Taste Of Chaos. These three words when combined should incite fear in all but the most hardened of music gorging metal heads. For me, the name alone leaves my mouth simply salivating at the prospect of tasting the musical flavours of chaos. It’s a four-course banquet of bedlam no self-disrespecting, music loving maniac should ever overlook. This year, Taste Of Chaos 2010 is quite literally the ultimate heavy rock and metal mixed grill.

Regardless of how you hear about an upcoming gig; whether you browse online, flick through a magazine or like me, hear it word of mouth from a conversation behind you on the number 12 bus, if a band you admire is playing live near you, the chances are you’ll get to hear about it. So, when I discovered David Draiman was finally dragging Disturbed (and his trademark growls) back to the UK, in excitement, I almost gave the two greasy Goth girls conversing behind me an uncontrollable sloppy kiss... hey, I love Disturbed!

To catch one of your favourite bands performing live is an exceptional thing. No words can describe the sensation felt when seeing your musical icons performing the sounds you adore, right in front of your passionate eyes and ears. What’s even more exceptional is when the main supporting act turns out to be another band you unequivocally admire and would do anything (and I mean ANYTHING!) to secure a ticket for. Two favourable bands isn’t unheard of but three of your favourite bands appearing together is just plain lucky. You can imagine my heart-pounding surprise then when I jumped off that number 12 bus, ran home like an escaped convict on the lam and checked online to find not one or two but four of my current favourite bands were all appearing together on one visiting tour, and all for the measly cost of two KFC bargain buckets – finger licking awesome!

So here I am in a frosted Glasgow, having driven cautiously over roads resembling ice rinks, to be here tonight at one of the greatest tours my battered ears has ever heard of. I’m pressed up against the crush barrier with only a few hulking Scottish security staff and a handful of press photographers standing against me and the impressive main platform. In five short hours I will have tasted the chaos brought on by female-fronted Halestorm, glam-tinged rockers Buckcherry, the ever resilient Papa Roach and the dominating Disturbed – bring it the fuck on!


Halestorm arrive not so much like a sudden ear pounding storm of hail but instead akin to a fine breeze as the beautiful Lzzy Hale steps out on to the darkened stage and begins to belt out the opening of ‘It’s Not You.’ Clearly, this is the calm before the storm and every blue and white blooded metal head here can sense the impending assault. The rest of the band (including her sibling and drummer Arejay Hale) arrive to a noisy applause and proceed to complete a striking rendition of this captivating opening song. A couple of head-banging tracks in and the heartbreaking ‘Familiar Taste Of Poison’ ushers on a small bout of visual theatrics. Lzzy puts in a poignant performance heightened by her clasping a large empty wine glass and a bottle of liquid toxin. As she pretends to swallow the deathly contents before acting out her own demise, the theatrics coupled with the songs lingering lyrics and her haunting vocals are enough to evoke a stream of tears from even the toughest of winter-kilt-wearing Scots – beautifully compelling.


Straight after, her brother Arejay is presented centre spotlight with a theatrical drum solo where, mid flow, he swaps his standard sticks for two giant sized baseball bats and continues to bash out a respectable beat to the amazement of this gob-smacked crowd. What we’re then left with is two final songs from their sensational self titled début album. The electric ‘Dirty Work’ presents Lzzy’s scowling growl in all its potent glory which is then followed by a crowd stamping rendition of the sleazily fierce ‘I Get Off,’ with both tracks delivered like a grizzly bear hug to the senses. This was a superb opening from a passionate young band.


Buckcherry are up next, swaggering onto stage and clearly aiming to get this gig going, Hollywood style. Opening with ‘Tired Of You’ followed by ‘Rescue Me’ (two tracks off earlier effort Black Butterfly) it appears vocalist Josh Todd and his band of party-hardened rockers have chosen to strut down the fan pleasing, identifiable track route. It’s an energetic, electrifying opening and one that generates a resonant sing-along. Third track in and we get to hear one of their new, more lyrically mature sounding songs (more mature for these wild sex, drugs and rock and roll addicts anyway) in the form of ‘All Night Long’ (a song with lyrical references to raucous sex but not as distasteful as their downright dirty ‘Crazy Bitch’).

At mid way through their sexually charged set, a clear sounding Josh Todd proclaims to this sea of euphoric individuals “you know about the cocaine?” Either he’s recently watched Danny Boyle’s Trainspotting whilst travelling on his tour bus or he always opens up next track ‘Lit Up’ with the same confident verbal outburst. Either way, ‘Lit Up’ brings about one almighty contribution from this vocal crowd, with the chorus “I love the cocaine” echoing around this arena which now resembles one giant confessional booth full of ex Blue Peter presenters.


Next they play the wholly fitting ‘It’s A Party’ followed by a much livelier than the name suggests, ‘Dead,’ which are two further new tracks featuring on their most recent release All Night Long. “We’ve got time for one more” announces a now shirtless, impressively inked Josh Todd. Before he can name the track the crowd use what’s left of their tattered voices to scream out “Crazy Bitch” in thunderous unity. “You want the Crazy Bitch do you?” replies Josh. Before our unified voice box can muster a response, Buckcherry burst into the unmistakable opening notes of their most famously filthy track. A sleazy end to an even sleazier show and one I wouldn’t have expected (or wanted) any other way.

