Metal met mourning on a sweltering Thursday night as three pillars of heavy music converged on Richmond’s newest concert destination. What unfolded was more than just another metal show – it was both a celebration and a requiem, a proper inauguration of the Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront, and a night that reminded everyone why live metal remains an irreplaceable force. Amid black armbands and spontaneous sing-alongs to Sabbath classics, thousands of fans came together to honor the spirit of heavy music and pay homage to Ozzy Osbourne, whose passing earlier that week rippled through the crowd like thunder.
The Venue: Richmond’s New Temple of Sound
The Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront sits majestically along the James River, its modern design contrasting beautifully with the industrial heritage that birthed Richmond’s metal scene. The venue’s acoustics proved exceptional throughout the evening, handling everything from subtle bass drops to ear-splitting guitar solos with remarkable clarity. The amphitheater’s layout provided excellent sight lines from every section, while the spacious pit area allowed for the kind of organized chaos that makes metal shows memorable.
Hatebreed: Hardcore With Purpose
Opening the night with surgical aggression, Hatebreed wasted no time plunging the crowd into a frenzy. Vocalist Jamey Jasta was in peak form, commanding circle pits and delivering his trademark intensity with renewed purpose on this emotionally charged evening.
Complete Setlist:
- I Will Be Heard
- Make the Demons Obey
- Tear It Down
- Perseverance
- This Is Now
- Looking Down the Barrel of Today
- Before Dishonor
- Proven
- Smash Your Enemies
- As Diehard as They Come
- Destroy Everything
Opening with the anthemic “I Will Be Heard,” Hatebreed set the tone for the evening with crushing intensity. The crowd exploded as Jasta’s commanding voice delivered the song’s empowering message. “Perseverance” hit like a sledgehammer, while “Looking Down the Barrel of Today” showcased the band’s ability to blend crushing heaviness with accessible hooks. Standout moments included the circle pit-inducing “Destroy Everything” and the anthemic “Live for This,” which had the entire amphitheater moving as one organism. The band’s stripped-down brutality and relentless energy proved once again why they’re one of the most enduring forces in hardcore, leaving the amphitheater primed and energized for GWAR’s theatrical assault.
Jasta’s between-song speeches about perseverance and overcoming adversity hit particularly hard in a city that knows something about resilience. The band’s performance was tight and professional, showcasing the kind of consistency that has kept them relevant for over two decades. Their set served as the perfect foundation for the theatrical chaos and hometown heroics that would follow.
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GWAR: 40 Years of Blood, Satire, and Hometown Chaos
Richmond’s own GWAR celebrated four decades of sonic chaos and artistic mayhem with a twisted hometown spectacle. The moment Richmond had been waiting for arrived as their most notorious musical exports descended upon their home venue like conquering aliens, transforming the pristine amphitheater stage into a theater of elaborate gore and political satire.
Complete Setlist:
- Fuck This Place
- Metal Metal Land
- El Presidente
- Time for Death
- Womb With a View
- The Salaminizer
- Jack the World
- Slap U Around
- Viking Death Machine
- Immortal Corrupter
- Lot Lizard
- Gor-Gor
- Sick of You
Opening with the perfectly titled “Fuck This Place” (delivered with tongue firmly in cheek to their beloved hometown), GWAR launched into their chaotic spectacle. “Metal Metal Land” had the crowd chanting along, while “El Presidente” featured the gruesome stage execution of political figures that had the audience roaring approval. The band delivered all the gore fans have come to expect – Elon Musk was beheaded in spectacular fashion, a foam Trump was split in half, and during “Gor-Gor,” their prehistoric mascot rampaged across the stage in elaborate costume. “Viking Death Machine” brought out elaborate props and stage combat, while “The Salaminizer” showcased GWAR’s ability to blend absurd humor with crushing metal. Beneath the carnage was a heartfelt sense of legacy; for many fans, this was more than a show — it was an anniversary party for an institution. They closed with “Sick of You,” leaving the stage – and the first several rows of fans – completely drenched in their signature “blood” mixture.
The crowd’s reaction to seeing their hometown anti-heroes on the new stage was electric. Richmond knows GWAR like no other city can, and the mutual appreciation between band and audience was palpable. Every grotesque moment was met with roars of approval, every theatrical kill celebrated like a hometown touchdown.
From a musical standpoint, GWAR proved that beneath the elaborate costumes and stage antics lies a legitimately powerful metal band. The guitar work was precise and punishing, the rhythm section thunderous, and the vocal delivery appropriately menacing. This wasn’t just spectacle – it was spectacle backed by serious musical chops.
