As summer comes close to an end, many from all over the country made their way to Chester, PA, for Rock Allegiance. Once the doors were opened, fans ran to get their places on the field while others took advantage of the short merchandise lines and Gourmet Man Food.
For the second year in a row Devour The Day opened up the Main Stage. Just like last year, they were the perfect band to open the stage by the energy they bring and also by bringing a familiar face as they were the only band that returned from last year’s line up. The festival did an outstanding job with the band placement times by having the heavier side of music in the middle of the day in order to wake up the early bird crowd. Security workers definitely had their hands full this weekend as crowd surfers and moshers gave it their all. Heavy bands that had the crowd going were Hellyeah, Killswitch Engage, Trivium, and Anthrax, but it seemed the crowd’s energy was turned up a notch when the Swedish metal heads of Avatar began their set. More crowd surfers were awakened as were the mosh pits. The band had one of the highest energy sets of the weekend. One of the biggest moments of the two days that made many grab their phones and hit the record button was when Anthrax lead vocalist Joey Belladonna joined Sevendust on stage to perform “Face To Face.” It seemed it was not planned by the band as the memebers of Sevendust were shocked but beyond happy. Sevendust lead Vocalist Lajon Witherspoon mentioned how much it meant to have someone who he has looked up to for so long join him on stage, so not only was it a exciting moment for fans but it was also a special moment for the band and its members.
Aside from the Main Stages was the Side Liberty Stage where the crowd made its way throughout the day to see bands such as Pierce The Veil, Amity Affliction, Buckcherry, Crobot, and Death Angel. As it became later in the afternoon, fans made their way back to the many food vendors that the Rock Allegiance staff brought once again. Not only was there food, there were many craft beers to choose from. It gave the fans a much different experience compared to what you would find at just another concert by drinking the average Bud Light.
Late afternoon bands absolutely rocked the Main Stages with bands such as Breaking Benjamin, Chevelle, and The Offspring. But as the headliners came closer, the fans got rowdier and that was definitely the case with Volbeat taking the stage as their fast paced sound got the crowd all pumped up. Slayer followed and some of the biggest mosh pits of the night opened up with their old school heavy sound. Once Alice In Chains took the stage though, it was all bets off as it seemed no one had left to beat traffic and everyone wanted to see these guys! Playing everything from the new material to the classics, the crowd’s energy was once again at its top for the weekend and Alice In Chains was an excellent band to headline!
Overall, the Rock Allegiance staff did an outstanding job with the choice of bands, set times and honestly everything in general. This is just the second year of the festival but expect many years more to come!
Saturday:
Alice In Chains setlist:
Hollow
Them Bones
Again
Check My Brain
Down In A Hole
No Excuse
Stone
We Die Young
Man In The Box
Would?
Breaking Benjamin setlist:
So Cold
Angels Fall
Sooner or Later (Keith Wallen on lead vocals)
Blow Me Away
The Imperial March/Schism/Smells Like Teen Spirit/Walk (John Williams/Tool/Nirvana/Pantera-cover medley)
Polyamorous
Ashes of Eden
Believe (Adam Bruch on lead vocals)
Breath
Failure
I Will Not Bow
Until the End
The Diary of Jane
Sunday:
*Unfortunately Avenged Sevenfold management were strict on photos so we decided to pass on any coverage.
Slayer setlist:
Repentless
The Antichrist
Disciple
War Ensemble
Mandatory Suicide
Fight Till Death
Dead Skin Mask
Hate Worldwide
South of Heaven
Raining Blood
Hell Awaits
Angel of Death
We would like to thank Kristine Ashton-Magnuson from Ashton-Magnuson Media and Danny Wimmer Presents for the credentials to review the show.
