Stone Sour Brings the Metal, Steel Panther Brings the Girls

There is nothing quite like seeing Steel Panther in concert. If you are familiar with the band, you understand what I am talking about, but if you’re not, a quick breeze through some of their music videos might give you a hint of what can be expected. Now, mix that with a band fronted by arguably (not so much for me after witnessing his sheer vocal power in person) the greatest voice in the history of metal, and you’re in for a wild ride.

I pulled into the very convenient parking lot located on the property of Myth Live about forty-five minutes after doors opened, and about fifteen minutes before the music was supposed to start. Two thoughts immediately entered my mind: 1. That is a shit-load of people, and 2. This <400 spot parking lot is quite the cock tease when your venue holds 3000+ people.

After parking my car at the nearby Maplewood Mall with about a thousand other attendees who underestimated the size of the lot, I walked through the crisp autumn breeze and made my way to the box office. Luckily for me, I did not have to stand in the line that, no kidding, wrapped around the entire building, and had the benefit of being able to check in right away and get in hassle-free.

Upon entering, I was notified that I would not have access to the pit in front of the stage for the show (hence my decent, but not amazing, photographs) but would instead be spending my night inside one of the VIP Booths, complete with private bar and amazing bartender, located on the second-floor balcony of the club. I hustled up the stairs just as Cherry Bombs were taking the stage.

The only way I can effectively describe what the Cherry Bombs do is this: they’re strippers. While I’m positive (I checked their Facebook page!) they would like to be referred to as dancers, I prefer to call a spade and spade. This should in no way be taken as a negative term, as what (some of) them did takes immense skill and talent, but for other members it was very much an I’ve got it so I’m going to flaunt it for predominantly male audiences across America type of performance, and that’s fine. It felt a little gimmicky, and out of place in an otherwise dialed-in show, but it was no doubt a good way to warm up the audience for what was about to take place.

One word keeps popping into my mind as I sit here and try to think of a way to describe what I witnessed from Steel Panther on stage tonight, and that word is debauchery. At times, it was pure insanity. This was the first time I have had the opportunity to see them, and as a band that has headlined this very same venue within the last year and is now performing there as openers, I can only imagine how crazy those headlining shows were.

I could write three more paragraphs just about how out-of-hand this performance was, but I think I will just let the photos speak for themselves and say this: if you have the opportunity to see this band, do it. You will not be disappointed. (Unless sex, drugs, and Rock N Roll are not things that interest you. If that’s the case you will hate this band.)

One of the first things Stone Sour front-man Corey Taylor said after he and the band came out on stage was that he personally invited Steel Panther on this tour because he wanted to make every night an absolute party. This is the only reasoning I could imagine because having to follow one of the most energetic bands of all time is no easy feat; but then again, when has Corey Taylor ever taken the easy way out.

Simply put, Stone Sour rocketed through all expectations and not only carried on the energy that Steel Panther started, but took it even further. With a catalog spanning over fifteen years, their set list has become a fine-tuned machine that hums a sweet, sweet tune when at an idle, and sounds like a four-headed monster screaming through the depths of hell when revved to the red-line.

As I said before, after attending this concert there is no doubt left in my mind that Corey Taylor is the greatest metal vocalist to ever grace this earth. The way this mans voice fills a room, and the sheer amount of power he throws behind it could really be up for consideration as the 8^th Wonder of the World. It is truly something special, and going along with Steel Panther, is something better experienced live and in person.

Hands down this was the coolest show that I have had the pleasure of covering for this site, and I can’t say enough how much I would personally recommend taking the next opportunity offered to you to see either of these bands up close and in person.