Godsmack comes to Ottawa on tour for the newest album When Legends Rise. They bring with them a stacked line up and an epic live show.
The begining of Godsmack
Originating from Massachusetts in 1995 Godsmack has released 7 studio albums, 3 of which are number 1s mind you. They also have 23 top 10 rock hits on the radio, like come on! They have hit the stage with so many powerful acts.
Stitched Up Heart
American rock band, Stitched Up Heart kicked off the night with a powerful and strong show. This is a great way to start off the night featuring songs Warrior, This Skin and Darkness. Members include lead vocals Alecia Demmer, drummer James Decker, lead guitarist Merritt Goodwin and bassist Randy Mathias.
Volbeat
Next up, Danish rock band Volbeat. They put on an energetic, animated and fiery full set. Members include lead vocalist and guitarist Michael Poulson, guitarist Rob Caggiano, drummer Jon Larson and bassist Kaspar Boye Larson.
This set included a dedication to the bands’ inspiration Johnny Cash, in addition to songs such as Devil’s Bleeding Crown, Parasite and Still Counting. Volbeat played a full set and rocked the crowd out from start to finish. You could clearly see how much the fans loved them as they sang along to each of their tracks.
Godsmack
Godsmack hits the stage with their iconic stage production. Lead singer Sully Ema, guitarist Tony Rombola, bassist Robbie Merrill and drummer Shannon Larkin, sure know how to put on a powerful rock concert! They played songs from their newest album When Legends Rise released in 2018 including Bulletproof and Unforgettable.
They played a nice balance of classic ones too such as Voodoo and I Stand Alone along with an AC/DC cover of Highway to Hell. Last time I saw Godsmack my most distinct memory from that show was how awesome their lighting and pyrotechnics were. This time around, they did not fail to provide another fantastic visual show to complement their music. Instead of basic, standard concert lighting, they spiced it up with hot fire and the odd bang of fireworks, just to make sure you’re still paying attention.
Another iconic feature of Godsmack is their drum battles between the drummer and lead singer. It develops tension, passion and of course, fire. This makes you feel that tribal beat right in your soul and you can’t help but bop your head and get excited. They start out with an interlude of bongos from one and drums from the other. Like a true duel they go back and forth and try to one up the other.
You can tell these guys are a family and have a perfect connection. You can see them in unison and the skill level they express with every beat.
Godsmack is truly a band that gets you from the first step. If you weren’t a fan before, go check out one of their live shows and come back and tell me I’m wrong.
An unforgettable experience and one-of-a-kind concert for sure! Definitely one to add to your bucket list.
