Chevelle with 10 Years @ The Fillmore Charlotte, NC 12-5-17

With December and the holiday season upon us, the Charlotte concert calendar is still in full force with the alternative metal trio Chevelle making at stop at The Fillmore bringing another outstanding alt-metal band, 10 Years, along for the ride. The evening was cool but comfortable as the near capacity crowd wound their way around the block in anticipation of the venue doors opening and gaining a much coveted front of the barricade spot.

Judging solely by the number of Chevelle shirts versus 10 Years shirts that I spotted, I would say the crowd was split about equally between the two bands. Shortly that would be irrelevant though as both bands came to put on a show that would leave fans of both bands begging for more. Touring in support of their latest album “(how to live) As Ghosts,” 10 Years hit the stage hard kicking off their raucous set with “Russian Roulette.” The band sounded great as they tore into two songs from the new record, the current single “Novacaine” and “Catacombs” before launching into crowd favorite “Fix Me.” Toward the back of the stage, I was trying to figure out who was handling bass duties and it turned out to be Tony Carboney from Otherwise. I’m not sure if he is filling in for the tour or what the scoop is but he was definitely a welcome addition to the lineup. Frontman Jesse Hasek was vocally on point and is definitely a one of a kind showman as he fed off the energy from the crowd giving it everything he had from the minute he stepped on stage to the moment he exited drenched in sweat. Included in their set was an exquisite cover of Nirvana’s “Heart Shaped Box” and one of their earlier hits the more subdued but very powerful “Wasteland.” Hasek really got things amped up with “Shoot It Out” and the set closer “Actions & Motives” balancing on the barricade with the help of fans up front and even diving into the crowd for a brief moment. After a phenomenal performance, 10 Years had the crowd right where they should be, sweating and ready for Chevelle to take over.

I have seen Chevelle live too many times to count and one thing I can always say is that they never disappoint and tonight would be no exception. Drummer Sam Loeffler was first to take his spot on stage behind his massive kit amid a riser mid stage. Bassist Dean Bernardini was up next and then frontman Pete Loeffler took his spot behind his microphone stage right. The power of the music then hit you full force as the band started the night off with “Another Know It All” from their 2004 record “This Type of Thinking (Could Do Us In)” followed by the crowd pleaser “The Clincher” off the same album. The vibe of their show is a bit dark and brooding with the band letting the music wash over you and speak for itself. You won’t see a lot of visual aspects or smoke and mirrors that often come with a metal show. With Chevelle it’s all about the music and the immensity of it all. Sometimes it’s easy to forget that there are only three musicians making this enormous wall of sound. Pete’s vocals sounded amazing with a haunting quality at times and musically this power trio is solid as a rock. I was a bit surprised but pleasantly so at the set list which was quite varied with a few newer songs from their 2016 album “The North Corridor” fitting seamlessly in with Chevelle hits “Face to the Floor” and “Jars.” After finishing up their regular set with a frenzied version of “Hats Off To The Bull,” Chevelle took a very brief break before the stage lights went all red setting up the anticipation for their encore. Pete led the audience through an emotionally stirring version of “The Red” before capping off the evening with the formidable “Send The Pain Below.”

Although it seemed the music had only just begun, it was over. An incredible night of music came to an emotional end as the fans exited the venue already discussing the possibility of the next time Chevelle will get a chance to visit our fair city.

10 Years Set List:

Russian Roulette

Now Is The Time (Ravenous)

Novacaine

Catacombs

Fix Me

Chasing the Rapture

Heart Shaped Box (Nirvana cover)

Wasteland

Shoot It Out

Actions & Motives

Chevelle Set List: