Mastodon and Lamb of God Deliver in Detroit - Concert Review Audio Ink Radio

Mastodon and Lamb of God Deliver in Detroit – Concert Review

2024-08-12

Mastodon on the Ashes of Leviathan tour in Sterling Heights, Michigan, near Detroit – Author: Anne Erickson, Photos via Anne Erickson

It’s always a bittersweet thing when a favorite band announces the anniversary of one of their most beloved albums. It’s a sentimental moment. But, on the other hand, it can be mind-blowing that a favorite album is a few decades old. Mastodon and Lamb of God are both celebrating the 20th anniversary of two of their seminal albums: 2004’s “Leviathan” for Mastodon and “Ashes Of The Wake” for Lamb of God. They’re celebrating the benchmark with a co-headlining tour, dubbed Ashes of Leviathan tour, featuring support from Kerry King of Slayer and Malevolence. Unearth takes the place of Malevolence on select dates.

Mastodon and Lamb of God in Detroit – Concert Review

The Ashes of Leviathan tour rolled through Freedom Hill in Sterling Heights, Michigan, near Detroit, on Aug. 10. As I walked into the amphitheater, I have to say that I’ve never seen it this packed. I’ve seen a bunch of shows at Freedom Hill, but this one seemed the busiest.

My suspicions were confirmed when Mastodon announced to the crowd that this was the biggest date of the tour so far, with more than 7,000 metal fans in attendance. It’s wild to think that this date was the busiest, because the tour already went through Atlanta, Georgia, which is Mastodon’s hometown. It just goes to show that Detroit is still “Detroit Rock City.”

Before Mastodon and Lamb of God took the stage, Unearth opened the show and got the crowd warmed up for what was to come. Kerry King’s band took the stage just before 7 p.m., and I was eager to check out this live set. King’s band features a handful of very seasoned musicians, and they performed like it. I was very impressed by the set and have to say these guys are way more solid than you would expect for a new band. I can’t wait to see what’s ahead for Kerry King and this project.

Now, it was time for Mastodon and Lamb of God. Mastodon were up next. This is a co-headlining run, so Mastodon’s set was very meaty, which was great, because Mastodon are certainly no openers at this point in their career. Mastodon performed tracks off “Leviathan,” of course, as well as more formative tracks. The crowd was absolutely in ecstasy watching them and roared along with every song. By the time Lamb of God took the stage, things were really amped up at Freedom Hill. The crowd exploded when Lamb of God took the stage and started delivering their in-your-face, pummeling form of heavy metal. Sometimes I forget just how influential both of these bands are in the metal world, but it becomes obvious when I see the crowds at their shows light up and thrust their fists in the air along with the beat. I haven’t been to as wild and uplifting a metal show as this one in a long time, and it felt great.

The tour runs through the end of August, so I would suggest catching it, if it comes to your area. Also, check out my exclusive interview with Kerry King about the tour, Slayer and more. Metal on, my friend.

View exclusive photos from Mastodon and Lamb of God on the Ashes of Leviathan tour at Freedom Hill in Sterling Heights, Michigan, below.

The Ashes of Leviathan tour in Sterling Heights, Michigan, near Detroit.

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Anne Erickson

Meet the expert - Author, writer and editor Anne Erickson is a Detroit-based reporter and radio host. She has written for the USA Today Network, Consequence.net, Blabbermouth.net, and many more. Anne holds a master's degree from Michigan State University. Contact Anne at anne@audioinkradio.com.

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Mastodon and Lamb of God Deliver in Detroit – Concert Review

Mastodon and Lamb of God in Detroit – Concert Review

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