Review: Sick New World
For the inaugural review(s) of this webpage, I figured it would be best to start with the big guns. So this section, as you can guess will be covering Sick New World in Las Vegas Nevada, located on the Las Vegas Fairgrounds on April 27th. This is a great one for first timers that are looking for big spectacles and rowdy crowds, just stay away from the pit to start.
To begin, we will be giving an overview of the actual artists at this years festival and my thoughts on particular placements.
Sick New World line up
Source: www.sicknewworld.com
Sick New World Lineup. Credit to: www.sicknewworld.com
Before we dive into the specific reviews and reflections on each performance, I want to highlight the exceptional stage setups and the fantastic festival atmosphere. The layout is incredibly well-designed and easily navigable, making it convenient for attendees who may be unfamiliar with bustling festival environments. It's important to note that due to limited resources, I could only cover the main stages and their performances in this review, as I am currently a team of one.
Overall, I was quite satisfied with the lineup for this year's event. However, one concern that stood out to me was the scheduling of bands like Lamb of God and Babymetal in the early afternoon slots. Personally, I believe that these bands deserved later time slots, perhaps even ahead of Primus and Bad Omens. In my opinion, Babymetal's intense energy and intricate choreography warrant a primetime performance slot, while Lamb of God's status as seasoned performers justifies a higher billing. The inclusion of Danny Elfman so high in the lineup was also questionable to me, as his set consisted largely of soundtrack and orchestra performances, which felt out of place compared to the other acts. Moving forward, let's delve into the reviews without dwelling too much on these initial observations.
Nonpoint
The first band we will be covering is one that I was not quite familiar with, their name being Nonpoint. Searching them up, they were founded in 1997 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and are generally classified as Nu Metal band. Overall, for being the first band to perform, their sound and energy were great; vocals were powerful and the band was in high spirits. They performed exceptionally, especially considering the weather in the early Vegas afternoon. Personal favorites when it came to songs were that of ‘Dodge Your Destiny’ and ‘Bullet with a Name’, especially ‘Bullet with a Name’ the vocals and raw aggression of the vocalist, Elias Soriano absolutely energized the crowd for the upcoming performances and the band themselves were the starting guns of a great sunny Vegas day of music.
KITTIE
The next band up to perform was one that I was really interested in seeing after catching some of their clips on social media. The band in question was Ontario, Canada’s own Kittie. Formed in 1996, this band classifies themselves as an Alternative Metal and Death Metal band. The band had peaked my interest when I was researching them, especially the two sisters, the Lander siblings, I was interested to see what the band dynamic would be like with a sibling duo in the mix. The attitude I got from them is that they are a tightly knit together group that performs killer tracks while also not having an intimidating stage presence. Equally so, their fans appeared to be friendly and even wished Tara Mcleod, a happy birthday and the band responded in kind to the well wishes. While this might not be something that is viewed as important to seasoned concert goers, I believe for first timers that this type of band and their audience is perfect for introducing someone to heavier genres of music.
Their track ‘Eyes Wide Open’ was a great follow up to Nonpoint and allowed for the audience to get familiar with their sound and what exactly these ladies can bring to the table. Personally, I would say they were one of the stand out performances of the festival. The energy of the band, especially their guitarists assisted in creating a dynamic performance that will be fondly remembered by me. Closing out with ‘We are the Lamb’ allowed for an excellent close to their set while also giving a lasting impression as to who they are and providing more than enough reasons to see them again.
Spiritbox
The next band that we will be covering is that of Spiritbox. This is another band I had not seen live before I started to review festivals, but WOW I was very much impressed with the overall performance. Hailing from British Columbia and being active since 2016, this band will absolutely headline festivals in the coming years, with the amount of experience compared to their competition, I would say they have a leg up when it comes to performance. A significant standout would have to be their vocalist, Courtney LaPlante, her vocals really get the crowd going and brings the whole performance together. While easy to have fallen into the track of being generic new age metal, Spiritbox has expertly dodged the trappings that other bands have fallen into.
