Following their summer tour around Europe, Rap Metal band Limp Bizkit returned state side this fall for a month long tour with Machine Gun Kelly and Blvck Ceiling. Gearing up for the release of their forthcoming seventh studio album, Stampede of the Disco Elephants, the band made stops along the West Coast, Midwest, and wound down in successful run in the North East. Returning to the familiar surroundings in Huntington, NY, Limp Bizkit arrived back at The Paramount for the second time in the past two years on Monday October 6th for a ruckus evening Long Islanders were ready to partake in.
Warming up the audience early was Spokane, WA’s DJ, Blvck Ceiling. Spinning tunes with heavy beats that had people grooving as they arrived for the show, DJ Blvck Ceiling has an interesting style well-worth checking out. Following his set, the crowd were ready for rapper Machine Gun Kelly. Coming from Cleveland, OH, this rapper has been on the scene for many years now and made a name for himself with fierce lyrical styling. Spending time on Vans Warped Tour in 2012 and releasing his eighth studio album, Black Flag, in 2013, Machine Gun Kelly has been a hot ticket to catch live.
Arriving on stage with a Guy Fawkes mask on, standing atop a podium, Machine Gun Kelly looked down on an amped-up audience and began with “See My Tears.” Moving about the stage with ease, he flowed into other favorites like “Breaking News” and “Chip Off the Block.” Showing his ability to entertain an audience in more facets than one, Machine Gun Kelly did the unthinkable climbing a top the balcony next to the stage and walking around the railing on the upper level with no regard for injuring. Making it through the defying stunt unmarked, the audience cheered loudly and it was easy to see the rappers enduring qualities to fans. Busting out “Swing Life Away,” “Invincible,” and “Wild Boy” among others, there was not a dull moment while the lightening fast speed of Kelly’s groove was spot on. The entertaining, hyperactive performance concluded, satisfying fans with “Mind of a Stoner,” “Peso,” and “Sail.” Keeping the audience’s interest from start to finish, Machine Gun Kelly is an act that needs to be witnessed live.
With The Paramount packed full of fans that had their skulls rattled by Machine Gun Kelly, they anxiously awaited the main attraction, Limp Bizkit. Looking around the surrounding areas, many recognized faces were back at the venue for round two of Limp Bizkit after experiencing performance in April of 2013. While the band has always provoked polarized feelings, love them or hate them, they always seem to make headlines over their storied career. Taking popular music by storm back in 1997 with the tremendously successful Three Dollar Bill, Y’all$, it appeared that was merely the tip of the iceberg, as it followed with four more multi-platinum albums. Becoming the face of the Nu-Metal scene, Limp Bizkit has taken their lumps from critics and less open-minded Metal fans, left still standing tall nearly two decades later with the original line-up of Fred Durst (vocals), Wes Borland (guitars), Sam Rivers (bass), and John Otto (drums). Now with nothing left to prove, but merely rock like only they know how, Limp Bizkit are ready to continue rolling.
Kicking off their set with “9 Teen 90 Nine,” insanity began to ensue on and off the stage. Throwing water into the crowd, bouncing around the stage with immense energy, Durst and company rocked through riff-heavy “Rollin’ (Air Raid Vehicle),” “Hot Dog,” and anthem “My Generation.” While the audience moved around completely enthusiastic through the entire set, Durst spotted a fan dressed as Winnie the Pooh in the crowd and naturally was compelled to invite him on stage. Now with everyone’s favorite bear from “The Hundred Acre Wood” on stage, the moments to follow were simply unforgettable as he stage dived into a sea of people that broke his fall. As they continued their lively set, more easily recognized songs like “Livin’ It Up,” the sore-throat screams of “Eat You Alive,” and “My Way” followed. Borland, as colorful a figure as ever on stage, performed razor sharp guitar riffs matching Rivers earth-shattering bass and Otto’s slamming drums.
As the mosh pits continued with force, the performance marched on with a blistering cover of Rage Against The Machines’ “Killing in the Name” right before the explosive George Michael cover of “Faith.” Making the track their own back in 1997, Limp Bizkit devoted the same passion to the rendition as many may remember from the live broadcast of 1999’s Woodstock. With a few moments, the audience were able to catch their breath during the smooth rapping of Mission: Impossible II (2000) theme song “Take a Look Around” before being plumped with set closer “Break Stuff,” which had the adrenaline level up a notch with everyone singing along.
Limp Bizkit compiled a set that was full of intensity from start to finish. Silencing naysayers, this band put on one hell of a show and are certainly still a relevant asset to heavy music. With this run concluded, Limp Bizkit head to the Far East to rock Knotfest Japan before cruising out on Shiprocked in February.
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