Activist-Artist OTEP delivers a commanding performance in Lexington with Dropout Kings and Kore Rozzik
Otep Shamaya, more commonly known simply as Otep, is a singer-songwriter, poet, author, and artist. Expertly intertwining her Nu-metal/Rap metal with a laser beam focus on social rights and LGBT rights, Otep delivers a very clear message with her art. Touring in support of their newest album, Kult 45 (about the Kult of the 45th President of the United States and his blatant walking all over our civil liberties), Otep couldn’t have been better.
The evenings set starts off strong with “Battle Ready,” “Lords Of War,” and “Crooked Spoons” in rapid-fire succession and the evening is off to a great start. With the crowd jumping and pouring out energy the band rolls through “Zero” and “My Confession” after which Otep addresses the crowd “this might be one of my favorite shows, thanks for giving so much of yourselves” drawing a huge cheer.
The evening draws to a fantastic finish as Otep closes out the set with “Equal Rights, Equal Lefts”, dedicated to everyone who believes in Equal Rights, followed by a raging cover of Rage Against The Machine’s “Wake Up” and finally “Confrontation.
Providing the main support tonight are Phoenix, Arizona based Dropout Kings. Featuring the dynamic duo of Adam Ramey and Eddie Wellz on vocals, Dropout Kings are liquid energy while rolling through a crazy mix of hip-hop and metal. You see singers at the barriers at shows but it’s not often you see a singer in the middle of the crowd for the whole show and that’s exactly where Adam Ramey stands and the crowd feeds off the energy he is pouring out. It was said that this tour with Otep was their first ever. It will be interesting to see where the Dropout Kings go as they definitely have something special going on.
Opening the evening is Queens, New York-based Kore Rozzik. Touring in support of their brand new album Vengeance Overdrive on Cleopatra Records, Kore Rozzik steamrolls through an all too short set of what can best be described as Metal/Pop Rock. With scorching guitar riffs and a dominating stage presence, Kore Rozzik start the evening off in a great way. Kore Rozzik is- Vocals, Andrei and Lynxx – guitar, Grimi – bass, and Louie – drums. Grimi was not on stage this evening.
