Sevendust

with Clutch and Limp Bizkit

House of Blues, Orlando • 4.1.98

Matt Favero

If you couldn’t tell from the energy in the crowd that this show was going to go off, then you shouldn’t be there. There’s the simple fact that Limp Bizkit, Florida’s own rap-core legend, has enjoyed a recent underground rise to fame. Then there was Clutch, which has an unusual but surprisingly large fan base that seems take on the militant persona that the band’s logo reflects. To top it off, you have Sevendust, a five-piece metal band from Atlanta whose debut album has spent on unprecedented 52 straight weeks at the top of the Heavy Rock/Metal radio charts. It was obvious that all the weak-hearted should leave the floor for the safe confines of the raised areas and upper levels.

Kicking things off, Sevendust marched onstage and just flat out ripped shit up. They delivered a full-on metal assault, which sent the crowd into an immediate frenzy. Without a doubt, Sevendust was the most impressive band I have ever witnessed to open up a show. It appeared that not much of the crowd was familiar with the band, but they soon received the full-on experience. Playing with intense energy, the crowd was quick to accept the fierce style.

According to Sevendust guitarist John Connelly, Flying Jay’s Golden Skillet is the band’s favorite restaurant stop while on the road. Is this where they get all of their energy? I don’t know, but if you’re in a band, it might not be a bad idea to start eating there.

After Sevendust’s full-on operation of destruction, Clutch lackadaisically walked onto the stage and opened with a song that seemed to be 12 minutes long. The hardcore Clutch fans were stoked, while the rest of the crowd seemed let down after Sevendust’s performance. Clutch played five-to-six minute-plus songs that were filled with repetition and short stints of their lead singer walking off stage for two to three minute periods of time. If I could describe their music and stage presence in one word, it would be: UNIMPRESSIVE.

When Clutch was finally over, it was the time everyone had been waiting for. It was time for Limp Bizkit. A black curtain covered the stage throughout the duration of their first song, which was a Doors cover. When they finished their fine Jim Morrison imitation, the curtain was quickly pulled away to reveal a camo cargo net which left the stage still not yet visible. LB quickly broke out into a new song, which was complete with lead singer Fred, as well as the guitar player Lucy and bass player Sam, sticking their heads through the holes cut into the camo netting.

After the new song, Limp Bizkit was ready to get down to business and the camo netting came down. Then they delivered an electro-charged hour and 45 minute set, making sure not to leave out a Jane’s Addiction cover, or DJ Lethal’s old band House of Pain’s song “Jump Around.” LB rounded out their set with Fred calling all the girlies on stage and then breaking into the always-memorable rendition of George Michael’s “Faith.” During the chorus, the girls erupted into a pit onstage, which was complete with some slight lesbian action and a fifteen-year-old girl flashing her goods to the crowd.

As quickly as it had begun, it had ended and Limp Bizkit walked off stage as the crowd insanely chanted for more. ◼