Five Finger Death Punch is currently on tour, leaving a trail of destruction, city after city. When they crashed the Moda Center in Portland, OR, we got rocked hard. Sixx A.M. and Shinedown were also on the bill, giving fans a trifecta of incredible rock. Sixx A.M. opened the gig, but the unrelenting Portland traffic prevented us from seeing the band first-hand. When we got into the arena, while the Shinedown set was still being assembled, the crowd was still buzzing about how amazing the Sixx A.M. set was. Next time, Nikki, next time.
Shinedown took the stage and literally set the Moda Center on fire. They played a 12-song set, opening with “Adrenaline” and leaving our ears ringing to the “Sound Of Madness.” Throughout the set, frontman Brent Smith shared messages of unity, and making memories, reminding the fans to put the phones away and look around – be in the moment. As if the music wasn’t spectacular enough, Shinedown brough the big-boy box of fireworks into the arena. With every burst of fire, or concussion blast, the Portland audience only got louder and more frenzied. When the final note of “Sound of Madness” was played and the lights dimmed, a collective sigh could be heard from the crowd, but there was more to come.
Five Finger Death Punch took an unusually long time to get to the stage, but as soon as they took they did, it was pedal-to-the-metal, double kick-drum, amps turned up to 11, all about that rock. The band opened with “Lift Me Up”, from their 2013 album The Wrong Side Of Heaven And The Righteous Side Of Hell. The heavy groove guitar riff and relentless double-bass drum was the perfect kick-off to set the mood for a kick-ass metal show. Midway through the set, frontman Ivan invited some kids from the crowd and their parents to come up on stage. With a can of Monster Energy Drink in each hand, each kid got to stay on stage while FFDP blew the doors off the Moda center. The set list included an insane drum solo as well. After “Jekyll and Hyde”, Jeremy Spencer demonstrated why he’s been given so many “Best Drummer” accolades. He masterfully pounded the skins; the Portland fans in complete awe all the while. The 13-song setlist closed out with “The Bleeding” as the band said their goodbyes.
FFDP, Shinedown and Sixx A.M. are a long way from Portland, now touring the east coast. But, there’s still time to get out and catch a great rock show before we ring in 2017.
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Review and Photography by RockRevolt Photojournalist Terry L. White
