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Rating: The Independent Days returns... and what a comeback, folks! Despite the afternoon bands being far from unforgettable, the headliners deliver an evening of pure emotion! But let's take it step by step.
Punctually, the first to hit the stage are Petrol by Dan Solo. The band offers a very impactful and visceral stoner, more than a good start. Next up are the Billy Talent, a hardcore quartet whose live act strength largely came from the charisma and the compelling energy of the singer. Good vibes are felt from the crowd, it's fun but I didn't see anyone moshing...strange.
The Trail Of Dead put on a performance neither harmful nor praiseworthy... Very energetic, but there were also many too slow sections, they fail to engage the audience as they should. In some tracks, the band played using two drum sets, but truthfully I didn't see the necessity since the two drummers were more or less executing the same things. Regarding the Hot Hot Heat, I'd rather not comment, I honestly consider them the worst band of the day: long and boring concert, no catchy song, zero sound power and especially a music genre that mimics various bands like the Strokes, Editors, without ever being personal. Flunked.
The Maximo Park close the supporter section with a great show. The band now shows they have good experience and fill the entire arena with energy and fun. And as they leave the stage, everyone is eagerly anticipating the arrival of the two bands that marked the 90s.
Tension is palpable, and perfectly on time Danny, Maynard, Justin, and Adam take the stage greeted by a liberating roar from the crowd. The Tool start the concert. Oops, I meant lysergic show... Because that's what it is. Screens, lights, lasers, sabbath music, and a crowd, their fans (numerous) who venerate them almost as if they were gods. With some songs from "10,000 Days" and some old hits (none from "Undertow", and "Aenima" is also missing) they offer around seventy minutes where you are swept up, absorbed, engulfed by the gloomy atmosphere created by the quartet. Maynard seems possessed, he seems like an alien with the way he moves, striking poses and tribal movements to throw... A god indeed... Unfortunately, the voice is poorly amplified and often overwhelmed by the guys singing in the crowd (including me). The emotional climax of the show is reached with the attack of the final part of "Rosetta Stoned", when an enormous cloth depicting the psychedelic artwork of "10,000 Days" is unveiled. During the performance of "Lateralus", even the two drummers from Trail Of Dead join on stage. Nothing transcendental, they play their percussion excellently, but Danny is truly on another planet in comparison. Maynard shows the two guests scorecards (6, 8) and to Danny a nice 2! He's also funny! In the end, the concert satisfies everyone, and everyone prepares for the real event.
The NIN take the stage to the notes of the intro of "Year Zero", starting an unforgettable concert. Sound power, execution precision, emotional involvement... Twenty years of rock spill from Trent Reznor's mouth. They play them all, from "Only" to "Gave Up", from "Terrible Lie" to "Closer". Noteworthy is the interlude where they played in front of a screen, really beautiful. The five musicians shine for an hour and a half, perfect, but it's Trent who is the star. Really a great entertainer, he seems like the Freddie Mercury of industrial. On the notes of "Head Like A Hole" they bid farewell to the arena, not before violently smashing 60 percent of the equipment on stage. Mr. Trent returns, alone, and in front of a starry backdrop, sings "Hurt". I was moved as never before in my life by a concert. To see an arena full of thousands of people, metalheads (and not) of all ages who were huddling together moved in religious silence, listening to the sweetest yet most violent rockstar at the same time... An indescribable emotion.
We head home truly satisfied. Everyone is aware they witnessed something truly unique: three hours to never forget, three hours that make you understand the true essence of music, of rock, of how it can change your life. Thank you, Maynard, thank you, Trent.
PS: Sorry for the length, but it was necessary.
PPS: I mainly went there for Tool, but the NIN (whom I love a bit) less than Tool put on an unforgettable concert... I hope this is evident from the review.
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