Story by Ace Sims, Concert Reviewer
Photos by Amber Miller, Photographer
I can’t tell if 2017 has seen a resurgence in bands touring, or if Kansas City is finally getting more of them to grace us with their presence. Not only are bands touring this year, it seems they are partnering up massive co-headlining shows. One of the first collaborations this year to announce their powerhouse of a tour was Killswitch Engage and Anthrax, billed as the Killthrax Tour. Sunday, April 30 was Kansas City’s turn for this behemoth of a tour to stop by the beautiful Midland Theater.
First up, out of the steel city of Pittsburg, Penn. was Code Orange. This metalcore band, which is signed to Roadrunner Records, has a distinct vocal style like Mastodon where the vocals are not just pigeon-holed to one set person in the band. Code Orange brings to the stage a high – we’re talking very high – energy set while delivering their music to the masses.
Stepping in to the saddle next was The Devil Wears Prada – I’m honestly not sure why they are called that because not a single one of them were in Prada. (Sorry, I have been running that joke into the ground, so I thought why not one more time.) Following Code Orange’s lead, TDWP delivered a high level of energy to the Midland faithful. TDWP made sure to cover their entire musical catalog while supporting their latest album “Transit Blues,” which was released in October 2016. I did learn an interesting tidbit. It seemed there might have been someone controlling the mic during the TDWP set. Apparently twice someone in the audience heard Mike Hranica praise Jesus yet it never came out of the sound system.
Legends in their own right and part of the “Big 4,” Anthrax took to the stage with thunderous applause from the Midland crowd. In front of their giant banner emblazed with the Anthrax logo and pentagram, the members of the band used every bit of the two-level stage with access ramps on both ends. Lead singer Joey Belladonna was the last to hit the stage with his signature shorty mic stand. They played classics such as “Madhouse” and “Caught in a Mosh” early in the set, setting the tone for the night and taking the audience on a musical journey that has spanned three decades. One thing Anthrax did that was extremely cool was they had a booth set up, managed by f.y.e., that sold their “For All Kings” album and CD. If you purchased it from them and stayed after the show all the band members would come out and do a signing. Check into this people – that was an offering you do not see every time.
Last but certainly not least – and that is hard to say when you have to follow a band like Anthrax – was Killswitch Engage. Killswitch, out in support of their latest album “Incarnate,” is a band that has been on a steady climb to the top over the past several years with their nonstop touring and brutal sound mixed with infectious vocals. This is really a band that loves to tour and it shows as every member in the band, as all of these bands did all night, put every bit of heart and soul to their performance and gave the fans of Kansas City everything they had. With seven albums of material to choose from and of course their masterful cover of “Holy Diver,” KSE left everything out on the stage, leaving the fans satisfied and with smiles on their faces until the next time they come around.