- Jeff Miles
- Nov 18, 2022
- 3 min read
Omens Tour:
Lamb of God, Killswitch Engage, Baroness, Suicide Silence
The Roxy, Atlanta, GA September 16, 2022
The Omens tour rolled into Atlanta Roxy’s Theatre Friday, September 16, bringing with it four of the heaviest bands around today.
Suicide Silence opened the show. Their aggressive deathcore sound riled up the crowd up early. They are not a band I am particularly familiar with, but it was an entertaining short set and many of the fans seemed just as excited to see them as the any of the other bands.
Next up was Baroness. Baroness is a band I have followed since their early days in Savannah, GA. They have undergone numerous lineup changes over the years, but vocalist/guitarist John Dyer Baizley has always anchored the band and the songwriting. Baroness has maintained the current rhythm section of bassist Nick Jost and drummer Sebastian Thomson for nearly a decade now and added lead guitarist Gina Gleason nearly five years ago providing the personnel stability Baizley needed to bring Baroness to new peaks in their career.
There were the occasional comments online and at the show that Baroness was an odd choice for this tour; having a much different and often less heavy sound than the other bands. Sure, they have evolved from their sludgy Georgia roots to a more progressive sound, but true artists grow, and Baroness are true artists who continue to develop as songwriters and explore a multitude of sounds. That being said, Baroness can and will play with anyone and hold their own. With five full albums under their belts, they have a deep catalog to choose their setlist from. Knowing the rabid metal audience they would have on the Omens Tour, Baroness ripped through a set of some of their heavier tunes including “The Sweetest Curse,” “Isak,” and “A Horse Called Golgotha, ” and no one was immune to the infectious big scream along choruses of “March to the Sea,” “Shock Me,” and “Take My Bones Away.” It shouldn’t go without saying that Baroness always appear to be having a great time and genuinely appreciative of being on any stage. You have to respect that.
Next up was Killswitch Engage. They are another band that I am not particularly familiar with other than their general sound. It’s not that I strongly disliked anything I’ve heard, but ultimately there just isn’t enough time to listen to every band. That being said, Killswitch put on a Hell of a live show. The front security suddenly became busy as the pit intensified and the crowd surfers began riding the tide toward the front of the stage. They are a band that would not mind seeing again.
Finally, Lamb of God took the stage. They were another band that never caught my attention until seeing them live on Slayer’s final tour four years ago. I was impressed by their performance enough to dig into their full catalog and have since become a fan. Opening with “Memento Mori” Lamb of God played fan favorites from their entire career including, “Walk with Me in Hell,” 11th Hour,” as well as songs from the new Omens album including “Nevermore” and the title track before closing with the crowd pleasing “Redneck.” Lamb of God inspires a passion among their fans that is second to none. The circle pit was churning for most of their ninety minute set and security was busy with a steady onslaught of crowdsurfers tumbling over the rails most of the night. It’s easy to forget that their career reaches back to the mid nineties. Their aggressiveness onstage in comparable to a young band with something to prove, maintaining their status as one the best live metal bands.
The Omens tour continues through October in the States before Heading to Europe to round out 2022. If you are in need a six hour metal onslaught of the senses, then catch this show!
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