The Ashes of Leviathan tour brought heavy metal titans Lamb of God and Mastodon to the Maine Savings Amphitheater, delivering an unforgettable night of relentless energy and raw power. With special guests Kerry King and Malevolence, the lineup promised an evening of heavy riffs, thundering drums, and powerful vocals – and it did not disappoint.
Opening the night was the British hardcore band Malevolence. The five-piece outfit, led by Alex Taylor on vocals, set the tone with their aggressive and energetic performance. They kicked things off with “Malicious Intent,” immediately grabbing the crowd’s attention. The setlist included fan favorites like “Life Sentence” and “Still Waters Run Deep,” showcasing Josh Baines’ blistering lead guitar work and Konan Hall’s solid rhythm guitar and co-lead vocals. Wilkie Robinson on bass and Charlie Thorpe on drums provided a crushing backbone that had the audience headbanging throughout. The highlight was “Keep Your Distance,” which had the crowd moshing and chanting along, leaving no doubt that Malevolence made a lasting impression.
Next up was the legendary Kerry King, best known as the guitarist of Slayer. For his new band, King enlisted some of the heaviest names in metal: vocalist Mark Osegueda (Death Angel), guitarist Phil Demmell (Machinehead, Vio-lence), Kyle Sanders on bass (Hellyeah), and Slayer drummer Paul Bostaph. The setlist was a brutal showcase of new material and Slayer classics. They opened with “Where I Reign,” followed by “Trophies of the Tyrant” and “Residue,” each track heavier than the last. The band tore through “Toxic,” “Idle Hands,” and “Shrapnel” with precision and intensity.
The highlight of the set was undoubtedly the Slayer covers, “Raining Blood” and “Black Magic,” which sent the crowd into a frenzy. They closed with “From Hell I Rise,” leaving the audience in awe of King’s relentless guitar work and the band’s formidable stage presence. Kerry King’s new band proved to be a powerhouse, delivering a set that satisfied long-time Slayer fans and new listeners alike.
Mastodon took the stage to perform their seminal album “Leviathan” in its entirety. The band’s lineup, unchanged since 2000, delivered a tight and immersive set. From the opening notes of “Blood and Thunder,” the crowd was swept away by the nautical themes and heavy riffs. Troy Sanders’ powerful bass lines and vocals, combined with Brent Hinds’ intricate guitar work and vocals, Bill Kelliher’s rhythm guitar, and Brann Dailor’s exceptional drumming and vocals, created a mesmerizing experience.
Highlights included the epic “Hearts Alive,” which had the audience captivated with its complex arrangements, and the crushing “Iron Tusk.”
Headlining the night was Lamb of God, performing their acclaimed album “Ashes of the Wake” in full. The anticipation was palpable as the band, consisting of John Campbell on bass, Randy Blythe on vocals, guitarists Mark Morton and Willie Adler, and drummer Art Cruz, launched into “Laid to Rest.” Blythe’s ferocious vocals and the twin guitar assault of Morton and Adler created a wall of sound that was both brutal and exhilarating.
Tracks like “Now You’ve Got Something to Die For” and “The Faded Line” had the crowd in a frenzy, while “Omerta” and “Blood of the Scribe” showcased the band’s technical prowess. The set culminated with “Remorse Is for the Dead,” followed by explosive renditions of “Walk With Me in Hell” and “Redneck” as an encore, ensuring the night ended on a high note.
The Maine Savings Amphitheater proved to be the perfect venue for this powerhouse lineup, with excellent acoustics and a vibrant atmosphere. The audience was fully engaged from start to finish, with mosh pits, crowd surfing, and a general sense of camaraderie among metal fans. Each band brought their A-game, delivering performances that will be remembered for years to come.
The Ashes of Leviathan tour is a must-see for any metal fan, offering a night of pure, unadulterated heavy metal from some of the genre’s finest.
