Welcome To Rockville 2018
Heavy metal comes to the Sunshine State
FRIDAY
The sun is out and legions of black-clad metallers are busy either slathering themselves in suncream or getting straight on the beers. Welcome To Rockville has come back to Florida, and it ain’t here to play.
The first band to draw a crowd today are BAD WOLVES [6]. Featuring members of God Forbid, Devildriver and others, the five-piece’s cover of Cranberries classic Zombie inevitably gets the biggest reception, even though they do a great job playing their own material. Next up are UNDEROATH [5], who play a mix of old and new material, including recent track Rapture. Compared to the other bands on the bill today, they aren’t as powerful live, but they stick to a solid sound and still attract a devoted audience. PARKWAY DRIVE [8] are one of the heavier bands on the Rockville 2018 bill, and for 40 wild minutes, the Aussies never stop moving – and neither do their crowd, who spark up Friday’s best pits. HALESTORM [8] then arrive onstage, boasting one of rock’s best modern vocalists in Lzzy and a spectacular drum solo from brother Arejay. An incredible stage presence is one thing, but it helps that every musician plays each song perfectly, too.
FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH [7] are the first of Friday’s true big-hitters. Ivan Moody sounds a little weak today compared to previous live performances, but he scores points by coming clean about his alcoholism, to a warm response. He also shows the crowd some love by bringing two young 5FDP fans onstage and handing off his signature bat to a lucky fan in the crowd. What a guy. Meanwhile, Jacksonville gets louder as ATREYU [8] and their fans scream into the night on the Metropolitan stage. They play material off of classic albums such as The Curse, and of course, what’s an Atreyu set without their cover of You Give Love A Bad Name?
To truly end the night, though, there’s no one better than the Prince Of Darkness himself. OZZY OSBOURNE [8] hits the stage with his band, including his reinstated and similarly legendary guitarist, Zakk Wylde. They play though most of Ozzy’s best-known singles, with the bassy No More Tears and an emotional Mama I’m Coming Home being particular highlights, not to mention Black Sabbath classics War Pigs and Paranoid. The sound is a little off at points, but it doesn’t ruin a great set.
SATURDAY
The heaviness immediately kicks in on day two with AVATAR [7]. The Swedes have an awesome, theatrical opening, introducing guitarist Jonas ‘Kungen’ Jarlsby as “the king” sitting on his throne. He shreds opening track A Statute Of The King while the crowd headbangs and moshes – and it doesn’t let up after that. One of the day’s best bands, SEVENDUST [9] get the Rockville metal family moshing throughout the whole set, living up to their glory days when playing classic material such as Shine and Denial. Next up is ASKING ALEXANDRIA [5]. The band attract a huge and devoted crowd, but on a bill such as this, they come off a little soft. BUTCHER BABIES [6] are impressive today, vocalists Carla Harvey and Heidi Shepherd running onstage and commanding the crowd to act wild from the get-go. STONE SOUR [7] also make their mark, with Corey Taylor and
the boys getting the crowd moving constantly. even right at the back, there’s still crowdsurfing, singing and jumping during the likes of Through Glass.
Saturday’s headliner is AVENGED SEVENFOLD [7], who plough through a set beset by unfortunate circumstances. Not only does M. Shadows admit that he’s sick and almost didn’t make it here (he belts out songs regardless), but there’s a pause in the show after a crowdsurfer falls and sustains what is later rumoured to be spinal cord damage. even with those hindrances, A7X put on a show to remember, making their mark with the likes of Critical Acclaim, Bat Country and Unholy Confessions, not to mention some eye-scorching bursts of pyro.
Setbacks be damned.
SUNDAY
The final day of Rockville might just boast one of the festival’s best ever line-ups. Big riffs conquer today, and the madness starts with RED FANG [9]. In the scorching hot afternoon, the Portland stoner metallers says they’re happy to be away from their cold home, and their fans are clearly happy to see them too, with moshing breaking out all over the place.
Compared to his Letlive days, you feel Jason Butler could have had a little more stage presence today, but THE FEVER 333 [6] go down well regardless, combining a positive message with a diverse sound. TURNSTILE [8] may be a young band, but their energy and sheer talent prove they can play alongside legends. You can tell they’re already Rockville favourites.
The show continues with BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE [7]. Vocalist and guitarist Matthew Tuck admits he’s also sick today, but you can barely tell: he sings and screams fan favourites such as Tears Don’t Fall perfectly. The Welsh heavyweights put on a great show, though it’s a little on the short side. A favourite for every music fan who likes it heavy is CLUTCH [8]. As soon as the Maryland rockers go onstage, the crowd goes suitably wild, with new song Gimme The Keys matching the might of the classics. The party rolls on with BARONESS [8], who remain as vital as ever. Whether it’s heavier tracks like Kerosene or their more melodic material, such as the gorgeous Chlorine And Wine, they’re always incredible.
There really is no better way to end a festival than with FOO FIGHTERS [9], and they attract a massive crowd – so much so that Dave Grohl keeps mentioning it. And it’s a crowd that reacts to every single second their two-hour set, singing, moshing, jumping and crowdsurfing to iconic numbers like Learn To Fly and Everlong. There are even special guest appearances by Billy Idol, Pat Smear, and, um, John Travolta. It all works, though, and it goes to show that the Foos have become little less than bona fide rock legends. What a show. What a weekend. Until next year, Rockville!