So far so incredible, if a little tame, as the tantalising taste of chaos (as promoted in the tour title) has been rather bland, and up until now, missing from the mixture. Bless the metal gods of mayhem then for the arrival of Papa Roach who storm the stage like an enraged bull through an antique china shop. The crowd go crazy as wacky front man Jacoby Shaddix and the rest of Papa Roach break straight into crippling new track ‘Kick In The Teeth’ from their most recent aptly titled album Time For Annihilation. I’ve been a follower of Papa Roach since their pioneering nu-metal days... hell, they even shaped my own teenage style with the likes of baggy jeans and chain linked wallets, and as such I’ve stuck with them through all their troubled turmoil and sizeable sound changes. Having lost count of how many times I’ve seen Papa Roach perform live, I’d since become weary of their energetic yet identikit performances and seemingly scripted outbursts. Tonight however, choosing to open with new track ‘Kick In The Teeth’ offers just that; a refreshingly welcomed size 10 boot to the face that arouses pounding new passion for the irremovable Papa Roach.


What proceeds is a packed set bursting with alternating new and old classics alike. The rather melancholic ‘Lifeline’ is followed by upbeat new song ‘One Track Mind’ and then the beautifully written, tear jerking ‘Scars’ is followed by third new track ‘The Enemy.’ Fizzing furiously like a shaken can of soda; Jacoby sprints, leaps and even rolls across the floor of this wide open stage, asserting himself as one of the best live entertainers in rock today. Jerry and Tobin swap sides respectively, thrusting their guitars towards thousands of outstretched fingers and Jacoby pushes on, regardless of the sweat streaming down his guy-liner smeared face. Further on and our elated ears are awarded fourth new track of the night ‘Burn’ followed by a loud, crowd pleasing sing-along session of ‘Hollywood Whore.’

The numerous flying fists around my face combined with the sea of sweat soaked bodies crowd surfing overhead prove Papa Roach have indeed brought the chaos, but surely nothing tonight so far has compared to what’s about to go down. As the opening notes of early angst ridden anthem ‘Between Angels And Insects’ begins, the entire arena erupts parallel to the collective force of every active volcano on this planet. To say this track still packs a punch after all these years is the biggest understatement since my best friend declared Infest was simply a good début album! Utter chaos ensues and for the first time tonight this incredible tour finally lives up to its intimidating name. Now running on fumes, we are all ready to welcome the set break with wide open (almost broken) arms; however Papa Roach aren’t done with us yet. Having just enough time for one final onslaught, the unmistakable sound of ‘Last Resort’ shoots through the speakers, and like a shot of epinephrine plunged deep into the heart, causes every physically drained person here to attain new spirit. A chaotic conclusion and one which has reignited my pleasure for seeing Papa Roach perform live!


For the first time tonight the huge overhanging curtain impedes our sight of this large stage; unsure of what to expect, we can only assume frantic crew members are hurrying to set up for the main event. The auditorium lights defuse and expectedly the bruised crowd explode in a mixed ocean of cheers, screams and palm crippling applause. As the curtain is released it falls on the unsuspecting security guards who have all been surveying this boisterous crowd like a pack of starved wolves. A monolithic staggered video wall begins to play with some seriously mind blowing imagery. As Disturbed calmly enter the fray, a domineering David Draiman dressed in an industrial boiler suit, seemingly glides into view, with his unmistakable iconic double lip piercing glistening in the spotlights. At this moment I feel like I’m in my own Final Destination movie as a vision of the impending mayhem plays in my mind.


Breaking into new track ‘Remnants’ and then second new track ‘Asylum’ (as they appear in order on their latest album release), this collection of Glasgow’s most rabid fans rip apart the air with arm straining fist pumping. David’s mesmerizing voice has never sounded better and fused with Mike’s earth quaking drumming, Dan and John’s chugging guitar riffs and the face melting stage display ensures this ostentatious opening is an assault on all the senses. ‘Prayer’ ushers out the first bout of roof raising participation from this choir like crowd who are clearly in full worshipping form. ‘Liberate,’ ‘Land Of Confusion’ and then another new song ‘The Animal’ are all greeted with the same almost uncontrollable ovation.

The generous set list tonight seems to be a celebration of the past ten years. ‘Stricken’ is followed by fourth new track ‘Another Way To Die’ and then classic anthem ‘Stupify’ precedes a dose of aptly titled ‘Ten Thousand Fists.’ So much could be said about each one of these epic metal master works but by now I’m guessing you’re getting as drained from reading this as I was experiencing it. So, after an intense rendition of ‘Indestructible’ we come to the climatic modern metal classic that is ‘Down With The Sickness.’ The heartfelt intensity discharged from the stage is simply electrifying and fired right back at them tenfold. If Papa Roach brought the chaos, Disturbed are bringing the end of days. It becomes too intense for some as person after battered person are lifted to safety over the well worn barrier. For me it becomes almost impossible to snap further photos but I choose to ride it out and thankfully get to experience one of the most passionate, powerful and spine tingling performances of my whole gig going career.


Experiencing David’s disturbing emotional reaction at the moment he growls “No mommy, don’t do it again, I’ll be a good boy,” the shivers sent shooting down my spine are as if the grim reaper himself has whispered in my ear. Towards the end of these immortal metal lyrics, David is on his knees, acting out the painful words in such a way he proceeds to (softly) punch himself in the face before belting out “Never stick your hand in my face again bitch, FUCK YOU!” Those who know the song will appreciate the intensity and timeless nature of these wholly disturbing lyrics. Those who were lucky enough to experience this Taste Of Chaos tour will appreciate the incredible raw power Disturbed bring to the stage. Those who have never seen Disturbed perform live - next time you’re browsing online, flicking through a magazine or eavesdropping on public transport and you learn Disturbed are back in the UK, grab a ticket and make sure you don’t miss out. Certainly our biggest taste of chaos yet!