Static-X Rocks Sold-Out Roseland Theater in Portland

In 2001, Static-X Released Machine, the sophomore follow-up to their breakthrough debut album, Wisconsin Death Trip. In celebration of the twentieth anniversary of the Machine album, Static-X is currently on tour. We had the privilege of catching them on their second night of the Rise Of The Machine tour at Portland’s Roseland Theater.

Opening for the night was Los Angeles band Society 1. The band put on a solid set, but lead singer Matt Zane’s wild gesticulating and hyper-sexualized gestures left myself, and I’m sure many others, wondering. I believe he would have had a great time performing for an empty room instead.

Fear Factory took the stage second and just seemed a little off. The sound mix was not quite right and throughout the set lead singer Milo Silvestro and guitarist Dino Cazares were trying to adjust their in-ear monitors. You could tell they were struggling. The consummate professionals kept pushing through however and the sold out venue got to experience the new generation of Fear Factory.

Dope got main support billing and when they took the stage, things finally seemed to fall into place. Dope’s cover of “You Spin Me Round” is a total banger and “Die MF Die” was just meant to be played live. Lead singer and namesake Edsel Dope announced that the new Dope album titled Blood Money Part Zero is out now and available for free download on their website at http://dopetheband.com

When Static-X took the stage, the already packed venue actually felt just a little bit bigger. The love and appreciation for the musical legacy that Wayne Static left behind is immense was completely palpable. New front man Xer0 showed off a completely re-designed cyborg-like appearance. The updated Xer0 look – including the new mask and wardrobe – was the result of a collaboration between creative director Edsel Dope, Ed McDonough from ECCO Studios, and Eddie Yang. The team absolutely hit it out of the park with this look.

Xer0 stepped up onto an elevated podium, rising high above the stage, several feet above the crowd, his robot-like movements puncutated by his brutal vocal delivery. Static-X opened with “Permanence”, their 19 song setlist containing 6 tracks from the Machine album. During the performance of “Cold”, images of Wayne Static as well as messages of dedication were displayed on the enormous LED panels. Also included in the setlist was “Terrible Lie”, their metal interpretation of the NIN hit.

This tour has been selling out. Clearly, there is a lot more Static-X that needs to be heard. Founding members Tony Campos, Koichi Fukada, and Ken Jay are in peak form and lead singer Xer0 is the embodiment of the spirit of Wayne Static. Make sure to get yourself out to enjoy this incredible show.

Setlist from Portland: