Static-X performs at The Sylvee in Madison, WI on Feb. 26, 2024.
Nearing the end of the second leg of the ever-popular Machine Killer Tour, Static-X and Sevendust make their way to Madison, Wisconsin for another sold out show.
An early Monday show still saw the crowd fill out The Sylvee in Madison, Wisconsin not long after doors opened. Wisconsin-based rockers Lines of Loyalty took the opening slot on the tour, kicking things off with a short set that gave the audience time to get situated, get into the mood of the night, and enjoy a few beers. The barricade and pit was already packed, giving them a nice-sized crowd to play for, and while they weren’t the main attraction, quite a few people knew of them locally and could sing along to a few of their tracks.
As the ticketing and merch lines continued to snake all throughout the venue, Dope hit the stage, starting things off with the heavy-hitting “Blood Money.” With singer Edsel Dope pulling double-duty for the night with both Dope and Static-X, their set was about the same length as the opening artist. They still filled it up with their fan favorites, and ended with a rendition of “You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)” by Dead or Alive.
Sevendust performs at The Sylvee in Madison, WI on Feb. 26, 2024.
Co-headliners Sevendust started things off, emerging from the cloud of fog that they had pumped into the venue. The hour-long set saw them move across a multitude of heavy tracks from their extensive discography, with the fans making the most of it and starting their moshing to tracks like “Enemy” and “Splinter.” Sevendust always has had an aggressive sound, from their fast-paced guitar riffs and Morgan Rose’s violent drumming, but vocalist Lajon Witherspoon’s vocals are unique in both being forceful and loud, but also quite emotional and melodic at the same time. He, and the rest of the group, bring a great deal of presence to the stage as well, with so much fan interaction and appreciation that when Witherspoon calls the crowd a “family,” you really see what he means.
Snow began to fall on the stage as a large pumpkin-headed creature shambled onto the stage. The lights went red, and the eyes glowed, looking like a scene straight out of a Tim Burton film. Xer0, the regeneration of Static-X’s late frontman Wayne Static, appears on a podium as the group launched into their set. Early moments saw the group tackle a large number of tracks from their hit album Wisconsin Death Trip, and then moved to pull the best of the best from their discography. While not exactly like Wayne’s vocals, Xer0 did a fantastic job of paying homage and still replicating the classic Static-X sound. Newer songs “Terminator Oscillator” and “Z0mbie,” which featured Xer0 on studio vocals as well, were also well-received by fans, new and old.
Static-X performs at The Sylvee in Madison, WI on Feb. 26, 2024.
Considering the pace of the unhinged disco metal that are Static-X songs, it felt like the hour set flew by in an instant. With the amount of entertainment value and energy from the set, visuals, and costumes, I could have done with another half an hour of music at the very least. Some fans may be divided on this revival, but they can’t deny the fact that this is an immensely entertaining performance, and isn’t without its successes already, as Static-X and Sevendust are set to start yet another leg of the Machine Killer Tour as 2024 continues.
Photos and Review by Ian Storck – IG @i_storck
