Reno, NV (4/27/25) – Ground Zero – The Grand Sierra Theatre, Reno, Nevada. The somewhat orderly, yet mad scramble to obtain the coveted position “on the rail” began at 7:00 pm as the venue doors opened. Fans filing in were greeted with an enormous Sevendust logo glowing ever so brightly above and yet behind an arsenal of drums onstage. While surveying the crowd, a copious amount of Sevendust t-shirts can be seen. Many of these are shirts showing support for the band’s latest album “Truth Killer.”
As the clock strikes 8:00, the apprehensive crowd erupts into a raucous cheer. This however is simply due to the ticketed start time of the show, as well as abundant excitement. Finally, in true Rockstar fashion, at 8:15 the house lights and blindingly bright Sevendust logo go dark. The lone beam of a flashlight pointed at directly downward can be seen traversing across the floor. Drummer Morgan Rose has now taken his position behind his kit. Next, Clint Lowery, John Connolly and Vince Hornsby file out, waving heartfelt salutations to the crowd as they adjust their instruments.
Enter Lajon Witherspoon! The stage lights come on as the band kicks off with “Pieces” from their 2005 album, “Next.” LJ (Lajon) belts out, “I don’t care if you hate me. I don’t care if you trust me. I don’t care if you blame me.” If anyone in attendance came to get their face melted off, they’re definitely the right place.
Then, I notice Morgan Rose. That arsenal of drums I mentioned, as Morgan sits menacingly and perhaps defiant on his throne behind his kit. His face is painted as if he’s ready for battle. And battle he does! With an onslaught of beats against those taught drum skins. After ‘Pieces’ the effortless transition into “Denial” commences. As the mosh pit chaotically swirls, ‘Denial’ flows into “Praise.”
There was a very touching moment towards the end of the show. As LJ sat on a riser at the very edge of the stage, and everyone squeezed in even closer. He then told the story behind writing “Angel’s Son” for the band’s good friend, Lynn Strait, from the band Snot. Once LJ finished pouring his heart out in story, cellphone flashlights lit up the room, and he poured even more of his heart out performing the song.
Sevendust ended the set with “Black” followed by “Bitch.” The show was not without an encore, however. They appropriately saved “Face to Face” for their triumpant departure. Leaving everyone in attendance screaming, and wanting for even more.
This show could have easily been billed as “Sevendust’s Greatest Hits Live and In Your Face”. There was not a single song that the band performed that was less popular with the crowd than the other. Figuratively, Sevendust struck a match and burned that stage to the ground! They left the Grand Sierra Theatre in a pile of debris and dust. And every single person in attendance was thankful for it! After all, “in dust we trust!”
Note: Although no songs were performed from Sevendust’s latest album, ‘Truth Killer’, I strongly urge you to give it a listen. My favorite songs from the album are, “I Might Let the Devil Win,” “Everything” and “Fence.” I feel that ‘I Might Let the Devil Win’ could either be a sequel to, or the prelude to “Confessions of Hatred” off of the band’s 2007 album “Alpha.” “Everything” is just a badass song, both lyrically and musically. “Fence” is simply straight up, in your face, and hard AF!
Do no altar photos
Copyright Chris Couture Photography
