AFTERSHOCK FESTIVAL 2021
DISCOVERY PARK, SACRAMENTO
THURSDAY
Aftershock 2021 has been delayed, extended to four days, and suffered multiple band cancellations, including headliners Limp Bizkit, My Chemical Romance, and Faith No More being replaced by The Original Misfits and Cypress Hill. However, it’s also been two years since many of these bands performed and most fans – who are required to show vaccination proof or COVID tests to enter – last enjoyed live music, so the park is buzzing with a shared wish to have an unbeatable time.
The first of three Bay Area thrash metal bands to play this Thursday is , who storm and to a sea of horns, before reinforce the calibre of their songwriting and Bryan Garris’s powerful presence with tracks like . As the sky darkens, lights circle before appear and fans air guitar along to and celebrate the return of drummer Tom Hunting, who recently beat cancer. take advantage of the larger stage with wild pacing and smoke, and Joey’s vocals sound sharp for . Scott Ian also honours the sad loss of music industry staple, former Fear Factory manager Scott Koenig, before return us to a valley of horns and vertically held axes. sounds gloriously sleazy tonight. Headliners know how to make fans move regardless of their battle vest patches, delivering hit after hit powered by teasing transitions from DJ Lord, rhythmic flare from percussionist Eric Bobo, and B-Real and Sen Dog weaving through puffs of green smoke.
