2004 would prove a pivotal year in the landscape of American metal music. On August 31, 2004, both Lamb of God and Mastodon would deliver respective full length entries in Ashes of the Wake and Leviathan, that have since become modern classics - albums that forever impacted the heavy culture, asserted the breadth of American metal and gone onto become some of their most celebrated presentations. 

Marking the 20th anniversary of the pair of landmark releases, Lamb of God and Mastodon announced plans of a massive summer trek appropriately dubbed, Ashes of Leviathan Tour - of which became one of the most anticipated tours of the calendar year. The ambitious run features both Lamb of God and Mastodon performing their respective masterpieces in full - offering a rare opportunity for fans to bear witness to heavy metal history. 

For Lamb of God, the band's Los Angeles stop of the commemorative tour presented a unique opportunity for drummer Art Cruz to showcase in front of a hometown crowd. Among the highlights of the evening came when Lamb of God would return to the stage for their encore with a rousing version of "Walk With Me In Hell" which directed the spotlight on Cruz, giving him the shine to punctuate the special SoCal set. 

The band's dedicated focus solely to Ashes of the Wake, underscored the durability of an album some two decades deep. Among the anthems like "Now You've Got Something to Die For", "Blood of the Scribe" and "Laid To Rest", the selections took collective hold over the capacity crowd inside the Kia Forum and did not relent. Reaching a crescendo with the album's title track and the closer "Remorse Is For the Dead", Lamb of God revisited their American metal foundation - while still asserting their confident march into culture's future. 

As for the tour's counterparts in Mastodon, Leviathan live remains a spectacle unlike any other in contemporary heavy music. The drive of entries like "Blood and Thunder", Iron Tusk" and "Aqua Dementia" speak to the band's elite level expertise - even two decades ago. The vastness of songs like "Seabeast", "Megalodon" and "Hearts Alive" assert just why the band garnered so much acclaim from the very start. 

Closing out with a three-track encore that touched on different eras of the band ranging from 2021 Hushed and Grim to 2008's Blood Mountain, Mastodon emphasized the consistency of their catalog and that their crushing, complex brand of heft has been their calling card throughout their career. 

The magnitude of an already monumental tour, also featured a walloping supporting roster, touting opening sets from Slayer guitarist Kerry King - embarking on his debut solo tour. Additionally, Sheffield's finest Malevolence delivered a clobbering opening stint that set the tone for the evening - all killer, no filler. 

Check the comprehensive photo gallery of the Los Angeles Ashes of Leviathan Tour stop, captured by photographer Maurice Nunez below. 

See the remaining dates of the Ashes of Leviathan Tour following the gallery. Get tickets - HERE

 

 

LAMB OF GOD

MASTODON

KERRY KING

MALEVOLENCE

 

 

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