System of a Down -- Clarkston, MI -- August 14th, 2012

[kevindeets]

Deftones opened the show. I never miss them when they come through town. However, they are always much better when they play in clubs as opposed to large venues. I know, I know... what band isn't, right? But it is especially true for Deftones. When I've seen them on big tours (opening for Metallica, Godsmack, Alice In Chains, and KoRn) the crowd just isn't super into them. It has nothing to do w/ the band's performance, but their live energy is 100x better in smaller places. Their set on this tour was still pretty awesome, though. They played a new song called "Rosemary" which was incredible! That seriously may have become my new favorite Deftones song. It reminds me a lot of "Battle Axe." It's a simple song that is heavy as hell w/ awesome guitar & singing. I can't wait for the new record! Toward the end of their set the crowd started to fill the place and really rock out to the songs off of ADRENALINE. They only got a 50-min set, but I'd say their choice of songs was excellent. They rocked the joint. Setlist:

Rocket Skates
Diamond Eyes
Be Quiet & Drive
My Own Summer
Digital Bath
You've Seen the Butcher
Fireal
Engine #9
Rosemary (new song)
Change
Root
7 Words


I hadn't seen System of a Down in over 10 years since the TOXICITY tour, so I was super-excited for their set. First off, I was shocked at the size of the crowd. I mean, here's a band that has basically done nothing in the last 6 years in terms of recording or touring. They have no new music out at all. The place was PACKED! Not an empty seat in the house. That was amazing to me. Hearing the songs off of HYPNOTIZE & MEZMERIZE was like hearing new songs to me b/c I've never heard those songs live. The band seemed to be having a BLAST on stage. The crowd was singing along w/ every single song like they were all huge hits. Honorable mentions for highlights include, "Deer Dance," "Lonely Day," and "Radio/Video," but the award goes to "Suite-Pee," which they sang with Chino from Deftones. That was cool b/c you could tell that both Chino & Serj were having fun singing that song together. This tour was amazing. 10 out of 10. Setlist:

Prison Song
Soldier Side - Intro
B.Y.O.B.
Needles
Deer Dance
Radio/Video
Hypnotize
Question!
Suggestions
Psycho
Chop Suey!
Lonely Day
Bounce
Kill Rock 'n Roll
Lost in Hollywood
Forest
Holy Mountains
Aerials
Tentative
Cigaro
Suite-Pee (w/ Chino Moreno)
War?
Sultans of Swing (Dire Straits cover)
Toxicity
Sugar