Speaking from one’s soul
Drowning Pool, Escape The Fate
„Sinner“ 25th Anniversary World Tour presented by Mind Over Matter Music at Flex Vienna, Austria 20260623
Looking back some years, future visions came from likes of John Carpenter, who’s 2001 movie „Ghosts of Mars“ might have inspired e.g. „Mutantit“ (Harri Jokinen/Randomheads 2012) and is shown at SciFi im Park presented by VOLXKino. In the very same year, a Nu Metal icon unleashed its debut on Wind-Up Records, which makes this night another album anniversary after The Streets and Billy Talent.
Close to the entrance of Flex, two nightliners are parking at the Danube canal. The roof terrace offers space for a cold drink, while In Flames blast from the speakers inside the hall. As support, Escape The Fate enter to Queen’s „Bohemian Rhapsody“. They started off in the mid 2000s. Live, they hit the mark with two singers and light pillars like Ultima Radio.
Between many new songs, the find time to talk to a fan from Brazil and their power animates the (circle) pit and wall of death. A very strong performance with a motivated crowd, even though some might miss other hits like „Ashley“. Then, after some Funk songs like „Brick House“ or „Word Up!“, Kiss herald the musical nostalgic timetravel of 25 years.
With special shirts next to a hoodie and more, Drowning Pool celebrate their milestone „Sinner“. The lyrics of Dave Williams (R.I.P.) pierce through one’s soul: ‚You look at me, but you don’t see – Understand I’m a sinner‘. „Feel Like I Do“, „Step Up“ and Billy Idol’s „Rebel Yell“, those are the moments to feel: ‚There’s nothing left here to talk about‘ repeats in „Mute“.
A highlight in an album full of highlights is „Tear Away“ (‚I don’t care about anyone else but me‘) and the driving „Reminded“ (‚Never felt so unimportant‘). Drowning Pool end with the obligatory „Bodies“ and a beer shower: ‚Nothing wrong with me!‘ The hit was part of the „xXx“ soundtrack next to likes of Hatebreed, QOTSA, Moby, Gavin Rossdale, Anton Karas or Frédéric Chopin.
The show with singer Ryan McCombs (Soil) standing high on a platform makes not only many crowdsurf, but the sound engineer constantly airdrumming. So it is with a lot of joy, as Drowning Pool go off to a dance remix by Sofi Tukker. After their support of Godsmack and P.O.D., it is with great pleasure to witness this special club show. And soon they’ll hit the Summer of ’99 cruise with likes of Breaking Benjamin and Sevendust.