The strength of the four-band touring bill was nothing short of towering in scale.
Words, Photographs by Ekaterina Gorbacheva (@ekaterinagorbacheva.art) at the
Kia Forum in Inglewood, CA on August 21, 2024:
"Console yourself, you're better alone/
Destroy yourself, see who gives a fuck"
Randy Blythe's chorus on Ashes of the Wake (2004) opener, Laid To Rest, is one that has rang true throughout clubs, amphitheaters, festivals, and arena stages around the world, decades beyond its inception. It's an invigorating string of lines to shout from the top of your lungs with fists clenched and arms raised, ideally in unison with thousands of others before pyrotechnics and digital screens towering over you. That is exactly what happened on the night of August 21st as Lamb of God brought the madness of their seminal record to the Kia Forum in celebration of its 20th Anniversary.
Joining the affair was Mastodon, who in celebration of their own trailblazing record, Leviathan (2004), formed the Ashes of Leviathan Tour. Special guests Kerry King & Malevolence (who we unfortunately missed due to LA traffic) set the stage with exhilarating sets of their own, completing a memorable tour package of new blood and established greatness.
Kerry King, an obvious legend, brought his solo endeavors to the live setting in the best way possible — with arena sound. Led by an enthusiastic Mark Osegueda on the mic and equally great musicianship from THE Paul Bostaph (Slayer), bassist Kyle Sanders (HELLYEAH), and guitarist Phil Demmel (Machine Head), the newly formed outfit delivered big.
Kerry King Photo Gallery
From here came Mastodon — masters of live showmanship and stage production. Like their previous showing at the Kia Forum alongside Gojira, their performance was graced by digital screens alternating from Paul Romano's iconic artwork to serpentine graphics and more, not to mention pyrotechnics and lasers.
Leviathan in its entirety reverberated throughout, stirring great excitement amongst the many that knew it word for word. Epic moments, like Megaladon's eruption and Blood and Thunder's charging energy, drew great praise, and rightfully so as it inspired (and continues to inspire) many acts to follow.
Mastodon Photo Gallery
Soon after Mastodon's momentous showing, anticipation rose and lights dimmed as a white curtain rose above the stage with a projection of Lamb of God's band lettering to preface the history in action. Laid To Rest hit the stage and Ashes of the Wake came alive once again.
K3n Adams' artwork hovered over the band as they commanded through a pit stirring set that felt nothing short of grand throughout. Flickering strobe lights, vivid digital imagery, and fire among a soaring Randy Blythe jumping from a riser made for as much of a visual spectacle as a musical one.
The strength of Ashes felt ever so strong that night as hit after hit from their revered discography shot adrenaline up the spine. Now You've Got Something To Die For, Omerta, Hourglass, and Blood of the Scribe (a personal favorite) spoke highly of Richmond's own. Masterful in their abilities, Lamb of God were exemplary in breathing new life into cemented perfection throughout stellar production and even greater showmanship. May Ashes forever live on.
Lose yourself to photos of the performance below, and experience the 20th Anniversary Edition of Ashes Of The Wake now via Epic Records and Legacy Recordings, which features exquisite remixes by Justin K. Broadrick (Godflesh) and HEALTH, and live renditions.
Lamb of God Photo Gallery
