Jonathan Davis shines at Lexington’s Manchester Music Hall with The Birthday Massacre and Julien-K.
In January of this year Korn front man Jonathan Davis released the first single “What It Is” from his upcoming debut solo album Black Labyrinth, getting rave reviews. In May of this year, the same often rumored and highly expected debut solo album, was released through Sumerian Records. Tonight’s show was the final stop of a 21 show, 35-day run that saw the band log almost 15,000 road miles.
On a stage awash in red, drummer Ray Luzier (also from Korn) along with guitarist Chris Nix, and Brian Allen on upright bass take their places on stage as the opening chords of “Underneath My Skin” are played. In the blink of an eye Jonathan Davis bounds on stage, greeted by a rousing cheer and the evening is off to a fast start.
Over the course of the evening, almost all of the Black Labyrinth album is performed including the second released single “Basic Needs”, “Your God” and “What You Believe.” The songs roll easily from the stage and the band seems to be having a great time. Jonathan took a brief moment to address the crowd “What the fuck is up Lexington? Thank You so much for coming out and supporting our new music and losing yourself for an hour and a half” before the guys tear into the hypnotic “Medicate”, along with “Walk on By”, ending their main set with an unconventional yet rocking Neil Diamond cover of “Love on The Rocks.”
Much to the delight of the Lexington fans Jonathan is back out for a two-song encore beginning with an alternative version of “What It Is”, with a definite bluesy vibe to it before closing the evening in an appropriate way with “Happiness” capping a great set and a great evening of music.
Providing the main support this evening are Toronto, Canada based rockers The Birthday Massacre. Roaring on stage with a definite purpose lead singer Chibi, with the voice of an angel, (and occasionally a demon) immediately grabs the room’s attention as The Birthday Massacre open with “Counterpane”; the first of what would be 4 songs from the band’s latest album Under Your Spell. Chibi along with guitarists Rainbow and Falcore, drummer Rhim, keyboardist Owen, and bassist Nate Manor keep the energy in the room high with a knockout set before ending with “In The Dark” and “Blue”
Getting the evening off to a blazing start was Long Beach, California based electronic rock band Julien- K. Anchored by lead singer and guitarist Ryan Shuck and Amir Derakh on guitar and synthesizers/samples Julien-K roll through high energy set that has the entire venue jumping! Toward the end of the set, Ryan takes a minute to address the crowd “this is the last day of our tour with Jonathan Davis and of course our light show isn’t working, We can’t wait to come to perform again for you when we have everything working”. It might seem out of place that a band without a major label is opening for Jonathan Davis. But it seems while a teenager in Bakersfield CA. Ryan met Jonathan Davis and formed a band called Sexart, so they have been friends for going on 30 years now. Way before Julien-K Amir Derakh and Ryan Shuck were founding members of the industrial rock music band Orgy, so it was fitting that Julien-K close their set with probably the biggest Orgy hit “Blue Monday” ending what was a fun and very lively set. Along with Ryan and Amir, Julian-K is Anthony “Fu” Valcic on bass/keyboards, Bidi Cobra on keyboards/ bass and drummer Alex Gonzales.
