Nu-Metal Refuses to Die: Nonpoint, Spineshank and (HED)pe Tear Up The Rave in Milwaukee

A Saturday night in Cream City was just what the nu-metal gods ordered. Fans came out early to line up behind the historic Rave/Eagles Club. The parking lot was busier than ever, with people enjoying the waning summer light as a light rain began to roll into town. Whether it was sharing beverages around a trunk or sitting in line, it was a moment where people were together. Milwaukee’s rich history of tailgating extends to every situation possible.

With three events filling the venue, people from all different walks of life waited to enter the facility, but the metal show was the first to let people in. The side door was used as the main entrance, and as you walked in and down the ramp, you entered the Rave 2 rooms and hallways for the security check before being ushered up into the box office. From there, the ticket check led you out into the courtyard, where various food trucks and beverage stands were open.

Heading back into the venue, the tour merchandise was set up in the Rave Bar. To the right, the craft beer lounge served as the main entrance into the Rave Room, where Nonpoint brought everyone out to party.

Opening the show was (HED)pe, who have never slowed down as the genre all but disappeared. Their longevity is a testament to hard work and dedication to keeping the music alive, and with this being a reunion of nu-metal glory, the band performed tracks strictly from the 2000 release, Broke. The room began to swell as (HED)pe launched into “Jesus (of Nazareth).” All of the nostalgia flooded the room, but uniquely, the front barricade was filled with those from Gen Z and Gen Alpha. They knew the material and let loose.

The band’s lone founder, Jared Gomes, has been the creative force for the last thirty-two years. Broke was the album that stood the test of time, and performing songs like “Killing Time,” “Waiting To Die,” and “I Got You” during the middle portion had the crowd bouncing and thrashing around. Those aggressive grooves took over the Rave.

Check out the (HED)pe concert photo gallery here:

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Gomes took a few moments at one point to speak about how great we are as people. He talked about how his family came to this country as immigrants from Brazil and made a life for him, and now his son is off to college. In politically charged times, he has never shied away from telling his story and how this album gave him a life of his own. That led into “Feel Good.” The brash nature of the band and their music is what makes them different. Their style is harsh, direct, and still fresh. Closing with “Bartender,” they let the room sing with them. The single still has a massive impact to this day.

Spineshank has once again risen from the ashes to bring their brand of industrial nu metal to the eager masses. With the resurgence of interest in heavy music and nu metal in general, the band deciding to hit the road once again came as a shock to many, but also a desire to most who love the genre. Starting out with “Astmatic” and “Synthetic” from The Height of Callousness, the Rave’s floor turned into a raging mosh pit. Those familiar sounds and digital backings made the ears happy.

Frontman Jonny Santos‘ voice was in fine form. Twenty-six years later, these songs are crushing the historic venue like they are brand new to listeners. In fact, many people commented on how it was their first time ever seeing the band, which was expected from the youth in the crowd, but it even brought out the old heads.

Understanding this made their time even more important without them even knowing it. “Violent Mood Swings” and “Smothered,” off of Self-Destructive Patterns from 2003, brought Spineshank back to the height of their popularity, and Santos took a few minutes to talk about the band’s return and how they are old and still kicking. Then he introduced the next song, “Beginning of the End,” by saying, “This song is about loss, and everybody has been lost, so I need a candlelight vigil. Take out your cell phones and light it up. This next song, you know it, was off the Freddy vs. Jason soundtrack. It’s called The Beginning of the End.” Cell phone lights filled the space as Spineshank unloaded the familiar song.

Around Santos, Tommy Decker was behind the kit, and he didn’t skip a beat. His arms slammed in rapid fire. His son, Tommy Decker Jr., manned the guitar duties, and Jason Hager assumed the low-end rumblings as Robert Garcia stepped away from the tour. This four-piece is a cohesive unit, and their sound and energy are perfect. Their gratitude toward everyone working and attending was mentioned multiple times. This meant more than just another show on the road. It was a reason to continue delivering for an eager following.

Check out the Spineshank concert photo gallery here:

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Spineshank was well aware of this, and in an almost impossible fashion, they upped their energy as they tore through “New Disease” and “The Height of Callousness” to roaring applause. Closing with “Dead To Me” kept the rowdy Milwaukee audience brawling on the main floor as Santos barked commands and jumped around the stage. This was the Spineshank many of us remember and the one that many will now remember. Their set was so good, the chants of “Spine. Shank” rang out through the room and surrounding hallways.

In a pitch-black venue, an introduction came over the sound system. Nonpoint slowly took to the stage with Elias Soriano grabbing the microphone and screaming “Milwaukee” as the rest of the band launched into “Ruthless.” The blast rushed over the audience like a nu-metal shockwave. The crowd’s enthusiastic singing of “Ruthless” during the chorus rang in the ears. “Milwaukee, in all of the places you could’ve found yourself this evening, you found yourself here tonight. I think it’s safe to say we love Wisconsin. I have it tattooed in places I cannot mention.” The laughter filled the air, and he continued for a bit as the drum roll from Robb Rivera grew louder until they were fully into “Buscandome.”

With the new album The Last Word coming in September, Nonpoint added two new songs as a preview. The songs “Is It” and “Red Yeti” connected instantly. With Soriano egging on the pit to “get moving,” he jumped around the front of the stage with plenty of zeal. The middle of the set also included “Chaos and Earthquakes,” “Dodge Your Destiny,” and “Breaking Skin.” With Jaysin Zeilstra and Rasheed Thomas as the guitarists on each side of the stage, they each let loose in their own ways.

Thomas slings his dreadlocks around and stomps his feet, while Zeilstra moves around the entire left side of the stage. They let the music control their movements. Bassist Adam Woloszyn stands with one foot up on the center riser shared with Soriano. His imposing size looms over the front of the security barrier. Behind him, Robb Rivera demolishes his kit in a sideways setup to the front of the stage. His snare snaps are quick and repetitive punches. The band as a whole is that well-oiled machine running at peak performance.

This is where the night really took off for Nonpoint. They brought the show back to the beginning, back to their first full-length released in 2000. The aggressive nature of “Mindtrip” had the old timers take to the pit and join in, slamming around with the kids. The band’s precision and fire were the same as they were when the album was released, but the real explosion came when their monster single “What A Day” came about. The explosion of joy overtook the room as the lights flashed and the band flexed their mighty muscles. The singing almost drowned out Soriano’s vocals. That is an impressive feat in a smaller room like the Rave. The storybook style of lyricism is something out of old-school hip hop and is infectious, but a two-song medley impressed the most.

Check out the Nonpoint concert photo gallery here:

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Before heading into a blending of “Victim” and “Endure,” the band thanked the other artists, fans, and venue and then said, “You can send this to your boss, your landlord, your grocery bill, and the insurance company. Get your middle fingers in the air.” Then, with a cymbal crash, Soriano screamed, “Fuck that,” and it was off and running again. His dread flew around as he ran along the front ledge, pointing and almost guiding the pit into action. There is a lot of heart and love toward the fan base. That earnestness is admirable, and as they closed with “My Last Dying Breath” and the timeless “Bullet With a Name,” they gave everything they had left.

With the resurgence of nu-metal and 2000s rock, Nonpoint are the perfect band to help usher it in. They haven’t slowed down once. A road warrior’s attitude and great songwriting help cultivate their following and routine tour stops in Wisconsin. This night blended everything one could’ve asked for, and with the Rave being the host, the experience was simply elevated.

Catch Nonpoint on the Road…