The hottest co-headline metal tour of the summer featuring Lamb of God & Mastodon along with Slayer guitarist Kerry King and Malevolence stopped at the KIA Forum in Los Angeles on August 21st. This year marks the 20th anniversary of Lamb of God’s third album Ashes of the Wake and Mastodon’s second album Leviathan.  British Metal band Malevolence opened the show. Next was King with his all-star band of bassist Kyle Sanders (Hellyeah), guitarist Phil Demmel (Machine Head), drummer Paul Bostaph (Slayer), and vocalist Mark Osegueda (Death Angel). This would be King and Bostaph’s first L.A. show since the end of Slayer’s farewell tour in 2019 which took place at the KIA Forum for two nights. King played seven songs off his solo album From Hell I Raise released in May with the same lineup and Slayer songs “Raining Blood” and “Black Magic.” 

Since 2007, Mastodon has had five Grammy nominations and one Grammy win. For 24 years Mastodon has been bassist Troy Sanders, guitarists Brent Hinds and Bill Kelliher, and drummer Brann Dailor. All four members handle vocal duties. All of Leviathan was performed followed by a three song encore of “More Than I Could Chew,” “Circle of Cysquatch,” and “Steambreather.” 

Lamb of God, originally known as Burn the Priest formed 30 years ago with bassist John Campbell and guitarist Mark Morton. Randy Blythe would become lead vocalist and a few years later Willie Adler became the rhythm guitarist. By 2000 the band had become Lamb of God. Art Cruz would take over on drums following original drummer Chris Adler. Since 2007, Lamb of God has received five Grammy nominations. Lamb of God performed Ashes of the Wake” in its entirety followed by a two song encore of “Walk with Me in Hell,” and “Redneck.” Most recently Lamb of God has been touring with Pantera.