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Rating: When you think of a Papa Roach tour, you might expect the chances of making a stop in Italy to be decent, not certain, and certainly among the stages of the North East, Milan, or at most Rome. Well, in this case, the event's location was Cervia (Ravenna), in a rock club that seems like anything but an arena for an event of this potential. After 650 km traveled the day before, you expect a somewhat welcoming environment, but instead, amid sweltering heat, nearly useless fans, and an impatient atmosphere, we waited until 11 PM for the performance to begin. The opening act entertained and heated things up for 45 minutes, after which the show started.
Before specifically discussing the live performance, I want to highlight how my personal expectations weren't outstanding. I would have bet on a Jacoby Shaddix (for those who don't know, he is the band's leader) a bit in the shadows and uninterested, as well as on a sound not perfectly polished, and yet...
It starts with "Getting Away With Murder ", one of the most intense pieces from Papa Roach's repertoire, which live unleashes the maximum energy and adrenaline. The band seems energized, Shaddix appears possessed, and despite the structure not being entirely suitable for favorable sound distribution, everything goes more than well. The group is incredibly charged, so after the opening, "To Be Loved" kicks in, the first track from the band's most commercially successful album, "Paramour Sessions". The audience is now on fire, the atmosphere works, enjoying every moment. The tour's goal is, of course, primarily to promote the band's latest work, "Metamorphosis," presented with the following trio: the decent "Into The Light", "I Almost Told You That I Loved You", and "Lifeline" , the well-known single that's sung at the top of one's lungs. While Shaddix doesn't shy away from the lucky (and brave 'moshers') at the edge of the stage, greeting and involving them, the live performance continues with the classic cool tracks from the past, from the tranquil melodies of "Forever" (personally a surprise, I wouldn't have bet a euro on its presence on the setlist), to the frenzy of "Between Angels And Insects", the latter particularly appreciated by 'old' fans, still attached to the early rap-metal style. Continuing with "Scars" sung entirely by the crowd, and the angry "She Loves Me Not", it leads to the explosive finale, the track that couldn't be missed, the band's first major single "Last Resort", a standout piece in the group's entire discography.
In three minutes, we saw it all, from people flying around to those throwing punches 'just' to retrieve a fallen camera, the rest is the still-intact energy of Jacoby Shaddix and the excellent work of the rest of the band composed of the trio Horton/Palermo/Esperance.
In conclusion, I must say the live performance had no particular flaws; I consider the setlist almost perfect, though it's a shame for the absence of "Alive ( 'N' Out Of Control )" and "Change Or Die", songs that would have delivered 120% live. Unfortunately, the club's structure didn't favor the execution of a well-done concert; an outdoor arena would have been ideal, but obviously, it's not a fault attributable to the band. In fact, the Los Angeles quartet deserves credit for accepting to perform for a 'niche' audience (around 2000 sweaty attendees) instead of the usual large crowds.
Shaddix and company surprised us, 650 km were worth every bit, and we eagerly await the release of the live "Time For Annihilation" scheduled for this year, imagining, therefore, another spectacular live event.
Rating: 9
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