By Scott Mayberry – Static-X punched Cleveland in the teeth last night, bringing their signature industrial metal sound to a packed audience of die-hard fans. The band has continued to sell out venue after venue on its Rise of the Machine U.S. Tour, with the Cleveland House of Blues show being no exception.
As the elaborate set of video monitors started to flicker on, frontman Xer0 appeared on a platform above the crowd, showing off his new terminator cyberpunk mask and costume – a literal rise of the machine. Kicking off their set with “Permanence” and “This is Not” from their Machine album, Static-X wasted no time in revving up the audience with their heavy, pounding beats and frenzied guitar riffs. Xer0’s intense vocals were a perfect match for the band’s raw, edgy sound, and his charismatic stage presence kept the audience on their feet and pumping their fists.
The band played a mix of old favorites and new material, showcasing their versatility and evolution as a band. Crowd favorites like “Cold” and “Bled for Days” had everyone chanting along. Drummer Ken Jay’s powerhouse beats and Tony Campos’ thunderous bass lines provided a solid foundation for the band’s intense sound. Campos did double-duty, also playing bass for Fear Factory who opened for Static-X. Guitarist Koichi Fukuda did nothing to calm the crowd, as his energy was matched by the mosh pit.
The band closed out the night with an explosive encore of “Push It” and “I’m with Stupid,” leaving the audience sweaty, exhausted, bruised and thoroughly satisfied. Static-X’s performance at the Cleveland House of Blues was a testament to their enduring legacy and their ability to keep fans headbanging and moshing for years to come.
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