@ginandjuicetv MUDVAYNE live in SYDNEY 16th FEB 2024 . @mudvayne @thephoenix.au @teamwrktouring #mudvayne #metal #sydney #numetal
NU Metal Demigods MUDVAYNE and icons of the early 00s return to Australia after an 18-year hiatus, and their return has been massively hyped for a good reason. You cannot tell a person in this venue that the masters of math metal, Mudvayne, are no longer relevant. Mudvayne’s sound is intense and densely layered, incorporating many complex elements. They always stood out from other nu-metal bands because they were unafraid to experiment and had a slightly progressive flavour. With the loco ones and Coal Chamber in tow, this is a neat little package of nu-metal goodness we could only dream of.
Tonight’s performance in Sydney takes place at the Hordern Pavilion. Before we knew it, the lights dimmed. Coal Chambers’ neon colourful lights shone menacingly around their amps as Mr Sandman played over the PA, turning into the Halloween theme when the band entered the stage.
From the first note, we are treated to a meticulously selected set list from their 30-year catalogue. Whoever decided on opening with Loco into Fiend into Big Truck obviously knows what fans want. Each track is going harder, louder, and more energetic. We were last treated to fresh Coal Chamber in 2015, the stand-out track being IOU Nothing, which goes down very well with the crowd mostly here for the early 00s hits.
Dez Fafara proved yet again that he is in a class of his own, commanding the stage while simultaneously connecting with the crowd.
The energy remains strong throughout their set, packed with hits such as Rowboat, Dark Days, and Something Told Me. Drummer Mikey propped up, moving like a wind-up animal. It was challenging to take your eyes off.
The energy peaked as Dez asked the crowd to sing along, ‘The Roof, the Roof, the Roof is on Fire’ with him. Beckoning in the staple Coal Chamber hit, Sway. Luckily, tonight we had an hour set from Coal Chamber, treated to 14 songs. This pairing proved perfect, as the nostalgic moments have only begun. The half an hour between sets was much shorter than anticipated as every turn had an old friend saying hello, still in disbelief that this tour was a reality.
Mudvayne came running out of the gate at 9.30, opening their time with Not Falling. As vocalist Chad Gray kicks things off with his iconic scream, bass player Ryan Martinie slips on entering the stage. Hopefully, he’s ok! It does not stop him from giving 100% for the rest of the show.
Their set was dominated by several tracks from their album legendary album L.D. 50, including Internal Primates Forever, -1, and, of course, Death Blooms, leaving the scream screaming for more.
Chad takes centre stage and asks the crowd to light up the venue for World So Cold. A beautiful song despite his demonic stage makeup!
The New Game was a favourite amongst fans as it was the first Mudvayne album released after the formation of HellYeah, in which both Chad and Greg were part.
The title track, Fish out of Water and Dull Boy had much singing along, although the energy in the room soared from the first note of Under My Skin from LD50 as we all jumped to the sky like we were 18 again.
A glaringly obvious favourite for many came in the form of Nothing to Gein, an iconic track from Mudvaynes history detailing some horrific moments of serial killer Ed Gein.
Towards the end of the song, Chad crouches down at the front of the stage on his riser with minimal music as he shakes, rocks and screams’ soiled dirty boy’ over and over before the band join back in louder again until Chad is screaming at the top of his lungs and drummer Matt McDonough couldn’t possibly hit those skins any harder. The emotion portrayed by Chad Gray on stage is unlike any other artist. He leaves every last ounce on stage and gives his heavy metal family all he can.
Mudvayne is no longer the band to make their crowd wait for encores. There are only two more questions left for the evening. The first, ‘Are you happy?’ To summon in the chart-topper Happy? from 2005’s Lost and Found. Many friends throw their arms around one another as they sing the chorus loudly! Guitarist Greg Tribbett looms over with his red and black spiked hair and matching makeup, remaining still, staring into the crowd, although with black goggles, you can’t quite make out where he is looking. This may make it even scarier!!
The final track can only be one, and this is where the second and final question remains. Chad waltzes over to the right side of the venue and asks the crowd if they can dig it, doing the same to the left before asking everyone, ‘Can you dig it’?
My smile reaches my ears (or so it feels), hearing the crowd sing Dig as loudly as possible until the final note.
Although it is abundantly clear the show is over, it doesn’t stop the ‘one more song’ or ’10 more songs’ chants at different points of the venue, all joining into one.
Mudvayne’s music has always been emotive and incredibly well-written, especially compared to other bands attempting to emulate their style. LD50 was a significant album of its time and influenced many bands.
Though the headliners left their mark on each person in attendance tonight. Mudvayne was last visited here in 2006. Tonight has been a long time coming. All in attendance embraced every moment and even sold out the merch table! Monitor and sound issues may have dampened a few moments, but the band members never let that get in their way of delivering spellbinding performances.
This may very well be the last time we ever see Mudvayne in Australia, and as the only country outside of North America that has witnessed this reunited Mudvayne, we are fortunate.
Thank you to the team at Phoenix for making this tour a reality.
COAL CHAMBER ON FILM 🎞️
