Review & Photos by Greg Hamil
The Back Waters Stage at the Q Casino in Dubuque, IA is an outdoor venue nestled along the Mississippi River. On September 11, it transformed into a cathedral of chaos. Massive LED screens flanked the state, while fog machines and a lighting rig pulsed like a living organism.
The show marked the kickoff of Mudvayne’s L.D. 50 25th Anniversary Tour, with support from Static X and Vended. The crowd was a mix of longtime fans, metalhead, and curious locals. The mood was electric with anticipation as all three bands had local ties to the area making this almost a hometown show for all.
Vended was the first to step on the stage. The energy was palpable. Griffin Taylor (son of Slipknot’s Cory Taylor) commanded the crowd with a presence that felt both familiar and fresh.
Simon Crahan’s (son of Shawn “Clown” Crahan of Slipknot) drumming was a revelation. His style was thunderous and precise, blending rhythms and blast beats giving each track a visceral heartbeat.
Guitarists Cole Espeland and Connor Grodzicki were locked in. Their riffs sliced through the night air with surgical aggression. Their interplay was impressive, weaving melodic leads into the otherwise brutal landscape. Jeremia Pugh’s bass lines added depth, anchoring the chaos with a rumbling foundation.
Each song was delivered with ferocity, but “Asylum” stood out as a defining moment. Griffin’s guttural screams and the band’s synchronized breakdowns brought the crowd into a frenzy. “Nihilism” delivered a haunting intro that built into a wall of sound, leaving no doubt that Vended is something truly formidable.
The Dubuque crowd was electric as from the first note, the pit erupted into a mass of bodies, fists, and sweat. Some were there because of Vended’s connection to Slipknot, while others were because of the band’s rising reputation.
During “Am I The Only One,” Griffin paused to address the crowd. The emotion in his voice was clear: “We’re not here because of our name. We’re here because of you. You make this real!” The response was deafening.
Vended’s performance in Dubuque was just a tour stop. It was a statement. They are stepping out of the shadows of their lineage and into the spotlight with confidence. Their future is bright!
Vended Setlist: Nihilism – Ded to Me – Am I the Only One – The Far Side – Pitiful – Asylum
Many fans in attendance were there for Static X. They did not disappoint as they stormed the stage with “Bled for Days” followed by “Wisconsin Death Trip”. It was clear that this wasn’t going to be just a show. It was going to be a ritual. Xer0 was in full cybernetic attire, his mask glowing under the strobes while channeling Wayne Static’s energy with uncanny precision. His stage presence was magnetic, and his vocal deliver was on point.
Tony Campos (bass) was a force to be reckoned with. His low-end grooves rattle the ground. Koichi Fukuda shredded his guitar alternating between blistering riffs and easy synth textures. Ken Jay was relentless on the drum kit, driving the set with mechanical fury.
The set progressed with songs including, “Terminator Oscillator”, “Love Dump”, “Black & White”, and “Get to the Gone”. Campos and Fukuda criss-crossed the stage giving equal time to both sides. Fukuda encouraged the crowd to jump up and down, while Campos backed up Xer0 with his guttural growls.
During “Love Dump”, a fan near the front held up a sign saying, “Evil Disco Forever,” prompting Xer0 to point and nod in approval. The mosh pit was intense but respectful. Fans helped each other up, shared water, and screamed lyrics in unison. ‘
The energy was palpable. Every breakdown, chorus, and scream was met with equally loud screams from the audience and devil horns raised high. The production was top notch with laser lights, synchronized visuals, and a sound that crystal clear. It wasn’t just a concert, it was an immersive experience.
The highlight of the show came was a tribute to Wayne Static. Video and still images of the frontman played across the screens bringing the crowd to a stunned silence. It was a deeply emotional moment. Fans help up lighters and phones in reverence as a holographic image of Wayne appeared behind the band. Some of the long-time fans were brought to tears at the spectacle.
Static X’s show wasn’t just a nostalgic throwback. It reaffirmed their place in metal history. They have managed to evolve their sound, while honoring their roots. Their live shows are still a force to be reckoned with.
Static X Setlist: Bled for Days – Wisconsin Death Trip – Fix – Terminator Oscillator – Sweat of the Bud – Love Dump – I Am – The Trance Is the Motion – Black and White – Get to the Gone – Dirthouse – Cold – I’m With Stupid – Push It
Mudvayne formed in Peoria, IL in 1996 emerging from the underground with a sound that fused progressive metal, mathcore, and nu-metal into a cocktail of pure aggression. Being from Peoria, which was just a couple hours down the road from Dubuque, made this a homecoming of sorts.
As mentioned before, this was the kickoff of Mudvayne’s L.D. 50 25th Anniversary Tour. The energy was thick in the air as the crowd waited in anticipation of this first show. But as the lights dimmed, the energy shifted from excitement to reverence.
Surely, this was going to be an exciting but emotional night for the band. Excitement for the launch of the tour, but emotional due to the absence of long-time guitarist Greg Tribbet who is taking time off due to the passing of his wife Debbie. Touring guitarist Marcus Rafferty would fill in admirably, delivering the crushing riffs and dissonant textures that defined the band’s sounds.
Mudvayne’s entrance was amazing. As “Monolith” began over the speakers, the stage came to life with deep red lights and fog rolling across. The band bounded onto the stage erupting into “Dig”. Chad Gray burst onto the stage, his face painted in a new design. He screamed “BR-BR-BR-BR-BR-BREAK!” which sent the crowd into a frenzy.
Chad Gray was a revelation. His vocals were controlled, shifting from guttural growls to haunting melodies with ease. He floated around the stage like man possessed, often kneeling at the edge of the stage to scream into the faces of the fans. At one point he even jumped down and got on the barricade to get closer to the crowd. The fans held him up as he laid back into the crowd as he sang.
Ryan Martinie’s bass defied logic. Slapping, tapping, and grooving with a precision that made the instrument sound like a living entity. During “Nothing to Gein” his solo brought the crowd to a stunned silence.
Matthew McDonough’s drumming was the heartbeat of the set. He was precise yet primal. A masterclass in controlled chaos. His performance on “Dull Boy” was particularly mesmerizing.
Before “Death Blooms”, Chad Gray dedicated the song to those lost in the pandemic and personal tragedies. Phones lit up the venue while the crowd sang every word. Some with tears in their eyes.
“Hurt People Hurt People” made it’s live debut, feeling like a statement. It’s hard grooving anthem of trauma and resilience shows that Mudvayne isn’t just looking back; they are evolving.
Mudvayne’s performance was more than just nostalgia. Their decision to perform nearly the whole L.D. 50 album was a bold statement. It honored the album’s complexity and emotional depth.
Mudvayne’s set at the Back Waters Stage was a triumph. Whether you were a die-hard fan or a newcomer, the show delivered on every level. From the primal scream of “Dig” to the haunting sound of “Death Blooms”, Mudvayne proved that they’re not just back. They are reborn!
Mudvayne Setlist: Dig – Internal Primates Forever – -1 – Severed – Death Blooms/Golden Ratio – Cradle – Under My Skin – Prod – Nothing to Gein – Hurt People Hurt People – Dull Boy – World So Cold – Determined – Not Falling – Happy?
