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I went to see Stone Sour a hard rock outfit from Des Moines IOWA last week at the Manchester Apollo, UK. It was the second time I had seen them live and they, again, blew me away. Stone Sour are a five piece from the USA, consisting of most recognisebly Cory Taylor and James Root from notorious metal band, Slipknot. They mix styles of music between songs from extremely heavy songs like ‘30/30-150’ and ‘Orchids’ to softer, more relaxed songs such as ‘Bother’ and ‘Through Glass’, both they do very well.
At the Manchester gig tehy had two fanstastric support bands, Forever Never came on first and with a brutal set they truly warme dthe crowd up before Flyleaf came in with a slightly softer sound, impressive none the less.
Stone Sour come on stage to the synth riff of Europes ‘Final COuntdown’ before suddenly kicking in with ‘30/30-150’, the pouning drum and guitar with powerful vocals combining to make a metal classic, I believe that there is no better song for a live band to open with. After a few more songs of this nature and constant crowd banter from Cory Taylor whos wit wins over the fans who werent too keen before,who got dragged to this gig by friends before slipping into ‘Sillyworld’ which has a slightly softer feel to it. This couldnt have happened at a better time as the crowd particularly needing a sing-a-long after the constant brutal assaults from the heavier songs. When this song finishes, the band leave the stage, all exept for Cory Taylor who shows his talent further by receiving an electro acoustic guitar from a roady. The crowd chants his name with passion and after a short speach he plays the brilliant riff of ‘Bother’. Lighters and phones are thrust into the hot air above the crowds heads as he melodies us all. He asks us what we would like to hear next before surprisingly kicking into teh first verse and chorus of Lynard SKynard’s ‘Sweet Home Alabama’, much to teh crowds delight before cracking up into laughter. Then he pust on a serious expression and plays a song that obivously meens alot to him in his cover of finish melodic metallers HIM’s ‘Wicked Game’. This couldnt have gone down better, as soon as this song finishes, Cory plays ‘Through Glass’, possibley the bands biggest hit to date before half way through the song his band come back onstage and assist him with the last half of the song. After this there are some more heavy songs to finish the night with, when the band leave the stage to Roy Mayorgas incredible drum solo, there is a cheer like no other.
Stone Sour never fail to impress live, they have their set to a tee and have given everyone a fantastic night.