Lorna Shore
The next act was one of my favorite performances of the festival. Lorna Shore is a personally unique case to research because this is a relatively new band with none of the original members; the last founding member departed in 2019. Becoming essentially a whole new entity after the COVID-19 pandemic halted tours and chances to form a new identity, I believe this Lorna Shore incarnation is exceptional, showing promise for long-term success. Will Ramos, the vocalist, delivered a powerful performance that energized the crowd. As a first-time viewer, I was pleasantly surprised by their high energy, impressive vocals, and captivating instrumentation, leaving me craving more.
Ice Nine Kills
The next group up was one I actually had seen during Metallica’s M72 tour. During Ice Nine Kills performance at the Metallica show in the Sofi stadium, I was not too incredibly impressed. I thought that they didn’t utilize space properly, their sound was a little bad, and overall their performance mixed with props and actors felt a little limited. I had left thinking I would be curious if a smaller stage would do them any favors and to my surprise it did wonders. With the smaller stage, their performances were able to actually use most of the stage, their actors didn’t have to do any weird maneuvers and overall the show flowed significantly better for them as a whole. Ice Nine Kills is definitely a group that I had turned my opinion on, they performed exceptionally well and had a unique stage presence that felt right at home in Vegas. Overall, my opinion is to see them in a smaller venue and you will have a killer time with their unique mix of horror and metal.
Babymetal
Following the surprise improved performance from Ice Nine Kills, the next band up was Babymetal! To not compromise the integrity of this review, I will have to disclose that I am, in fact, a big fan of Babymetal and believe that they are some of the hardest workers in the festival scene. The combination of an idol performance with the heavy metal energy brings a unique vibrancy and appreciation for the work that this three-lady group puts in. Babymetal provides the genki nature found in other idol groups, coupled with a passion for heavy metal and a commitment to always delivering a stellar show.
Their performance, along with the additional acts, offered newcomers a chance to become fans. I am eagerly looking forward to continuing to support Babymetal and hope that they receive more recognition for their efforts, attracting new fans through their smaller tours and collaborations with established artists. If you're yet to experience Babymetal, I wholeheartedly recommend giving them a try - you're bound to become a fan. Some of the highlights from their performance was when they came back for Bring me the Horizon for their collaborative song, Kingslayer.
Their performances this festival were overall superb and their backing band continued to perform fantastically and in their own way, while not being the main focus of the show, create their own identities with their backing vocals and their overall proficiency with their respective instruments. Babymetal is always a treat to see live and is one of those recommendations that will be going on my highly recommended list of must see artists.
Lamb of God
This next act was one that has been on my list of bands for a long time and they did not fail to deliver, Lamb of God is a fantastic band both on recording and live. Founded in 1994 and known then as Burn the Priest, Richmond, Virginia’s own Lamb of God has been running strong since their inception. The main stand out thing for me is that despite their reputation that they were so low on the actual festival billing, despite this, they performed exceptionally. Moving to their actual performance, the starting song Memento Mori, is the perfect introduction with what you are about to witness. The intoxicating and hypnotic vocals presents an airy and ethereal atmosphere then kicks into high gear, allowing for the feeling of being pulled out of a trance and plunged into free fall. The energy presented not only in the aforementioned Memento Mori, continued throughout the rest of their set. Once they had you moving they wasted no time in, at times, providing a full on assault. Overall, Lamb of Gods performance was a nonstop wave of heavy metal that left me wanting more and I am sure that the audience members shared the same sentiments. If there was on band to see, I would HIGHLY recommend Lamb of God. Their captivating stage presence and powerful sound make for an unforgettable experience that truly immerses you in the essence of heavy metal music. The raw passion and skill displayed by each band member create a dynamic and exhilarating atmosphere that resonates with fans on a visceral level. Lamb of God's ability to mix intense aggression with heartfelt emotion brings a unique depth to their performance, leaving audiences energized and craving more. I cannot emphasize enough how seeing Lamb of God live is an absolute must for any rock or metal enthusiast.
