You can always count on a great night of rock when 10 Years comes to town and this Wednesday evening was no exception as the band made a stop in Charlotte on their “(How To Live) As Ghosts” tour. After a fall run supporting Chevelle, the hard rockers are out on a headlining run and treated fans at The Underground to an exciting night of music they won’t soon forget.
Opening up the evening’s festivities was local up and comers Killakoi. The young band has a heavy rock sound with a definite grunge vibe and impressed the audience with a solid seven song set. Led by vocalist and guitarist Jordan Mattacchione, Killakoi played like a well oiled machine as they ran through songs from their upcoming debut EP “Pangea” as well as a nice cover of Alice In Chains’ “Them Bones.” They have a stage presence well beyond their years as bassist Sam Ocheltree and Mattacchione worked the stage like seasoned pros. Guitarist Robbie Reimer provided the crunching riffs as drummer Michael Russo pounded away behind the kit. With “Pangea” about to be released and more tour dates on the books, we’re sure to hear a lot more from this exciting new band.
After a short intermission, the venue lights dimmed and 10 Years took the stage. With drummer Kyle Mayer taking his spot behind his massive drum kit, two LED screens lit up on each side of the stage with ever changing images as guitarists Brian Vodinh and Matt Wantland took up their positions along with bassist Chad Huff. Kicking off their set with “Halos” off their latest album “(How To Live) As Ghosts,” frontman Jesse Hasek ran as the crowd roared their approval. With the hood on his t-shirt up over his head, Hasek commanded the room from the very first notes. 10 Years has a great sound and is always able to flawlessly mix the ultra heavy with brilliant melodies. Radio hits “Fix Me” and “Now Is The Time (Ravenous)” were up next quickly getting the crowd pumped up and ready to rock. Guitarists Vodinh and Wantland were on fire providing the punishing riffs and sizzling leads as Huff and Mayer provided the rock steady rhythms. The sound quality was amazing with Hasek’s vocals enveloping the crowd. I have to give a shout out to whoever was running their sound because the mix was spot on which is not always an easy feat especially in a smaller venue like The Underground. Jesse kept the chit chat to a minimum but did take a moment to encourage the fans to always enjoy the moment and allow themselves to feel the ups and downs and emotions of life. Their setlist was a good mix of newer songs like “Novacaine” and older tunes like “Actions & Motives” with a cover of Nirvana’s “Heart Shaped Box” thrown in for good measure. After a poignant acoustic tune which had the audience singing along, it was time for the band to exit as drummer Kyle Mayer entertained with a mesmerizing drum solo. Following the solo, the band returned for a short instrumental jam session to Metallica’s “Master of Puppets” with Hasek declaring he wasn’t even going to try and do James Hetfield. Closing out the night was the show stopper “Shoot It Out” which had fists in the air as the crowd shouted along.
10 Years always gives their all resulting in a perfect night of rock that left the audience wanting more. Be sure to check them out when the “(How To Live) As Ghosts” Tour hits up a city near you.
Set List:
Halos
Fix Me
Now Is The Time (Ravenous)
Vampires
Beautiful
Burnout
Waking Up
Catacombs
Russian Roulette
Heart Shaped Box (Nirvana cover)
Battle Lust
Actions & Motives
So Long Goodbye
Wasteland
Backlash
Drum Solo
Novacaine
Shoot It Out
We would like to thank Sreve Karas from SKH Music for the credentials to review the show.
