The Carnival Of Madness

Review by: Patrick
Photos by: Jamie Matuin

The economy SUCKS and concert tickets aren't exactly in every fans budget these days. This year's Carnival of Madness. Puddle of Mudd, Chevelle, Sevendust, 10 years and Shinedown for a small fee, you had to go!!!

No crazy carnival games, rides or even balloons!! 10 years kicked off the night with a heavy hitting set, and made sure the crowd was prepared for the show!! Guitarist Ryan "Tater" Johnson ran up and down the aisles playing for unsuspecting new arrivals and walked the stage with a hatchet. The last song "Tater" grabbed the hatchet and destroyed a ride cymbal and stand on stage to make sure the crowd was ready for the MADNESS!!

Next up was Sevendust, and these guys happy to be in Louisiana making sure their fans knew they got some Cajun food packed away on the bus! This band throw the fuck down, the crowd was a sea of head banging and jumping!! "Angels Son" and "Face to Face" my favorites were great just enough to hold me up till I see them again.

Next up was Puddle of Mudd on stage. After belting out "Blurry" and "She Fuckin' Hates me," fans were insane in a frenzy , all the women seemed to be screaming in joy! The old material was the crowd pleasers for sure..but their latest song "Stoned" definitely was the highlight of the set.

Chevelle …I have never seen them before (I own all Chevelles cds')for a three piece band, these guys throw the hell down!!. Just pure raw power. After opening up with "Clincher," the band played through a non-stop set that left the stage warmed up for the final band..

What came next was not a typical concert but a Production. Shinedown lead singer Brent Smith took the stage dressed in some medieval carnival outfit, complete with a top hat and a cane which he swung around violently as he danced like a crazy insane person on the stage.

The whole show he told the crowd "Not to remember this as a concert, this is where memories are made." The carnival of madness show was full of memorable speeches and great performances , from the stage show put on by Shinedown and the other bands. Smith's vocals were powerful…If I had the compare him to anyone it would be Mike Patton.

After the powerful set from Shinedown, encore to play "Simple Man,". This song has become my personal number 1 favorite cover every done!

The Carnival of Madness is the best package tour I have seen this decade!!!

**Special Thanks to Jamie Matuin for photos**

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