from a gun barrel. Opening with “Amp” which fed into “Heroic” and then “Soldierhead”, you knew they meant business from the onset. The entire set was highly explosive and contained raw attitude. Not to be left out of course, were the new tracks they played. “As the Crow Flies”, “Twisted Tale of the Comet”, “Nocturnous” and “Spider Biter” won the crowd over with searing guitar work, smashing drums, pulsating bass and blistering vocals that sent everyone into a chaotic fury. The overwhelming response was across the board and many including myself were more than fascinated.
The entire band although just recently formed in many aspects, took the place by the throat and literally crushed it. A silence came over the crowd to where one could hear a pin drop when Jason sat on the edge of the stage and proceeded to play “My Friend of Misery” which opened the door for the song “Spider Biter”.
One could only expect they would do some Metallica songs and they delivered with a severe punch to the gut, performing Creeping Death and of course Whiplash. The crowd reacted with deafening reception, which was acknowledged by Jason as he stated how he felt the love from all in attendance. They also closed the show with a Motorhead cover “We Are the Road Crew”, which was an added bonus for all. The whole show was amazing and made more of a fan out of me. Great things come to those who wait and I am glad I did. Jason Newsted is back and he is definitely going to ignite the Metal World once again with his culmination of talent.
SETLIST:
Amp
Heroic
Soldierhead
Godsnake
As The Crow Flies
King of the Underdogs (with Creeping Death Bridge)
Twisted Tale of the Comet
Nocturnous
Whiplash (Metallica cover)
ENCORE:
Spider Biter (Preceded by My Friend of Misery bass intro)
Skyscraper
ENCORE 2:
Reptile
(We Are) The Road Crew (Motorhead cover)