(PCM) For the first few years it seemed like Monster Energy’s Carolina Rebellion was plagued with problems, especially with last year’s Sunday rain-out/cancellation which created quite an uproar among attendees, however this year Mother Nature was in full cooperation and Carolina Rebellion finally got to shine! The weather was the perfect, the bands were amazing, and the rock n’ roll spirit was alive and well!
In our three years of covering the festival held at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, NC , we have never seen so many people in attendance. We are told that attendance this year for the weekend was over 60,000 and festival organizers did a tremendous job of making sure that everything went off without a hitch.
Saturday, May 3rd, day one of Carolina Rebellion featured performances from Truckfighters (interview here), Trivium, Adelitas Way(interview here), Devour The Day, Black Stone Cherry (interview here), Black Label Society, Kyng(interview here), Killswitch Engage, Anthrax, Thousand Foot Krutch (interview here), Seether(interview here), Volbeat (interview here), Fozzy, Rob Zombie and Avenged Sevenfold.
Sunday, May 4th, day two of Carolina Rebellion featured performances from Gemini Syndrome (interview here), Nothing More(interview here), Hellyeah (interview here),Twelve Foot Ninja,Fuel (interview here), Theory Of A Deadman (interview here), Redlight King, Alter Bridge, A Day To Remember, Memphis May Fire,Staind, 311, Five Finger Death Punch and Kid Rock.
Stay tuned to PCM/Unskinnypop.com for our live on-site interviews with Seether, Fuel, Volbeat, Theory Of A Deadman and more coming soon!
What We Love Day One, Saturday, May 3rd:
- Despite being the very first band on-stage Truckfighters were just the alarm clock that everyone needed to wake-up and kick Carolina Rebellion off to an amazing start. The band, who hail from Sweden, are currently touring behind their latest album release “Universe” and if you haven’t had a chance to check it out yet, I give it an incredibly high recommendation. Look for Truckfighters to continue to make a huge splash in the States throughout this summer. I can’t wait to see them again at Rock On The Range!
- I was ridiculously excited to see Adelita’s Way back on the summer festival circuit, as I feel like they had been missing for a year or so! Once they took to the stage it was as if no time had passed at all. Vocalist, Rick DeJesus just oozes intensity and passion for music and without a doubt the band puts on one of the most wildly entertaining and engaging live performances. Be sure to check out the band’s new single “Dog on a Leash” and stayed tuned for a new album to be released later this summer…I can’t wait!
- Black Label Society are currently touring behind their recently released stellar new album “Catacombs of the Black Vatican” and tore up the stage during their performance at Carolina Rebellion. Front man Zakk Wylde and the rest of the band put together one of the loudest and most aggressive performances of the day. I was loving every moment from start to finish.
- Watching Kyng perform is always a breath of fresh air! The band is just that good and it is truly time that people began to take notice, which I feel is finally happening. Throwing in a cover of “Hot For Teacher” was also a refreshing treat. Kyng are touring behind their new album “Burn The Serum” which was released in early April and are a band definitely worth checking out at the rest of the festivals that they will be appearing at throughout this summer.
- For me, seeing both Seether and Volbeat perform live never gets old. I was thrilled to hear a new song or two sneaking its’ way into Seether’s Carolina Rebellion set. Seether’s new album is one that I absolutely can’t wait to get my hands on when it is released later this summer. Volbeat threw me a few surprises with Trivium’s Corey Beaulieu and Matt Heafy joined them on stage to perform “Evelyn” and then guitarist Rob Caggiano’s former bandmates from Anthrax (Scott Ian, Frank Bello, and Charlie Benante) joined them for another song. The look of surprise on Caggiano’s face was adorable and it was a fantastic festival moment.
- I adore Rob Zombie, he and the rest of the band seemingly never run out of energy and charisma! Their stage presence is intoxicating and Zombie’s incredible sense of humor shines throughout their performance. I need to learn to master some of his dance moves…they are fantastic!
- Avenged Sevenfold closed out Saturday night and did so with a literal bang. This is the band’s second appearance at Carolina Rebellion and this year they truly outdid themselves. Amid searing guitar riffs and copious amounts pyro, AX7 plowed through their catalog of hit songs including newer tracks “Shepherd of Fire” and “Hail To The King” alongside fan favorites such as “Nightmare”, “Fiction” and of course “Bat Country”.
What We Loved Day Two, Sunday, May 4th:
- Gemini Syndrome kicked off the show with an early set on the Jagermeister Stage! Again, they were the perfect band to wake-up the crowd who were just beginning to trudge their way into the festival. Gemini Syndrome are touring behind their amazing album “Lux” and their music is truly some of the most powerful and thought-provoking that I have heard in quite some time.
- Hellyeah was another band that truly got the crowd alive and moving. Never a band to disappoint live, Hellyeah delivered a set that was chock full of raw aggression and intensity and it was a true treat to watch them live. The band’s new album “Blood For Blood” captures much of the same intensity as watching them perform live, and it certainly worth checking out to show this amazing band some support.
- I had my doubts as to whether or not I was going to enjoy Fuel’s performance on Sunday afternoon, however the band did more than exceed my expectations. The band played several songs of their hit nineties album “Sunburn”, however new material of the band’s latest album “Puppet Strings” appeared to be going over with the crowd just as well!
- 311 may have been the odd band out on this year’s Carolina Rebellion line-up which features mostly hard rock and metal, but they certainly held their own and put on one of the festivals very best performances. I was immediately taken back to my carefree days of high school jamming out to songs such as “All Mixed Up” and Down”. The bands performance was high energy and the four member drum solo was absolutely incredible.
- Five Finger Death Punch never cease to amaze me! The band has the ability to fill the listener with unbridled aggression and yet also tap into a more emotional head space, at times nearly bringing people to tears. It is an all-around moving experience and one that is not easily forgotten. Five Finger Death Punch succeed on making their listeners feel the music and provide the concert attendee with a performance that showcases they band’s amazing showmanship.
- I was disappointed when I witnessed many people heading for the gates after Five Finger Death Punch’s performance, because they truly do not know what they were missing with a performance by Kid Rock. He is one of the most entertaining performers and along with his band, The Twisted Truckers, they always put on a memorable performance. Kid Rock flawlessly blends together rock, hip-hop, country, and soul creating one of the most diverse and genre-spanning performances on the bill. Shame on those that missed it, as Kid Rock brings a helluva good time where ever he is performing. It was the perfect way to close out an incredible weekend of rock!
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