These gents, frontman Brent Smith, lead guitarist Jasin Todd, bassist Brad Stewart and drummer Barry Kerch don’t stray from what they want to do very much-and that is ROCK. They reportedly took just 2-3 weeks to crank out their sophomore CD after extensive touring. These dudes don’t like to sit around. They’d rather take their message to the stage and burn it up.

As Smith has been quoted: “When we get together we have a message to convey. It is extremely powerful and very passionate……..we become some kind of machine live!”  Well put my friend. The band flew into the tune “FLY FROM THE INSIDE” and rolled into “LEFT OUT” next as the crowd went haywire. The sleasy/greasy Merdian is a smokin’ hot LOUD venue where this type of band can thrive big time. Judging by the number of screaming men -and drunk ass ladies- they were doing just that! Mr. Smith really has the “young Ozzie” look going and excels at it. He tends to blab too much between songs, which always irritates this reviewer. He also was emploring the fans to “sing along” way too much for my taste.

I’m there to hear THE freakin band sing- not the fans.

But the major highlight to me of thee evening was the 2 acoustic numbers “SHED SOME LIGHT” and the super popular version of “SIMPLE MAN”!  Those 2 showed a killer side of the band as far performance rather than sheer power blast. The build-up on the latter tune to an electric wall of sound was awesome to behold. Goosebump city. The rest of the show included the big hit “45” and a couple new gems “HEROES” and “SAVE ME”.

By the encore of “LOST IN THE CROWD” , I was feeling just that. This old dude can handle only so much of the mash rock out there these days. Believe me it was worth it, albeit the ringing in my noggen the next work day with standing!  Long live the message a band like Shinedown is trying to deliver. Blood, sweat and ROCK……………Out until next time-Edge.