MUDVAYNE BLOWS THE ROOF OFF THE PEARL IN VEGAS WITH THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF L.D. 50

Mudvayne returned to Las Vegas, and it felt like our wayward son returning home. The crowd was a sea of Mudvayne and Hellyeah t-shirt wearing fans - Vegas claims Chad Gray as it's own, and now that he has a home here it's cemented. The Hellyeah connection with Vegas and much loved Vinnie Paul made Chad (and Mudvayne) a beloved brother here, and the Pearl show felt as much like a family reunion as a anniversary celebration. Chad's wife and SiriusXM host Shannon Gunz was welcoming fans into the pit, and there was a mass of fans and friends in the GA pit ready to roll.

Mudvayne is celebrating the 25th Anniversary of their debut L.D. 50 on this US tour, and the set ran through collective of tracks from the album, making a brutal start with "Dig" and "Internal Primates Forever". Notably absent was guitarist Greg Tribbett (due to his wife's recent passing he is not on tour at this time), and Chad spoke on the founding guitarist's loss. He talked to the fans about how much it affected him, how Tribbett wanted them to go on - and with the love and support of them all, they are continuing, and the crowd showed nothing but love.

Guitarist Marcus Rafferty gave full justice to lead guitar duties for the show with guitarist Jason Kocis, and with devil bassist Ryan Martinie and drummer Matthew McDonough the stage was a ball of energy and a perfect backdrop for the theatrics of Gray, the madman showman leading the melee.

Chad likes to talk a bit, and he made the point of metal family love and respect, giving back, leaving drama at the door and just feeling the music. "We all have a common denominator and that's heavy metal music. I want everyone to turn around and high five a complete stranger and make as much noise as you can", before demanding "we're going to blow the roof off the Pearl" and pounding into "Under My Skin" and doing just that.

The set featured 9 tracks from L.D. 50, rounding the main set with "Nothing to Gain", before taking a break before a mighty encore, leading off with "Dull Boy" and with new single "Hurt People Hurt People" before finale with "Happy?" Mudvayne fans new and old got pure fire and ruthless spirit, and a show to remember.

Mudvayne has teased with the new singles "Hurt People" and "Sticks and Stones" this fall, and says the new cuts enforce "the staying power and longevity of the band". More new music to come this year? Time will tell, but for now we get the ferocious live experience of Mudvayne through this Anniversary tour, running through the end of October. Come get some love with your brutal metal and join the family.

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