Aug 15, 20223 min read

Freaks On Parade Comes To Irvine: Rob Zombie, Mudvayne, Static-X, & Powerman 5000 (Photos)

Sights from the maniacal metal occasion that transpired this past weekend.

Photos & Text by Maurice Nuñez (@devilman.138):

Halloween came early this year as the Freaks On Parade Tour made its way to the FivePoint Amphitheater in Irvine, CA this past Friday. The evening's festivities started early as we were there to cover the whole show, which included Powerman 5000, Static-X, Mudvayne, and the main freak himself, Mr. Rob Zombie. Southern California was ready for the parade as fans arrived early and were dressed for the occasion. Even though the day had summer temperature in the 90s, the crowd looked as though they were dressed for the biggest Halloween bash in town, and Heaviest of Art was there to document it all.

Powerman 5000 kicked things off in the late afternoon with the heavy sounds of Footsteps and Voices, then right into Nobody's Real. For those of you that may not know, this band is led by Rob Zombie's younger brother, Michael Cummings, better known as Spider One. They sure know how to make this a freaky family affair!

Next up would be Static-X, who ripped through hits from the iconic album, Wisconsin Death Trip (1999). These guys made sure to keep the party going with an elevated intensity that began with Bled for Days and continued into other fan favorites including Sweat of the Bud, Love Dump, and I'm With Stupid. The band sounded tight which brought back memories to those early years. Wayne Static would certainly be proud. The crowd went wild as they concluded with the electric sounds of the massive hit, Push It.

As the sun began to set in Irvine, the monstrous energy of Mudvayne filled the amphitheater. To say that Mudvayne's return was one of the most anticipated metal shows to come to Southern California would be an understatement. The band had been on hiatus for the past 10 years until they began playing festivals last year. They took the stage with the explosive hit, Dig, and proceeded to play other classics like -1, Severed, Not Falling, and Nothing to Gein. These guys are as heavy as ever as they came back with a vengeance. Now that they are back, we hope they eventually do their own headlining tour.

It was finally time for Rob Zombie to take the stage, fittingly so on a massive skull-like zombie stage riser. Towering over the stage overlooking the crowd, Rob was joined on stage with John 5 on guitar, Count D on bass, and Ginger Fish on drums. The band started the set with The Triumph of King Freak then went right into Superbeast.

The fans could not get enough as they head banged and sang along to Rob's songs as he continues to cement his place as one of the best frontmen in metal. His way with the crowd is to strive for. With his very charismatic ghoul type presence, Zombie gets everyone involved into every song, especially with classics like Living Dead Girl, More Human Than Human, House of 1000 Corpses, and Thunder Kiss '65 making a presence. It felt as though we were in a heavy metal house of horrors, but all great things must come to an end and that night, Rob and crew concluded the night with the infamous Dragula.

What a night and what a show! There's only a few more stop left on tour, so be sure to catch if it rolls through your town. See photos and full setlist below:

Rob Zombie Setlist

The Triumph of King Freak (A Crypt of Preservation and Superstition)

Superbeast

Meet the Creeper

Shake Your Ass – Smoke Your Grass

Living Dead Girl

More Human Than Human (White Zombie song)

Scum of the Earth

Dead City Radio and the New Gods of Supertown

Never Gonna Stop (The Red, Red Kroovy)

Well, Everybody's Fucking in a U.F.O.

House of 1000 Corpses