Rising Sun Meets Metalocalypse: A Night with BABYMETAL & DETHKLOK in Nashville
Nashville, September 5th: At the Nashville Municipal Auditorium, a concoction of roaring guitars, pulsating drums, and vocals that either sent shivers down your spine or made you want to headbang, came alive. The amalgamation of BABYMETAL’s pop-metal melodies, DETHKLOK’s ruthless aggression, and Jason Richardson’s intricate guitar work, created an evening that’s going to be hard for Nashville to forget.
Amidst the electrifying atmosphere, Jason Richardson took the stage as the evening’s opener. Having etched his name in metal’s annals with both Born of Osiris and Chelsea Grin, the man is no stranger to spotlight. Yet, tonight felt unique. As he weaved his way through tracks, it became evident how his solo journey has been a melting pot of evolution and introspection. With selections from his debut album ‘I’ and the recent ‘II’, the crowd was treated to a fusion of technical mastery and raw emotion. His performance was punctuated with notes of collaborations, reminding everyone of his stints with bands like Polyphia and the indelible mark he left on songs such as “Aviator” and “Nasty”. There was no doubt – Richardson wasn’t just an opener, he was the herald of the monumental evening ahead.
The lights dimmed, and DETHKLOK’s iconic logo lit the stage. One by one, their hits from “Metalocalypse” filled the air, sending waves of excitement through the crowd. Classics like “Duncan Hills Coffee Jingle” and “Murmaider” had fans screaming every word. But when “I Ejaculate Fire” began, the mosh pit turned wild. Then, a shift: their newest track, “SOS,” played, and you could feel the crowd’s curious energy. It was different, but in a good way. As the final notes of “Go Into the Water” echoed, it was clear – DETHKLOK still owned the night.
BABYMETAL, the stars from the Land of the Rising Sun, turned the venue into a surreal pop-metal realm. Their newest venture, “THE OTHER ONE”, was the star of their set. However, what took many by surprise was their visually stunning performance to “METALVERSE”, taking the audience on a trip to a virtual universe. Their theatrical attire, synchronized dance moves, and power-packed vocals created an atmosphere where pop met metal, and the two danced in harmony.
Amidst the backdrop of flashing lights and swirling smoke, a community flourished. Metalheads, clad in a sea of black, became one with the music. The camaraderie, evident. The roars, palpable.
As the evening drew to a close, one thing was clear: Nashville had witnessed history. An eclectic blend of metal sub-genres, united under one roof, creating memories, one chord at a time. If you were there, you’d know. If you weren’t, you’d wish you were. And for everyone, a silent promise – until we meet again on this headbanging journey!