The nu metal scene is alive and well if the Rockzilla Tour, featuring Papa Roach and Falling in Reverse, is any indication. The bands welcome Hollywood Undead and Bad Wolves for a rap-rocking, head-banging expedition that grew out of the soundtrack of upcoming horror flick The Retaliators, which stars Roach frontman Jacoby Shaddix in his movie debut and includes songs by three Rockzilla bands.
Shaddix is no stranger to the camera due to the slew of videos Papa Roach has made since exploding onto the scene in 2000 with “Last Resort.” The band demonstrates continuing dedication to innovation on latest full-length album Ego Trip. Making a cameo in the film is Five Finger Death Punch’s Zoltan Bathory, whose label Better Music may have played a significant role in helping the musical core of Bad Wolves evolve into its next phase after the controversial departure of singer Tommy Vext.
Vext, the voice on the Los Angeles band’s 2017 cover of The Cranberries’ “Zombie,” has been replaced by former Acacia Strain vocalist Daniel “DL” Laskiewicz, who appeared on last year’s Dear Monsters album and the Sacred Kiss EP released in July.
Hollywood Undead appear in Vegas on the heels of the release of new album Hotel Kalifornia, which sounds designed to make Glenn Frey spin in his grave. The Undead are the most stylistically diverse band on the bill, with hip-hop and EDM influences, bombast and emo sensibilities conspicuous on preview tracks which were made available before Kalfornia’s Aug. 14 release.
Falling In Reverse hasn’t had a full-length recording out since 2017’s Coming Home but released the single “Voices in My Head/Zombiefied” in May. Singer Ronnie Radke sounds as on the edge as ever, with the band’s music pushing state-of-the-art production boundaries and blending contemporary styles. Radke’s memoir I Can Explain is set to be released this fall, but until then fans must settle for hearing the Las Vegas native’s lyrics of life experiences live at Rockzilla.
Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, 6 p.m. Aug. 25, starting at $29 plus tax and fee. axs.com
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