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Rating: According to what I myself wrote in the review of the DVD “Live & Murderous in Chicago”, my hopes of attending the Italian date of Papa Roach were really slim, but in life, everything can change if you just want it! And indeed, I was there at the Rainbow in Milan on Thursday, October 12, and I am happy about it because it was the best concert I have ever attended so far, even though I admit I am ridiculously biased.
A little preamble for those who were at the live show, just in case the song order isn't perfectly accurate in the description; I apologize, but almost a week later, everyone would forget something from memory! After a long journey by subway and a short “slice” walk, I reach the doors of the Rainbow, relatively populated, considering it's still half an hour until the opening performance of the supporting group, the Bangkok Five, who stepped in last minute to replace the “fugitives” Wicked Wisdom, an alternative rock band led by Jada Pinkett, the spouse of the famous singer/actor Will Smith. The band ditched just a few days before the European tour started, and the reasons were not clarified to anyone. Anyway, around 8 PM, we all head near the stage to witness the performance of the Bangkok Five, an interesting quintet, led by an equally original vocalist who throughout the show insists on the onanistic content of his lyrics. The pieces turn out to be quite powerful, marked by energetic riffs accompanied by determined but sometimes confused drumming. The singer's tone at times recalls that of Jacoby Shaddix, although he does not possess the same vocal power. Everything ends after about an hour, and after approximately thirty minutes and a brief but exhausting wait, the instruments of the four from Vacaville are ready to be handled.
The anxious crowd calls out to the band, chanting their pseudonym, and within a few minutes, a big guy with fake mustaches and a bowler hat, named Dave Buckner, hops onto the stage fiddling with one of the drumsticks, closely followed by Jerry Horton (strangely smiling) and Tobin Esperance. The bass drum lets us know that the first piece will be “To Be Loved” and we barely have time to confirm it as Coby is already in front of us, launching into the introductory rapping! It's chaos, and once the first chorus kicks in, the floor turns into a Tsunami. I, due to both my age and temperament, immediately maneuver to the “peaceful” zone to the left of the stage, given that the central part is completely impassable due to a mix of pushing and moshing. But after all, rock concerts are like that, and heaven forbid it wasn't so. The song flies by quickly, Shaddix greets us and shows how much he likes us, ordering the light technicians to illuminate us as much as possible. The next piece is “Getting Away With Murder” from the penultimate album of the same name, which only winds the crowd up further. The concert proceeds with “Alive,” the second track from the latest album, very powerful, masterfully performed and fully enjoyed by everyone, as the entire venue is a frenzy of heads swaying and spinning.
Everything is going well, the following pieces adhere to the official tracklist of “The Paramour Sessions,” so we hear “Crash,” “The World Around You,” the splendid “Forever,” clearly designed for live performance, and “Time’s Running Out.” Regarding the latest album, the group seals the deal with “Reckless,” a beautiful ballad that stirs the audience, who are agitated again by Shaddix's announcement of a return to “Old School” with “Infest.” The crowd is immediately pleased, and in the meantime, the backing track of the eponymous song starts, marked by Coby’s enjoyable rapping, which somewhat contrasts with his current appearance, but that is just a detail; after all, the habit does not make the monk. We continue with the devastating “Blood Brothers” and “Dead Cell,” and the live show turns a new page, moving into “Lovehatetragedy,” which personally, I consider the band's most powerful and appreciable work.
The first piece performed is “She Loves Me Not,” sung by the entire audience like an anthem, although the treatment is similar for the rest of the songs. Then “Life Is A Bullet,” followed by Coby’s favorite “Born With Nothing, Die With Everything,” all spectacular. Jacoby makes us shake our fists and holds us captive the entire time, proving once again his talent and love for the audience. The direction shifts with “Blood,” followed by the beautiful “Scars,” an ever-emotional ballad worth listening to repeatedly. Papa Roach returns to their roots by performing “Broken Home,” Shaddix’s voice gets overpowered by our singing, showing once again that we go crazy for the music of these four youths, who seem to have almost planned the effects their playlist is generating. “Time and Time Again” is only partially enjoyed because the adrenaline from the previous piece is still alive in us, and once the song ends, the guys don’t even let us process that “Last Resort” is about to start. Near me, anything could happen; the band’s true anthem ignites the crowd, and during the chorus, it’s total chaos, the legs that once felt a bit tired regain the strength from three hours earlier, and nothing else matters but jumping and shouting along to the strong command “Make Some Noise!”.
Once the last note is played, following the final scream, the guys bid us farewell, making the usual predictable, expected act, which precedes the very last piece executed only after a few minutes of darkness and a good amount of shouting, calling the four back in our presence. “Between Angels And Insects” is the checkered flag; you can’t ask for better from a live like this. Excellently performed, this song represents Papa Roach's trademark, their true identity, despite the “mutations” that have brought them to this day. Everyone gives their best, knowing these are the last notes and perhaps it will be a long time before we can once again have our ears “out of order” thanks to this band. It all ends, complimentary picks are thrown by Horton, and Buckner’s chipped drumsticks end up in the hands of a couple of daring youngsters. Coby says goodbye, thanks everyone, and hugs his colleagues, showing he is a true artist who has genuine emotions and loves those who stand alongside him on and off the stage.
A beautiful concert, the only drawback might have been its short duration, but as it stands, we are not in California, and rock is experienced much more modestly here. Tu vuò fà l’ Americano... ma sei nato in Italy... However, the wait of years was worth it. Well done, guys, keep it up.
W la Cucaracha!
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