Rock on the Range 2011

This year marked the 5th anniversary of the Rock on the Range Festival. The festival is held each year at Columbus Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.  The 2011 festival was run very smoothly and had great weather. This years lineup featured many past participants of the festival. There was a great mix of fan favorite bands both past and present, well known and little known. What I can say for all the bands on this years lineup is that they all gave everything they had. Each performance had the crowds jumping, the pits moshing, and the near 70,000 fans wanting more. Once again the most fun concert of the year. If you have never been I suggest you check it out. The sister festival is held yearly at Canad Inns Stadium in Winnipeg, Canada.

Notable performances:

DISTURBED

Lead singer of Disturbed David Draiman is having a few vocal issues that were heard during this years performance. Though it was noticeable, Draiman still went out on stage and commanded the crowd, possibly better than any other band that played this years festival. Members of Disturbed said that the band is taking measures to help protect Draiman's voice. Even a strict no smoking on the bus policy. That being said Disturbed is an iconic band and again showed us why they are deserving of that title.

Set: 5/5
                                                                                    Favorite song: Down With The Sickness

HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD

I've seen Hollywood Undead several times now and every time I see them I know what to expect. Thats why Hollywood Undead was one of this years best sets. To me past HU songs were all very catchy, but at the same time left you listening to lyrics that were immature sounding at best. Things have changed. Hollywood Undead showed their new sound and showcased the talents of new vocalist Danny Murillo. I really like Murillo as a frontman for the band. He has a much wider vocal range and can sing to any style of music whether it be rock/pop/punk/etc. His vocal ability along side the beats and harmonies of Hollywood Undead are recipe for a better, more mainstream sound i.e. success and it works for them.



Set: 4/5
Favorite song: Been to Hell





AVENGED SEVENFOLD

It had looked like Avenged Sevenfold might drop off of this years Rock on the Range festival after canceling their shows for all three of the days prior due to illness. I think the few days off was the best thing for them because they were AMAZING! From the moment they stepped on stage they electrified the crowd with hit songs, tons of pyrotechnics, and an all around awesome stage presence. When I asked lead guitarist Synyster Gates about the cancellations/illness, he told me "Yea everyone is ok. It's just the end of tour you know? Everyone is getting sick and just feeling like shit. We can make up those other shows, but we can't make up this one." A7X was by far the best I'd ever seen them. That is why they are nothing less than a main stage headliner, now and for years to come.

Set: 5/5
Favorite song: Critical Acclaim


More photos from Rock on the Range 2011


Rock on the Range website - www.rockontherange.com/index.html

Rock on the Range Canada - www.mtsrockontherange.ca/