sevendust + drowning pool + digital summer + the flood - showbox market (seattle, WA; Mar 07, 2010

Although not sold out, the line to get into Sunday’s Showbox/Market show stretched around the block. People were there to see Sevendust for sure, but Drowning Pool and Digital Summer were also on the bill, and local band The Flood opened to about 500 early-birds, not bad for a 7:30 call time.

The Flood’s website says they were finishing up their debut album in August of ’09 with Sylvia Massy producing. Lead vocalist Chris Johnson worked the stage and audience under the mostly-red lights (a condition that would remain for all of the acts and produce some pretty awful photos), creating a haunting atmosphere when combined with the profound bass of Jeff Eason. Their self-titled intro song “Flood” has enough screaming to satisfy the hardcore fans, but the lyrics actually makes sense and musically, it’s definitely listenable. “Fairy Princess” is another song worth downloading, or try to get their audio player working properly on the website and take it for a test drive.

I had heard a little bit about Digital Summer, but nothing about their music. The name kinda sounds like a boy band, and I thought I would go get something to eat during their set. They surprised me with their opener “Just Run.”

Sounding as full-throated in the league of Three Days Grace’s Adam Gontier, Digital Summer’s lead-vocalist Kyle Winterstein (supported by his brother Ian on guitar) slammed the limits of the sound system during their set. Billed as a hard-rock band, they were right at home on this metal ticket. The music is fast and hard and the lyrics are gritty and occasionally emotional, but Winterstein carries tempo and pitch changes without hesitation. Add to that the fact that this Phoenix-based group are firefighters, paramedics, and teachers in their day jobs, I couldn’t wait to get to the merch booth to ask them when they were coming back. Unfortunately, it might be a while, but I’m on the mailing list for interviews and photos, so look for that.

Now, you know most of the crowd came for Drowning Pool and Sevendust, and both bands delivered in spectacular fashion. Photography was a bitch because the Showbox’s wooden floor bounces with the crowd and there was a LOT of that going on.

I’ve liked Drowning Pool since they were formed over 10 years ago, but hadn’t seen them since Ryan McCombs joined them as lead singer in ’05.

Starting the set with “Sinner,” the crowd was definitely with them. The band has an awesome live sound, and Ryan jumped and strutted to every possible part of the stage, blasting classics and new stuff with the same raw energy. He is a good match for Drowning Pool, but he also recognizes the love that fans (still) have for Williams. The closing song was the iconic “Bodies,” and McCombs paid a fitting tribute to the man who made the original so memorable.

When the lights went down and a low growl emanated from Clint Lowery’s guitar, the crowd knew it was time to rock. Opening with “Black” and then going right into the favorite “Driven,” Lajon Witherspoon displayed the kind of energy you would expect to see at the beginning of a tour, not in the last few weeks of one. Throughout the set he encouraged the crowd to join him singing, jumping and shouting as they happily obliged. Bassist Vince Hornsby and singer-guitarist John Connolly criss-crossed the stage, engaging the fans from the front barrier to the upper bar while drummer Morgan Rose kept up a scorching beat and rhythm. He is so fascinating to watch and his drum kit has so many components to it, including a synth that was very NIN-like in it’s effects.

About midway into the show, Lowery slowed it down to play the acoustic “Angel’s Son,” which was well-done and well-received. That was followed by the newly released single “Unraveling.” A mix of songs from albums, including “Pieces” from the “Saw II” soundtrack, made the night go by much faster than I would have wanted. I was in the middle of the crowd on the periphery of the pit, and I have to say that the mic balance was exceptional; none of the vocals were drowned out like you would expect with a loud band like this.

Sevendust had two encore songs on their setlist, but they also threw in some Pantera and Metallica just to keep the crowd standing in the aisles. They played over an hour and a half which was worth the price of admission alone.

It’s good to have Lowery back and the lineup is very satisfying. Too bad Drowning Pool drops off the tour after March 14th, but Digital Summer is up to the task of satisfying their fans. Sevendust is slated to go back into the studio for another album after this tour ends, which means we might get to see them again next year. Already, I can’t wait.

DOWNLOAD: Sevendust - Praise (MP3) or Follow us for more Sevendust MP3s (Twitter)

Sevendust review to your liking? You'll sweat:

Black Heart Procession + Bellini - Aladdin Theatre (Portland, OR; Nov. 13, 2009)

Marilyn Manson + Slayer - White River Amphitheater (Auburn, WA; July 14, 2009)

Sunny Day Real Estate + The Jealous Sound - Paramount Theatre (Seattle, WA; Oct. 16, 2009)

Voltaire + Adrian H & The Wounds + Legion Within - El Corazon (Seattle; Jan. 29 2010)