One Center Square gets it right for The Metal Alliance Tour

Josie Janci

On Saturday, September 30, I went to One Center Square in Easton to see a show. I had been there 3-4 times already and like to note the progression in the newly opened concert venue. Tonight’s gig was a slam dunk for promoter Tom Taylor and One Center Square.

The METAL ALLIANCE TOUR Featuring: Overkill had special guests Crowbar, Havok, Symetria, & War for the Crown opening for them. Each and every member of each and every band was right on the mark Saturday night. The show was amazing from start to finish and the fans showed their approval as metal fans often do –by forming a nice solid slam dancing pit!

I was deep in it when the slam dancing was getting ready to start. I left after a short time realizing I was probably just cramping the style of the guys in there. Sweet Fernando of the band Symetria took the dubiously heroic role of protecting me in the pit until I wisely gave him a chance to enjoy himself and split. (I heard it got really crazy after that!) Each band was on the top of their game, the sound was magnificent, the energy contageous and the fans respectful. No problems, no drunks harassing anyone, no fights—just a perfectly thrashing evening for all.

Upper level with additional bar was 1zst time I’d seen it and it’s great addition. Not only did it allow space for a hundred more people to view the band from above where you could look directly over the stage and see the band; but it was the perfect set up for the merch tables. Nicely done OCS!

All the opening bands performed on the top of their game, War for the Crown was a great band to lead off the night , they were engaging and excited and the crowd began to feel the same way, just in time for Symetria to heat up the night. Lead vocalist Vince and the band worked in typical musically professional style with killer lead guitar riffs and a drummer and bassist that leaves the beats in your memories for days. Havok’s thrash/death metal wound up the energy meter to 11, just in time for Crowbar to make their death metal tunes heard. Crowbar is an excellent metal band with an engaging frontman in Kirk, who has as much fun with the audience as he does on stage. Go see them if you have the chance!

When Overkill came on stage, I took a moment to look around; typical metal show, 80% guys (Lucky Josie!) and 20% of the hottest chicks you’ll ever see in one place, but this time was a little different. I’d have to call the average age of the audience out on this one. … Maybe 45 yrs old??? Yep, that seems right. Why, you may wonder…Overkill is my answer. This 80's thrash metal band are legends from our neighboring state of NJ that formed in 1980. The 80’s, The decade that bands like the “big four” were getting their well-deserved “moment in the sun”. (Big four is Anthrax, Megadeath, Metallica and Slayer – the bands accredited to giving metal it’s mainstream respect)

Led by frontman Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth and bassist D.D. Verni, the lineup also features guitarists Dave Linsk and Derek Tailer along with drummer Ron Lipnicki. Overkill formed out of New Jersey in 1980 and became one of the most successful East Coast thrash metal bands to date. They’ve recorded eighteen studio albums, with the latest being The Grinding Wheel released just last month to great reviews. They are as fun to watch today as the videos I saw from decades ago and they were as energetic and excited as the audience. After an hour and a half set, they left no one wanting more….what a great evening. Thanks One Center Square for getting it all together in time for this event and special thanks to the amazing bands that performed tonight. Off to see the sandman…exit light…enter night….

Setlist courtesy of setlist.com