Primus
PRIMUS SUCKS. To be completely honest, my experience with Primus was truly unexpected. Despite facing major adversity with their gear being stuck in a snowstorm in another state, they made the admirable decision to purchase new instruments and put on a performance on the same day. As a musician myself, I understand the challenges of adjusting to new gear, and I must commend Primus for handling the situation with such professionalism. What stood out to me was that they later auctioned off the instruments for charity, showcasing their integrity and goodwill. Despite the equipment setbacks, Primus delivered a fantastic performance, with their bass lines proving to be absolutely captivating. While their style may not have resonated with me personally, I acknowledge their musical talent and precision. I appreciate their focus on the often underrated aspect of bass in a band. For those seeking a lively band with impressive bass work, I would certainly recommend giving Primus a listen; I would recommend listening to a few tracks before committing to a live show since they clearly are not for everyone. As a closing remark, I must say I respect Primus for their overall professionalism and lack of making excuses or straight up cancelling the performance, maybe down the line I will give them another chance and this review will age poorly.
Bad Omens
Moving onto the next performance was Bad Omens. Knowing what we know now of their frontman, Noah’, burnout(see statement screenshot below), the band still put on a great performance that was really surprising from a band that is still relatively new, formed in 2015. While the band has experience outside of Bad Omens, there is still new challenges that can be faced when it comes to significant success. While it is unfortunate that they are cancelling their summer shows, I have to commend the band for putting their health ahead of short term gains; I am confident that when they return from their hiatus that the group will be stronger and able to perform with renewed focus. Their performance during Sick New World was very much a great performance despite the feelings of burnout. Personal standout songs for me were that of Like a Villain, the kicking in of the band is like a bomb going off, then following with the vocals that are filled with emotion and creates a nice dichotomy. I will still stand by my initial opinion that they should be a little earlier and giving bands that have more than proved themselves higher billing. I mean no disrespect with this since I loved their performance but I feel like the sound at times can be a bit generic and safe but thats just personal preference. Overall, I think with time and more experience, Bad Omens will be one of the biggest bands on a festival schedule and that they will only get better with time. However, I believe that they should take some more risks with their sound so they do not get caught up with start ups and other bands that fill a similar sound to them and might not actually take the breaks/pauses that Bad Omens has opted to take.
A Perfect Circle
Moving onto the next band featured on the red stage was Los Angeles’ own, A Perfect Circle. Going into the set I had no idea what to expect and was pleasantly surprised by their overall performance. The groups instrumentals, while I would not classify them as heavy metal or even similar to some of the sounds provided by the bands that came before them, more than provides evidence as to why they had such a high billing on this festival setlist. The combination of the vocals and the emotionality of the instruments provides a break from the assault of from other bands and allows for a breather without having the audience becoming disinterested in the performance. You simply get absorbed into their soundscape and are just left standing there taking in their unique sound.
Their opener, ‘The package’ has inviting vocals that really pulled me into their performance, similar to siren call, the vocalist, Maynard James Kennan, really creates a unique sound that gets the support it needs from the band as a whole. Once the band kicks in, the sound really comes together to make a unique sound that to me, connoted the feelings of desperation and longing, this opening track quite simply left me wanting more.
Overall, A Perfect Circle was an awesome performance that I would have a hard time not recommending to anyone. They clearly are comfortable with their sound and have mastered it completely. The band is simply put, an experience that cannot be missed. Casual and hardcore fans should definitely see them live either as a support act or a headliner; small disclaimer that they do take breaks to take care of other obligations.
Alice in Chains
Now this is a band I have been eagerly anticipating to see for the longest time - Alice in Chains! Growing up, they had been a band I've always dreamt of experiencing live, a dream I never thought would come true. Witnessing this iconic band perform, especially my favorite song from the group, Man in the Box, was an absolute joy. What struck me the most about their performance was how closely they resembled their studio recordings, a rarity among many groups. The guitar and vocal performances were flawless, making it a truly unforgettable experience. Alice in Chains is undeniably a must-see band - their exceptional talent and unwavering edge shine through effortlessly. In terms of the crowd, the audience behavior was totally fine for newcomers and less experienced fans; Alice in Chains is definitely one of those groups that are perfect for first timers and anyone hesitant. On a lighter note, I even managed to snag a drumstick from the band after it accidentally bounced off someone's head! Closing remarks, Alice in Chains rules and should be seen at least once in your lifetime.
