Wednesday’s highly anticipated Volbeat / Municipal Waste show at the Hollywood Palladium was one hell of a rock and roll party. Fans drove in from all parts Southern California (and beyond) to enjoy their favorite bands at one of the southland’s most legendary venues. Both Volbeat and Municipal Waste electrified a near-capacity crowd with killer sets that satisfied even the pickiest of fans in attendance. Ladies and Gentlemen, live music is back in the City of Angels!
I’m not sure who paired Municipal Waste with Volbeat on their 2021 Fall Tour as these two bands (and fan bases) could not be more different. My initial thoughts were that this tour would be fraught with peril based on what I knew about the bands, coupled with dramatic social media reactions I had been monitoring for weeks leading up to the show. However, I was pleasantly surprised after the dust had settled on Wednesday evening that this strange combination of bedfellows actually worked. Here are some of my impressions.
First up at the Palladium were thrash metal legends, Municipal Waste. I’m honestly not a huge fan of the genre, but their show gave me something to consider as they literally crushed an abbreviated set in front of a tightly packed GA floor. Circle pits started early and continued often through rippers like “Mind Eraser,” “Headbanger Face Rip,” and “The Art of Partying.” These songs flipped a switch in their fans, and sheer madness ensued. Much respect to Municipal Waste on their amazing performance Wednesday night—I’m your newest fan.
Now onto the night’s main attraction, Volbeat. Hailing from Denmark, this quartet took the metal world by storm back in 2001 and never looked back. Their sound is a unique fusion of rock, metal, and rockabilly that stands alone in a world full of all too similar bands. Their fans (Rebels & Angels) are diehards and travel from all parts of the world to see these guys perform live. Wednesday’s Hollywood stop was no different and nothing short of spectacular.
Michael Poulsen (vocals / rhythm guitar), Jon Larsen (drums), Rob Caggiano (lead guitar), and Kasper Boye Larsen (bass) kicked off the night’s mammoth 20-song set with “The Devil’s Bleeding Crown,” and this banger sounded amazing. Having not toured for 18+ months, Volbeat were super dialed in and it only got better as the evening progressed.
Some of my favorites from the show included “Doc Holliday,” “Dead But Rising,” and “Don’t Tread On Me” (a Metallica Cover). A four-song encore put an exclamation point on the show with fan favorites “Hallelujah Goat,” “Die to Live,” “Seal the Deal,” and “Still Counting.” It was a perfect way to close out one killer night of rock ‘n’ roll—Hollywood style.
MUNICIPAL WASTE
