Sunday at Riot Fest brought an intense mix of metal, mud, and mayhem. Kicking off the day, Games We Play performed a lively set, though it was a bit of déjà vu for those who caught their aftershow with State Champs the night before. Lamb of God turned things up several notches, blasting the crowd with pyro perfectly timed to the beat of their relentless drumming. The chaos in the pit reflected the music—huge mud pits formed throughout the day, leading to an epic scene of people slipping, falling, and still moshing with abandon. Their set kicked off with one of the first few songs “Omerta,” when the crowd shouted in unison with vocalist Randy Blythe, “If I live, I will kill you.” Amid the chaos, an inflatable burrito was tossed around the audience, adding a strange sense of Riot fest classic humor to the brutality.
Oliver Tree’s performance brought a bizarre spectacle, as all his band members were dressed as clones of Oliver himself. The absurdity continued when his toupee fell off mid-set, adding to the odd charm. The set featured new material, but the outlandish antics were the real draw.
Rob Zombie turned the festival into a full-on horror spectacle, complete with a giant alien puppet for “F***ing in a UFO” and a host of other monstrous creations. Whether it was ten-foot-tall demons, Krampus, or a towering robot, Zombie’s love for over-the-top theatrics was in full force. His raised drum solo and dramatic rain-soaked performance made for a fittingly spooky atmosphere, as the downpour weeded out some of the weaker audience members but only added to the intensity of his set. Performing atop a skull podium for “Dragula” made his performance feel like a twisted carnival ride. Slayer, however, struggled to keep up the momentum. Their set was preceded by an incredibly long, 10-minute documentary filled with old interviews that felt more like a filler than a proper build-up. By the time they hit the stage at 8:25, after another three-minute intro, it was hard to shake the sense of anticlimax. I went to Riot Fest and all I saw was a Slayer documentary! While Slayer’s legendary status still drew a crowd, the slow start and drawn-out intros left many feeling underwhelmed. Regardless of that, it was a special privilege to be able to witness one of the “big four” legendary thrash metal bands who has shaped metal into the wide-spread genre it is today. Their intense set, characterized by blistering riffs and commanding stage presence, managed to harness the chaotic energy of the festival, captivating the audience and showcasing their status in the metal scene. Their performance brought a sense of finality and fierce excitement, ensuring that the last day ended on a high note for metal fans.
Sunday at Riot Fest was a whirlwind of mud, pyro, and electrifying performances, culminating in a Slayer finale that delivered a powerful and energetic close to the day.