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Lamb of God: Elegy and Fury
The stage lights dimmed, and an electric anticipation filled the amphitheater. When Lamb of God took the stage, it was clear this was no ordinary show – this was a homecoming of the highest order, where grief would be transformed into thunder.
Complete Setlist:
- Resurrection Man
- Ditch
- Walk With Me in Hell
- Ruin
- Now You’ve Got Something to Die For
- A Devil in God’s Country
- The Subtle Arts of Murder and Persuasion
- Blacken the Cursed Sun
- 11th Hour
- Remorse Is for the Dead
- O.D.H.G.A.B.F.E.
- Memento Mori
- Laid to Rest
- Children of the Grave (Black Sabbath cover) – Dedicated to Ozzy Osbourne
- Redneck
The band erupted with “Resurrection Man,” opening their set with crushing precision and power. “Walk With Me in Hell” had the entire amphitheater moving as one organism, while “Now You’ve Got Something to Die For” showcased their ability to blend melody with devastating heaviness.
“A Devil in God’s Country” demonstrated their southern-tinged approach to extreme metal, while “The Subtle Arts of Murder and Persuasion” highlighted their progressive evolution. “Blacken the Cursed Sun” created a wall of sound that seemed to shake the venue’s foundations, and “Laid to Rest” stood as one of the evening’s most crushing moments.
The emotional centerpiece came with “Children of the Grave.” When Blythe dedicated the Black Sabbath cover to Ozzy Osbourne, who had passed just two days earlier, the entire venue united in a moment of reverent celebration. The performance transcended mere tribute – it was a eulogy delivered with crushing power and genuine emotion.
They closed with the crowd-favorite “Redneck,” sending the Richmond faithful home with voices hoarse and hearts full, having witnessed not just a concert, but a piece of metal history.
The Performance: Randy Blythe commanded the stage like a man possessed, channeling a guttural blend of sorrow and rage into every scream. Fresh off their appearance at Black Sabbath’s farewell show in Birmingham, the band carried themselves with the weight of recent history and the confidence of musicians who had recently shared the stage with their heroes.
The Ozzy Tribute: The evening’s most powerful moment came during their spine-chilling tribute. When Blythe dedicated “Children of the Grave” to Ozzy Osbourne, who had passed just two days earlier, the entire venue united in a moment of reverent celebration. The performance transcended mere tribute – it was a eulogy delivered with crushing power and genuine emotion, leaving the crowd stunned and tearful.
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Technical Excellence and Emotional Resonance
From a production standpoint, the show was flawless. The sound engineering handled the punishing volume levels without distortion, allowing each band’s sonic signature to shine through clearly. The lighting design enhanced each performance without overwhelming it, and the venue’s natural acoustics proved they could handle anything from whispered vocals to thunderous double bass.
Security managed the controlled chaos expertly, allowing the pit to function as it should while ensuring everyone’s safety.
A Historic Evening for Richmond Metal
This concert will be remembered as a defining moment for both the venue and Richmond’s metal legacy. The Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront proved it could handle the intensity, spectacle, and raw emotion that defines great metal shows. More importantly, it established itself as a worthy home for the caliber of heavy music Richmond has always deserved.
For the thousands in attendance, this was one of those rare shows that creates lifelong memories. The combination of hometown pride, musical excellence, and emotional resonance created something that transcended the typical concert experience. It was a celebration of Richmond’s contribution to heavy music, a proper christening of the city’s new premier venue, and a reminder that metal’s power lies not just in its sound, but in its ability to create community.
Standout Moments:
- Hatebreed’s motivational hardcore setting the perfect tone
- GWAR’s blood-soaked homecoming spectacle
- Lamb of God’s emotionally charged “Children of the Grave” tribute
- The collective energy of a hometown crowd witnessing history
- The venue’s flawless handling of three distinctly different metal acts
Bottom Line: The Allianz Amphitheater became more than a venue—it transformed into a temple for metal’s many faces: aggression, satire, catharsis, and reverence. Hatebreed laid the foundation, GWAR splattered it in crimson, and Lamb of God inscribed its epitaph. If this show proved anything, it’s that Richmond continues to be a beating heart of the heavy music scene, even as it says goodbye to one of its gods. A perfect storm of venue, lineup, hometown energy, and historical significance created an unforgettable evening that transcended the typical concert experience.
