Article and Photos by: Linda Carlson

Lexington, KY – Manchester Music Hall rocked out to four amazing bands on May 29th as the Sevendust “All I See Is War” Tour made its next-to-last tour stop in Lexington to a very enthusiastic crowd.

Straight out of the gate, Madame Mayhem brought high octane energy to the stage.  Originally from Manhattan, this female rocker was true to her name, instilling a sense of mayhem with her commanding presence and fierce vocals.  Sporting spiked gloves and an attitude to match, Madame Mayhem certainly started the evening off strong.

Fire From The Gods, fronted by AJ Channer, is an Austin band that packs a punch of its own.  This metal band takes nuances of Channer’s rich experiences (born in the Bronx, raised as well in London and Ghana) to bring threads of social awareness to the band’s often dark lyrics of struggle and survival.

Memphis May Fire is a Christian metalcore band from Dallas. Lead singer Matty Mullins brings piercing intensity to lyrics filled with despair and fear, but also tinged with hope and optimism.  This journey is told in their 2014 album, “Unconditional.”  Mullins welcomed members of the crowd to meet and talk with him at the merch table if they wanted to hear his story, or share their own.

Which brought the evening to the headliner, Sevendust.  By this time, the venue was bursting with fans with fists raised, who shouted “Se-ven-dust, Se-ven-dust!” repeatedly.  When the band came on stage, the crowd exploded into cheers, and lead singer Lajon Witherspoon flashed a smile that did not leave for the entire set.

This tour promotes the band’s album of the same name, “All I See Is War,” a musical commentary on the chaotic and complicated matters that the world is currently facing…division and anger, frustration, and fear.  “War” takes on multiple meanings…  fighting inner demons, fighting each other, fighting addiction…

The band played with an intensity that would rival the start of a tour, not the end of one.  Each band member gave a solid performance, with drummer Morgan Rose pounding the drums with such ferocity that at times he was compelled to stand as he attacked the drum skins.  There was a sense that everyone wanted to be on that stage…no one was just going through the motions.  The fans sensed this commitment, and gave the love back.

This tour ended on June 1, but with the concert festival season heating up, Sevendust will hit the circuit starting in July.  You can check for tour schedule updates at www.sevendust.com.