Static-X came out four years ago for the anniversary of their debut and best album, “Wisconsin Death Trip”, and here they were again for the anniversary of “Machine”, in my opinion their 2nd best album. With them were Soil, also touring the anniversary for an album [Scars] and Australian act, Witchgrinder. Once again, they played the ballroom at Eaton’s Hill, and once again it was an amazing night.
This time around I arrived quite early, before there was even a line, just other keen metalheads milling around, most of whom were the VIP ticketholders. After an hour of hanging around a line had formed back to the neighbouring hotel, but once the gates opened it was pretty quick getting in. once inside the place began to fill up, there was awesome heavy house music, and people were catching up and discussing the awesomeness ahead of us.
First up were Witchgrinder, an Industrial Metal act from Melbourne. Their set was heralded by an ominous orchestral overture. Once they began it was a fun half hour of fast heavy riffs augmented by heavy electro programming and the vocalists growly voice. We were even treated to a new song, Dead by Dawn. Their job was to warm us up for Soil and Static-X, and they did this perfectly, despite a smaller initial crowd and most people conserving their energy for later.
After a short interlude came grunge/metal/rock act Soil. Announcing their set was a cut-up remix of Dragula over the speakers. This was the anniversary of their debut album “Scars” and true to their word, they played it and only it, in full. They were amazing, showing us how they are true veterans of rock and metal, delivering their trademark heavy groove and fast gravely vocals. Partway through their set there was one hilarious rock moment worth mentioning. A chant of “Shoey” went up and of course a boot was produced. It seems frontman Ryan McCombs is famous for drinking out of a prosthetic leg onstage. Now it was time for the aussie version. He succumbed to peer pressure and did it but he did not enjoy it by the look on his face. “Scars” was ended in epic rock fashion with an obligatory heavy crescendo and Ryan handing the mic to fans for woos and screams then we were treated to another bar or two of Halo and Ryan climbing over the barricade to sing with the crowd.
Next up was the show everyone was hanging out for, Evil Disco pioneers Static-X. As the stage and video screen was set up we all came a little closer and steadily more excited. Pantera’s Walk then the Time Warp came over the speakers and everyone joined in an epic sing-a-long. This was a taste of things to come as pretty much every song that came next in the set we all have listened to for twenty odd years. First up was Permanence, followed by This is Not, Structural Defect, and Black and White. The whole ballroom was singing along at the top of their lungs whilst jumping and moshing. Then came Love Dump. This is my favourite Static-X song and I thought it was only played last time for the Death Trip tour. Little did I know that it is also well loved by a lot of other people and now on their setlist. By this stage the moshpit was getting a little crazy, especially when Tony Campos signaled for a circle pit for Bled for Days. “Machine” and “Wisconsin Death Trip” were not the only albums they busted out. We got treated to Just in Case and Dirthouse from “Start a War”, Destroy All from “Shadow Zone”, and the more recent Cannibal. And of course, two new tracks, Terminator Oscillator, and their NIN cover, Terrible Lie.
Now, it wouldn’t be a Static-X show without a tribute to Wayne Static himself. During Cold, my second favourite song, Xer0 got us to sing to pictures of him on-screen. It was actually quite touching. I’m tearing up just thinking about it. All in all, it was one of their best shows. Ken, Tony and Koichi delivered their signature Evil Disco sound with the bio-mechanical Xer0 honouring the legacy of his departed friend, Wayne.
The Rise of the Machine tour at Eaton’s Hill Hotel was an awesome night full of epic metal moments and performances from three amazing bands. I would like to give thanks to the amazing staff at the venue for putting up with a room full of drunk goths and metalheads. I’m sorry but we’ll be back.
Photos by Megan G King Photography | Reviewed by William Ferguson
Static X
Soil & Witchgrinder
