Supporting acts: COAL CHAMBER, GWAR, NONPOINT, BUTCHER BABIES
Venue: Ruoff Music Center 08-08-2023
To simply say that Mudvayne is a heavy metal group is an understatement. Originating in Peoria, Illinois in 1996, Mudvayne is renowned for their daring sonic exploration, distinctive face and body paint, as well as masks and uniforms. Their global record sales surpass the six million mark, with a notable three million copies finding homes within the United States.
Chad Gray of MUDVAYNE at Ruoff Music Center 08-08-2023 ©JohnGeiger
The anticipation and time waiting for the main event were filled with some extraordinary acts, and that is putting it lightly. To break it down, the best shows of the evening were Mudvayne, and the first band in the lineup, Butcher Babies.
Carla Harvey and Heidi Shepherd of BUTCHER BABIES at Ruoff Music Center 08-08-2023 ©JohnGeiger
Backed by their male band, Butcher Babies Heidi Shepherd and Carla Harvey took control of the stage with such deep guttural command, that I really had to do a double take to see that it was actually a live performance. Those women had so much kick-ass raw energy. A crowd-pleaser with great songs that I witnessed audience members singing well after they were off stage.
Carla Harvey of BUTCHER BABIES at Ruoff Music Center 08-08-2023 ©JohnGeiger
Heidi Shepherd of BUTCHER BABIES at Ruoff Music Center 08-08-2023 ©JohnGeiger
For me, Butcher Babies were the surprise of the night, and a must-see if they are in your area.
Next up was Nonpoint, a “most excellent” heavy-metal band with vocalist Elias Soriano, who put on a great performance along with the rest of the band. Another band that won’t disappoint if you spend your money on them.
Elias Sorriano of NONPOINT at Ruoff Music Center 08-08-2023 ©JohnGeiger
Sandwiched in the middle was a band that I’d heard about decades ago and thought would be entertaining to see - GWAR. GWAR is a band with completely over-the-top theatrics including grotesque outfits and masks based on space and warriors from other planets in science fiction stories.
GWAR at Ruoff Music Center 08-08-2023 ©JohnGeiger
They use very extreme humor that involves violence, sex, and scatological humor mixed with jokes about society and politics. Notoriously acting out violent scenes on stage including spraying the crowd with fake blood, urine, and semen, the audience just loved it. Unfortunately, they were my least favorite out of the five. Somebody has to be, right?
After they cleaned up the gooey-wet mess left by GWAR, Coal Chamber put on an ear-ripping performance with hard-hitting songs and an energetic stage performance.
I knew I was at a hard-core nu-metal-punk show when engaging and charismatic vocalist Dez Fafara gave me the finger twice. Exciting to witness both audibly and visually, Coal Chamber stands out as yet another formidable band deserving of attention.
Dez Fafara of COAL CHAMBER at Ruoff Music Center 08-08-2023
After four bands, it was time for the main event. I was fortunate enough to have seen Mudvayne last year at Ruoff, so I knew it would be a treat.
The atmosphere was charged with excitement from the audience before the curtain dropped. I even recognized some people in the front row who were in that same place last year!
Chad Gray of MUDVAYNE waiting for the curtian to drop at Ruoff Music Center 08-08-2023
From the side, I caught a glimpse of frontman Chad Gray waiting in the wings. Dressed in his deranged and damaged clown costume standing behind the curtain, it was creepy and serene at the same time.
The band started with a punching drive of music and as the curtain dropped, Gray unleashed a wrath of power and vocal fury onto the audience with their song “Not Falling”. He delighted their devoted rabid fans by jumping onto the crowd barricade and interacting with and allowing the audience to be a part of the show.
Crowd surfing at the MUDVAYNE concert - Ruoff Music Center 08-08-2023 ©JohnGeiger
Transitioning between heavy riffs and melodic passages, Mudvayne seamlessly integrates complex meters and polyrhythms into their music. In my opinion, Mudvayne's musicianship is truly remarkable, showcasing a level of talent that sets them apart.
Throughout the show, Mudvayne consistently pounded out rhythms and harmonies, crafting compositions that challenge conventional norms.
Chad Gray and Greg Tribbett of MUDVAYNE at Ruoff Music Center 08-08-2023 ©JohnGeiger
Despite the crazy clown get-up, Gray displayed that he and the band are human and have a heart. At one point, he spoke to the audience asking them to take a deep breath and then let out the biggest scream they could. He told them that if they do that every day it will help them relieve some stress.
Chad Gray of MUDVAYNE at Ruoff Music Center 08-08-2023 ©JohnGeiger
Whether it's the syncopated rhythms of the drums or the interplay between the guitars and bass, Mudvayne's musical complexity adds depth and richness to their sound, making each listening experience a journey of discovery.
Chad Gray of MUDVAYNE at Ruoff Music Center 08-08-2023 ©JohnGeiger
Critically acclaimed by other musicians, Mudvayne's exceptional musicianship is firmly rooted in their ability to captivate audiences with their raw energy, their masterful manipulation of musical intricacies, and at the center of it, in some sort of way, warmth and kindness.
Not Falling
Under My Skin
Internal Primates Forever
World So Cold
A New Game
Severed
Death Blooms
Fish Out of Water
Dull Boy
Determined
Nothing to Gein
Dig
Happy?