Sevendust at the Rust Belt -- December 30.
Saturday, December 30, 8 p.m.
The Rust Belt, 533 12th Avenue, East Moline IL
Touring in support of the band's 2023 album Truth Killer, a top-three Billboard smash that Metal Injection called "focused and streamlined with plenty of catchy songs and a few surprises," the Grammy-nominated alternative-metal artists of Sevendust return to East Moline venue The Rust Belt on December 30, performing from a repertoire that includes 14 studio albums, one live album, and 36 singles.
The Atlanta-based quintet Sevendust are one of the most prominent nu-metal acts on tour, acclaimed for their aggressive blend of bottom-heavy riffs and soulful, accessible melodies delivered by vocalist Lajon Witherspoon. Formed in 1994 by bassist Vince Hornsby, drummer Morgan Rose, and guitarist John Connolly, with Witherspoon and guitarist Clint Lowery joining the group after the recording of their first demo, Sevendust unleashed its self-titled debut album in April of 1997, a release that sold only 310 copies in its first week but ultimately achieved gold certification through touring and support from their label TVT Records. Known for the band's heavy riffs, angry vocals, and thrash-like drumming, Sevendust boasted hits such as "Black," "Bitch," and "My Ruin," the latter of which was featured on the Mortal Kombat movie soundtrack and appeared on the Billboard 200 chart, remaining there for 16 weeks.
In August of 1999, the musicians released their second album Home, which peaked at number 19 on the Billboard 200 and featured Skin from Skunk Anansie and Chino Moreno from Deftones as guest vocalists. Two singles from the album, "Denial" and "Waffle,” gave the band added chart success, and Sevendust performed “Waffle” on Late Night with Conan O'Brien. They went on to perform in Woodstock 1999 and have toured with many bands in the 23 years since, among them Korn, Staind, Nonpoint, Reveille, Godsmack, Mudvayne, Mushroomhead, Powerman 5000, Creed, Kid Rock, Machine Head, Limp Bizkit, Disturbed, and Metallica. Sevendust also scored a Grammy nomination for the Kill the Flaw single “Thank You,” with the group's 2020 release Blood & Stone receiving a 10-out-of-10 rating by Audie Ink Radio and a rave for its “tuneful melodies coupled with heavy, cutting riffs.” New Noise, meanwhile, raved that the recording "starts off strong and grows stronger with each track," while Sevendust's July release Truth Killer received four stars from Cryptic Rock for the musicians "continuing to set the standard by delivering thought-provoking lyricism and infectious orchestration while still managing to find ways to experiment and innovate."
Sevendust plays its December 30 engagement with opening sets by 10 Years, Burden of the Sky, and CORE, admission to the 8 p.m. concert begins at $44.75, and more information and tickets are available by visiting TheRustBeltQC.com.
