CONCERT PHOTOGRAPHY & REVIEW: Evan J. Thomas covered From Ashes To New, All Good Things and headliner P.O.D. at The Forge, check out his bad ass photography and show review - CHECK IT OUT HERE

9/3/2021

P.O.D., From Ashes To New, All Good Things on a Saturday night at The Forge in Joliet, IL was the place to be on another humid late summer night. The band Sleep Signals was supposed to have been on this tour but had to cancel after the band had a horrific bus accident just over a week ago. There were some bad injuries but the guys in Sleep Signals are currently recovering.

Los Angeles, CA "newbies" All Good Things were the opening act and blew the masses out of the water to kick off the show with their energetic and entertaining set that included their hits like "The Comeback", "For The Glory" and a sick cover of Beyonce's "Survivor". It took me a few moments to figure out the cover after AGT vocalist Dan Murphy asked the crowd "you probably know this song so please sing along". I love it when a band looks like they enjoy playing and and having a good time and connecting with the crowd and AGT had it all tonight.

One of my favorite current live bands, From Ashes To New were sandwiched in the middle of this lineup and came out on stage a blazing. I've had the opportunity over the past few years seeing and talking to FATN a few times and their stage presence is incredible. Vocalists Danny Case and Matt Brandyberry play off each other so well just like one of their favorite bands, Linkin Park did during their heyday. Donned in bullet proof vests and smoke engulfing them at times, Danny and Matt thrashed around the stage popping off "My Name", "Crazy", "Panic" and others. FATN has been releasing some bad ass songs to their ever growing catalog over the past few years that have become anthems. Get on the FATN bandwagon now because I'm telling you, they will become major headliners in a very short period of time.

There isn't much to say about Nu-Metal stalwarts P.O.D. after 20 years of melting faces of MF'ers on a nightly basis. With Sonny Sandoval at the helm he puts every ounce of energy into the bands performance. P.O.D. brought the intensity along with sing a long anthem after sing along anthem like "Southtown", "Boom", "Alive" and many others during their 1 1/2 hour set.

I've seen a handful of incredible lineups so far in 2021 and this night was one of the best. Each band brought their own style, their own brand of energy and for those who got to witness this amazing night it was a treat. With the pandemic still in limbo and not knowing what will happen with live shows all we can do is enjoy what is offered to us and on this night we did. Rock On!

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