Sevendust ~ April 7, 2009 ~ Main St. Armory ~ Rochester, NY

Words by Brent Conley and Photos by Joe Koch

Sevendust was in Rochester as part of the Black Label Bash — featuring Zakk Wylde’s Black Label Society. Sevendust was the third band and they were ready to rock. They have become regular visitors to the Rochester area and have thus built a very loyal following. Sevendust fans are rabid and you can see how much that means to the musicians. After a few words to the crowd from vocalist, Lajon Witherspoon, the band cranked the volume to 11 and began its assault on the eager audience.

Guitarists John Connolly and Clint Lowery worked the stage well, slinging their axes through the metal onslaught. There were incredibly heavy notes coming from bassist Vincent Hornsby, who was trying to wake the dead or at least wake the drunken people at the back of the arena. However, even with all these great performances, Morgan Rose, the man behind the enormous drum kit, was the star of the show. It was amazing to see this maniac attack his drums.

For Sevendust fans who know every song and own every album, the whole show was great. However, to the somewhat older Black Label Society fans I could see the frustration build as the songs started to blend a bit.

I’m a tacit fan and have always appreciated Sevendust’s music and even though I can’t name 10 of their songs, I was really having a great time. I was somewhat disappointed by the tame mosh pits that formed directly in front of the stage, but that was not through lack of effort from the band. In a smaller venue, I think it would have been more intense and if everyone was there to see Sevendust, maybe kids would have been beating the shit out of each other properly.

Except for a cheesy salute to a couple of soldiers, Lajon’s banter between songs was interesting. As the lead singer, he is seen as the voice of the band and the pacesetter. He brought the emotion of the songs into action through his antics. Some of what he did was cliché. But what would a rock show be if the singer didn’t pump his fist and bang his head? It would be a letdown and I would feel cheated.

The real highlight of the show was watching Morgan Rose. I’ve seen some good drummers in my years but I can honestly say I’ve never seen one better than him. There was a moment in the show that stands out to me, that shows how great he is: The other four band members were standing on stage with their backs to the audience, watching Morgan play. Everyone’s eyes were on him as he kicked and pounded the drums into submission.

Sevendust has played all over the world for years. On our rainy night in April, in Rochester they gave it all they had. I suspect that’s how it always is at a Sevendust show.

For more info go to: www.sevendust.com