» Blog Archive Review: BlackDiamondSkye at Madison Square Garden -
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When Alice In Chains, Deftones, and Mastodon, 3 of the massive forces in heavy metal today announced the BlackDiamondSkye tour in support each of their recent releases, I knew this was going to be one awesome show. After catching the stop at Madison Square Garden last night, this ranks as one of the best tours of the year.
If you’ve been following my posts, then you know I saw AIC earlier this year. Obviously, I was there for them but also the Deftones whom I’ve been waiting to see on tour again since their 2007 tour in support of “Saturday Night Wrist.” As for Mastodon, I’m not a fan of their stuff so I only caught the last few minutes of their set, but they sounded pretty good. I’ve seen them with a few other tours and they put on a decent show.
When the Deftones took the stage, the Garden erupted. A huge pit broke out on the floor and anybody that had a seat promptly got out of it and was headbanging as if it would save their life. My excitement got the best of me and I’m suffering through a small case of whiplash. Their set opened with “Rocket Skates” from “Diamond Eyes” and then launched into a trio of songs from “Around the Fur”, the title track, “Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)” and “My Own Sumer (Shove It).” Chino sounded fantastic and looks to be in rather good shape as well, he’s slimmed down significantly from the bulky size he was sporting a few years ago. The Deftones were on point and kicked some serious ass. Their set closed with a trio from “Adrenaline”; “Nosebleed”, “Engine No. 9” and “7 Words.” As they left the stage the crowd was screaming for more but they had to make way for Alice In Chains.
Jerry and co took the stage to an already rabid crowd just barely recovered from the Deftones set. It was a tough act to follow but being the veterans they are, they can stand up against any test of their ability. With a stage set-up that included multiple video screens, and a walkway around and over Sean’s drums, Alice In Chains were ready to bring the house down. Kicking off with “Them Bones” and “Dam That River” they had the crowd blown away only 10 minutes into their set. Only 4 songs from “Black Gives Way To Blue” graced the set, “Check My Brain”, “Your Decision”, “Acid Bubble”, and “Lesson Learned.” William and Jerry’s voices still sounded incredible even after being on tour for the better part of the last year. They still stand tall as the Kings of Grunge and New York experienced it firsthand. The main set ended with the classic “Rooster” and the encore was amazing staring off with “Love, Hate, Love”, which was the best song on their set – William absolutely nailed the vocals, he sounded like was channeling Layne’s spirit. The encore was rounded out by “Man In The Box” and “Would?” and if they had been allowed they could have easily kept going and not lost the crowd one bit. The end of their set was punctuated by the band throwing handfuls of guitar picks to the crowd.
This was an absolutely amazing night of metal and a tour fully worth checking out. If BlackDiamondSkye is gracing your town with a visit, get out there and see it. If not, get in your car and travel to the closest show to you, you will not be disappointed.
Alice In Chains Setlist:
1. Them Bones
2. Dam That River
3. Rain When I Die
4. Again
5. Check My Brain
6. Your Decision
7. No Excuses
8. Down in a Hole
9. Grind
10. We Die Young
11. Acid Bubble
12. Lesson Learned
13. Rooster
Encore:
14. Love, Hate, Love
15. Man in the Box
16. Would?

Deftones Setlist:
1. Rocket Skates
2. Around the Fur
3. Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)
4. My Own Summer (Shove It)
5. Diamond Eyes
6. You’ve Seen The Butcher
7. Sextape
8. Passenger
9. Change (In the House of Flies)
10. Nosebleed
11. Engine No.9
12. 7 Words

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