Godsmack, Shinedown and Like a Storm @ Darien Lake, Corfu, NY 7-24-18

Newly minted and fresh, the Godsmack, Shinedown and Like a Storm tour rolled into Darien Lake this past Tuesday night. This is only the 2^nd show on the run, so the bands are still getting their feet wet with the production. For it being the 2^nd show, I thought it ran only a few minutes behind, which wasn’t bad at all. Both Shinedown and Godsmack had over the top pyrotechnics and a big stage show. Each band played an hour and 15-minute set.

Opening was Like a Storm who played a 30-minute set that maybe short but very inspiring. Hailing from Auckland, New Zealand, Like A Storm won a lot of fans over who decided to come early. I thought the band did a bang-up job with songs like “The Devil Inside” and “Love the Way You Hate Me.” Vocalist Chris Brooks used a digeridoo on a few songs including the opening track “Pure Evil.”

With the co headlining double bill, Shinedown was up first. It’s been almost 3 months since they released their 6^th studio effort titled “Attention Attention.” I’m sure the band has bene chomping at the bit to play some of these songs live. Three songs were spread out throughout the set including the song “Black Soul,” which was one of the highlights of their performance. The song consists of a lot of changes in structure and timing and the band played it to perfection. Vocalist Brent Smith went out in the audience a few times as a second stage was set up right in front of the lawn section. Guitarist Zach Myers accompanied him on the 2^nd stage for the Lynyrd Skynyd cover “Simple Man.” Eric Bass showed his musical proficiency as he played piano on “I’ll Follow You” and played acoustic guitar on various parts of the set. It was a solid performance by one of rock’s most consistent bands.

Closing the night was Godsmack, like Shinedown, the band also released new music back in the spring. The band was very eager to take the stage and front man Sully Erna was all smiles as he took in the audience as he approached the microphone. The band opened up with their first single and title track “When Legends Rise.” The band moved about and Erna ‘s vocals were powerful and spot on. Drummer Shannon Larkin has always been a beast and the show at Darien was no different. He powered the band throughout the set and battled his bandmate (Erna) in a drum off as well. The part of the set that Godmsack incorporates “Batala de los tambores” (what the drum off is called) is always a fun part for the fans to see. The band also threw in a Beatles cover “Come Together.” Bassist Robbie Merrill tossed out drumsticks to fans during “Keep Away.” Guitarist Tony Rombola may not be flashy but his riffs are what drives the edge the band has. His playing has always been underrated but the true purists can appreciate his style of playing.

The 10 thousand plus braved the rain spurts for a triple bill of hard rock that truly showed rock isn’t close to being dead!

Godsmack setlist:

When Legends Rise

1000HP

Keep Away

Cryin’ Like a Bitch

Unforgettable

Straight Out of Line

Awake

Someday

Voodoo

Batala de los tambores