Mudvayne's Psychotherapy Sessions Tour hit Indy hard on August 8th, with supporting acts Coal Chamber, GWAR, Nonpoint, and Butcher Babies in tow at Ruoff Music Center in Noblesville.
To simply say that Mudvayne is a heavy metal group is an understatement. Originating in Peoria, Illinois in 1996, Mudvayne is renowned for their daring sonic exploration, distinctive face and body paint, as well as masks and creative uniforms. Their global record sales surpass the six million mark, with a notable three million copies finding homes within the United States.
Over the course of the evening at Noblesville’s Ruoff Music Center, the anticipation and time waiting for the headlining act was filled with some extraordinary acts, and that is putting it lightly. One of the best sets of the evening was the first band in the lineup, Butcher Babies. Backed by their band, Butcher Babies singers Heidi Shepherd and Carla Harvey took control of the stage with such deep guttural command that I really had to do a double take to see that it was indeed a live performance. The women had so much kick-ass raw energy. The band was a crowd-pleaser with great songs that I witnessed audience members singing well after the band was off stage. For me, Butcher Babies were the surprise of the night, and a must-see for you if they are ever in your area. Pick up music by Butcher Babies from Indy CD & Vinyl HERE.
Next up was Nonpoint, a “most excellent” heavy-metal band with vocalist Elias Soriano, who put on a great performance along with the rest of the band. Nonpoint is yet another fantastic live group that won’t disappoint if you spend your money on tickets. Pick up music by Nonpoint from Indy CD & Vinyl HERE.
Sandwiched in the middle was a band that I’d heard about decades ago and thought would be entertaining to see - GWAR. GWAR is a band with completely over-the-top theatrics including grotesque outfits and masks based on space and warriors from other planets in science fiction stories. They use very extreme humor that involves violence, sex, and scatological humor mixed with jokes about society and politics. Notoriously acting out violent scenes on stage including spraying the crowd with fake blood, urine, and semen, the audience just loved it. Pick up music by GWAR from Indy CD & Vinyl HERE.
After they cleaned up the gooey-wet mess left by GWAR, Coal Chamber put on an ear-ripping performance with hard-hitting songs and an energetic stage performance. I knew I was at a hard-core nu-metal show when engaging and charismatic vocalist Dez Fafara gave me the finger. Twice. An exciting group to witness both audibly and visually, Coal Chamber stands out as yet another formidable band deserving of attention. Pick up music by Coal Chamber from Indy CD & Vinyl HERE.
After four supporting bands, it was time for the main event. I was fortunate enough to have seen Mudvayne last year at Ruoff Music Center, so I knew it would be a treat. The atmosphere was charged with excitement from the audience before the curtain dropped. From the side, I caught a glimpse of frontman Chad Gray waiting in the wings, dressed in his deranged and damaged clown costume. Standing behind the curtain in his getup was creepy and serene at the same time.
After taking the stage the band started with a punching drive of music, and as the curtain dropped Gray unleashed a wrath of power and vocal fury onto the audience with their song “Not Falling.” He delighted the devoted and rabid fans by jumping onto the crowd barricade and interacting with and allowing the audience to be a part of the show. Transitioning between heavy riffs and melodic passages, Mudvayne seamlessly integrated complex meters and polyrhythms into their songs. In my opinion, Mudvayne's musicianship is truly remarkable, showcasing a level of talent that sets them apart from other nu-metal acts. Throughout the show, Mudvayne consistently pounded out rhythms and harmonies, crafting compositions that challenge conventional norms.
Despite the crazy clown get-up, Gray displayed that he and the band are human and have a heart. At one point, he spoke to the audience asking them to take a deep breath and then let out the biggest scream they could. He told them that if they do that every day it will help them relieve some stress. Whether it's the syncopated rhythms of the drums or the interplay between the guitars and bass, Mudvayne's musical complexity adds depth and richness to their sound, making each listening experience a journey of discovery. Critically acclaimed by other musicians, Mudvayne's exceptional musicianship is firmly rooted in their ability to captivate audiences with their raw energy, their masterful manipulation of musical intricacies, and at the center of it, in some sort of way, warmth and kindness. Pick up music by Mudvayne from Indy CD & Vinyl HERE.
Mudvayne Setlist: Not Falling / Under My Skin / Internal Primates Forever / World So Cold / A New Game / Severed Death Blooms / Fish Out of Water / Dull Boy / Determined / Nothing to Gein / Dig / Happy?
Photos and Review by John Geiger for Indy CD & Vinyl
John@JohnGeiger.com
Check out the full photo gallery:
