Papa Roach and Stone Sour at O2 Academy Brixton 10/12/12

Opening with ‘Still Swinin’’ from their latest album ‘The Connection’, Papa Roach instantly proved the crowd were in for an incredible night of live music. Jacoby Shaddix’s vocals were on top form, and he seemed genuinely excited to be on stage and perform for the first UK date of their December tour. They played a well-varied setlist, including ‘…To Be Loved’, ‘Getting Away With Murder’ and possibly their most famous song, ‘Scars’. Ending their set with the angry anthem ‘Last Resort’, they played a great set for fans both old and new. Papa Roach are a hugely underrated live band and put on a strong live show.

Stone Sour rocked the world in October with their new album ‘House of Gold and Bones – Part One’, and tonight in London they rocked the whole of the O2 Academy. Corey Taylor has an incredible stage presence; it’s almost impossible to take your eyes of him whilst he’s singing. With both strong screaming vocals and softer singing vocals, he’s the ultimate metal singer. Stone Sour opened their set with ‘Gone Sovereign’ and ‘Absolute Zero’, the first two songs from their latest album. Partway through their set Corey Taylor exclusively revealed that  the rumors were in fact true: Stone Sour are playing at Download Festival at Donington Park in 2013. Jim Root is an incredible guitarist and makes even the hardest of riffs look effortless. Stone Sour played a great setlist, packed full of both old and new songs, including ‘Orchids’, ‘Made of Scars’ and ‘Reborn’. ‘A Rumor of Skin’, one of their newer songs, is incredibly powerful to watch live and the crowd definitely enjoyed themselves, with moshpits filling the sold-out O2 Academy. For the encore Corey Taylor came on stage with an acoustic guitar and played songs such as ‘Bother’ and ‘Through Glass’, which was very moving. Stone Sour are amazing live, and their set at Download Festival is definitely not one to be missed!

Check out Papa Roach here: http://www.facebook.com/paparoach?fref=ts
Check out Stone Sour here: http://www.facebook.com/stonesour?fref=ts