Jerry Cantrell gives a brilliant performance of vital rock music taking the audience on a musical odyssey at Saint Andrews Hall in Detroit.
Jerry Cantrell brought his I Want Blood Tour to Detroit, and Saint Andrew’s Hall became a cathedral of mammoth riffs and visceral music. Fans packed into this historic venue, ready to celebrate the Alice In Chains guitarist’s legacy and embrace his newest material. For nearly two hours, Cantrell and his band blended old memories, new fire, and earnest truth into a set that reminded Detroit why he remains one of rock’s vital voices.
Sparta opened the night with an evocative set of passion fueled post-hardcore. Jim Ward led the trio with conviction, his voice and guitar carving through the mix while the rhythm section drove the songs with urgency. The band leaned on their early catalog, stirring the room with the sweeping power of “While Oceana Sleeps” before closing with the charged rush of “Air.”
When Jerry Cantrell hit the stage, the energy inside Saint Andrews swelled like an ocean wave. The thrumming intro music and blasts of light illuminating the excited audience. From the first notes of “Psychotic Break”, the crowd could sense the promise this evening holds. The promise of an evocative and captivating night of rock.The snarling stomp of “Them Bones” caused the room to reverberate in an electric spasm of emotion. Fans screamed every lyric back to Jerry and his band in a bond of rock hard solidarity. Joining Cantrell on this odyssey of sight and sound are Zach Throne (guitar,vocals), Eliot Lorango (bass) and Roy Mayorga (drums).
The setlist was a storybook journey through Cantrell’s career. Alice In Chains landmarks like “Man in the Box” invoked vivid memories of seeing Alice In Chains perform in this same venue back in 1992. However, the new material proved just as commanding. “Vilified” snapped with menace, “Afterglow” simmered with eerie beauty, and the relentless riffs of “I Want Blood” demanded attention. Each of the new songs stood toe to toe with music that shaped a generation. While Jerry’s songwriting is impeccable, what drives these newer tunes during the show is the powerhouse drumming of Roy Mayorga. With Eliot Lorango keeping the groove deep and earnest, Roy displayed a brilliance behind the kit that was fantastic to see and hear.
As the night stretched toward its close, the energy never flagged. In fact, it hit another peak as Jerry Cantrell finished off his set with the crowd favorite “Would?.” The energy was palpable. All evening Zach Throne added his stellar guitar and vocals, yet he was overpowered by the crowd during “Would?.” Hairs stood on end as the potency of this song was multiplied by voices of the entire house singing together. It was an incredibly moving moment.
Jerry mentioned that this was typically the time when the band would step off and the crowd cheers for an encore. However, he indicated he’d rather just keep playing if that was ok with the audience. A huge cheer made it clear that they were ready for more. Jerry Cantrell and the band obliged with an enthusiastic three more tunes. Starting with the roiling loss of “Echoes of Laughter,” followed by the scintillating sludge of “It Ain’t Like That,” and closing with “Rooster.”
“Rooster” is more than a song, it is a defiant anthem. Cantrell sang with reverence and fury, his guitar echoing the jagged passion within this song. The audience roared the chorus like a promise, binding all in something more than music.
Jerry Cantrell could coast on Alice In Chains’ legacy, but instead he keeps pushing forward, writing songs that matter now as much as they did thirty years ago. On this stop in Detroit, Jerry showed us that the fire never fades within an artist. From the limitless well of creativity, Cantrell continues to craft rugged vistas using the magic of music and present them night after night on the stage.
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