Danny Elfman
Of all the performances that were on this years festival line up, this is, after thinking about it, still one of the more jarring and confusing entries onto the festival schedule. To start with the positives, the actual musical aspect of the performance was top notch; the live orchestra that accompanied Elfman was a real treat to behold. The visuals and energy provided by Elfman were also pretty amazing, the energy of the performance as a whole did a lot of the heavy lifting when it came to getting the crowd amped up (especially Deadman’s Party).
However, this is where my positives end, as I still believe that Elfman should have been on a smaller stage or given an earlier slot. While I understand you can only perform so many songs that is part of your past works, I do not think having the orchestra play show and movie themes is the best usage of stage time. The performances were awesome sure, but I do not think that having a quarter of the show be movie and showpieces was necessary for the show as a whole. The orchestra did a fantastic job and was a novel idea but I still stand by the belief that their overall inclusion was unnecessary. Overall, my thoughts are that Danny Elfman should have been given an earlier slot if they wanted him on main stage and that a quarter of the setlist was unnecessary (but regardless, beautiful arrangements for fans of the respective series).
I hope Danny Elfman goes to more of these events since they are a wonderful performer and clearly have the energy to perform with the expertise of a professional.
Bring Me the Horizon
Up next on the main stage was Sheffield’s own Bring Me The Horizon. This is one of the many bands that were on my radar since my high school years. I can say after experiencing their music through games like rock band, that their performance overall was a pleasant experience. While usually not my overall preferred type of metal, Bring Me The Horizon displayed their talents as musicians but providing a much needed pick me up for the audience. Opening with a movie that emulates and pays homage to the Playstation 1 and specifically Metal Gear Solid and the games iconic codec calls got the audience invested and curious and then suddenly, the band erupts with sound and kicks into their first song, Darkside! Bring Me The Horizon has amazing respect to their fans, which I consider to be one of the key aspects of being a performer, you have to develop a relationship with the audience to keep them invested.
Unfortunately, the set was stopped towards the end due an audience injury so we missed out on a song. After a brief pause, they picked it right back up and finished up the set.
If you aren’t afraid of pits, this is a great band to see to see if you are interested in this genre of metal. If you stick around, you’ll see a band that carries respect for their audience and the audience by proxy gives their all in the energy department.
Slipknot
Following the great performance by Bring Me The Horizon, was the band that’s always a treat to see, Slipknot! This will be my third time seeing Slipknot and its safe to say that the group is one of the most standout performances you can see. Not overly flashy or elaborate with their presentation, I believe the thing that makes their performance stand out is the overall simplicity of their identity, rather than a performer, in some ways Slipknot becomes more of a presence.
Slipknot is one of those performances that you have to see now rather than wait a few years. The uniqueness of their performance mixed in with their overall identity and the way that it all blends is something that can only be captured while the members are still relatively young. If you were concerned about price, I would highly suggest hunting them down at a festival since they perform at their own (Knotfest) or at other festivals.
Since this year marks the 25th anniversary of Here Comes the Pain, Slipknot came out with their original masks and outfits and played most of their well known tracks which was not an issue in the slightest. On a personal note, I will be covering their individual headlining show for the 25th anniversary of Here Comes the Pain when they tour through Los Angeles in September.
For first time festival attendees or simply fans, I would suggest avoiding the pits for Slipknot since the crowds can be a bit wild and that might be overwhelming for someones first time.
System of a Down
Finally, we get to the final artist to perform at Sick New World 2024, the returning for the second year in a row, System of a Down! System of a Down performing was what attracted me to the first festival last year and this year they did not disappoint in the slightest. I was fortunate enough to get to barricade for their set and despite being pushed over and spraining my ankle, it was an awesome show. This year it felt like they had more time on their set and they covered all their staples (Aerials, BYOB, Toxicity) and some that have not been performed for a good number of years (CUBErt, Bubbles, etc.). The band has not lost their edge in the slightest, which is surprising considering the bands known tension.
The whole set was super high energy and it did not feel like the artists were phoning in any of the performance and were playing just like you’d imagine a System of a Down show would be. If you are a fan considering if it’s worth it just for System of a Down, I would say if you have the means for the show, then yes since its a great opportunity to try and see them up close for a fraction of stadium prices.
I am hoping that for next Sick New World that they continue the tradition of having System of a Down perform and put on an absolute barn burner.
