By Christopher Crone – Buy us a Coffee on Ko-fi https://ko-fi.com/capitalchaostv
Three hours down to San Jose, three hours back home, and a Monday night spent shooting metal. Some people might think that’s a little crazy. Then again, those people probably aren’t metal fans.
The Ritz had Incite, Nailbomb, and Soulfly on the bill, and I wasn’t about to pass this one up. I was looking forward to seeing Nailbomb live, and with Richie Cavalera opening the show with Incite and his father, Max, headlining with Soulfly, there was a family connection running through the night. So, gear packed and batteries charged, off I went.
Incite got things rolling, and Richie Cavalera wasted no time making his presence known. The guy was all over the stage, working the crowd and delivering vocals with plenty of aggression. The band’s groove-heavy thrash gave the evening a solid start.
Then Richie climbed onto the monitors and speaker stacks.
I had a pretty good idea what was coming next. Sure enough, he launched himself into the air, with stage fog partially swallowing him up as he went airborne. It made for an interesting moment, and Richie clearly wasn’t interested in taking it easy on the opening slot. Incite came out swinging, got the crowd moving, and set the tone for the night.
Nailbomb was one of the bands I was especially looking forward to seeing. Funny enough, I discovered them through a Spotify recommendation. Every once in a while, that algorithm actually earns its keep. When I heard Nailbomb was finally touring the United States, I knew I wanted to catch them live. Originally formed in 1993, the project has a sound that mixes metal, industrial noise, and a whole lot of attitude.
The current lineup featured Travis Stone on vocals, Alex Cha handling samples and electronic elements, Adam Jarvis on drums, and Jackie Cruz on bass. With three-quarters of the lineup coming from Pig Destroyer, these guys weren’t exactly short on experience. Stone’s vocals fit the material, Cha’s electronic elements gave the songs that grinding industrial edge, and Jarvis kept everything moving at a relentless pace. Cruz held down the low end while the band delivered its abrasive blend of metal and industrial chaos.
Nailbomb didn’t need fancy stage tricks or lengthy introductions. The music did the talking, and its raw, mechanical sound provided a nice change of pace from Incite’s more direct approach. I’d gone from discovering Nailbomb online to finally seeing them onstage. After wondering how the project would translate to a live setting, I was glad I made the trip.
Before Soulfly took the stage, I caught up with Metal Mike DeLeon and had him sign one of my favorite shots of him catching air during the band’s previous tour with GWAR. It’s always cool running into somebody you’ve photographed before, especially when you’ve got a photo they’re happy to see.
Then it was time for Soulfly. Max Cavalera has been a fixture in metal for decades, and when he gets onstage with that guitar, you know what you’re getting: heavy riffs, pounding rhythms, and those unmistakable vocals. The Ritz is a smaller room, which made the show feel up close and personal. The crowd responded to the riffs and chants, and the energy in the room kept building as Soulfly worked through its set.
One of the night’s more interesting moments came when Max brought out his berimbau, a traditional Brazilian instrument made from a wooden bow, steel wire, and a hollow gourd that acts as a resonator. Its distinctive sound cuts through the usual wall of guitars and drums. As Max began playing, the crowd joined in with the chanting, creating a moment that felt different from the standard metal-show routine.
The tribal rhythms and Brazilian influences have always been a big part of Soulfly’s identity. The berimbau isn’t just an unusual instrument thrown into the mix; it connects the music to Max’s cultural influences and the themes that have run through the band’s work for years.It’s one of the things that helps Soulfly stand apart from the crowd.
The Cavalera connection was already there with Richie opening the show and Max headlining, but another family connection came into play when Jakobe Moreno joined Soulfly for “Pain.” Jakobe is the son of Deftones frontman Chino Moreno and performed the guest vocal part associated with his father on the song. He had made the same guest appearance during Soulfly’s set at Aftershock the previous night.
It was an interesting addition to the evening, especially with so many family connections running through the lineup. Jakobe brought his own energy to the performance, and seeing a younger generation step into a song with that history behind it made the moment worth remembering. You never know who’s going to turn up during a live set, and guest appearances like this can add something unexpected to a familiar song.
Throughout the rest of the set, Soulfly delivered its mix of heavy grooves, pounding drums, and tribal rhythms. The band sounded tight, and Max kept the crowd involved without making a big production out of every moment. It was a solid finish to a night that had offered three distinctly different takes on heavy music.
WAS IT WORTH THE DRIVE?
Let’s see. Six hours behind the wheel, three bands, and a whole lot of photos waiting for me when I got home. Yeah, I’d say it was worth it. Incite got the night started with plenty of aggression. Nailbomb finally gave me the chance to see a band I’d discovered online and wanted to catch live. Soulfly brought the evening home with Max Cavalera doing what he does, a memorable berimbau moment, and Jakobe Moreno joining the band for “Pain.”
I also got to catch up with Metal Mike and get one of my favorite photos signed. Those little moments are part of what makes covering live music enjoyable. Monday nights aren’t usually when most people plan a six-hour round trip for a concert. But when there’s a lineup worth seeing, you pack the gear, hit the road, and figure you’ll sleep when you get home.
Another night in the books for Capital Chaos TV. And yes, I’d make that drive again.
Categories: Concert Photography
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