Metal Riot

Continuing our two city coverage after Milwaukee, The Missing Link Tour thundered through New York City’s Central Park with Sweden’s protometal quartet Graveyard, with whom I interviewed that afternoon. Riding out the last of the day’s west-falling sunlight was Clutch, strong and heavy as ever in their 20 plus year career. As the night darkened, Mastodon took stage and the arboreal amphitheater, at first a simple stage nestled into a pleasant grove, now became much more ominous and powerful. It looked as if the trees were growing up and inward, reaching down from their stoic and gnarled height. The music cried a cacophony through the limbs and branches for acres and acres through the park. I’m sure neither the 5th Avenue neighbors nor the multitude of smitten couples out on The Lake in rowboats were too pleased. Actually, that sounds like a fucking rad date.

Read on here for the review and pictures.

Obviously, Mother Nature was pissed that Mastodon cancelled, as they haven’t played there since ‘012. Before that, ’09 in Tulsa, OK. More infuriated were the ticket holders, who’s refund wasn’t immediately issued. The promoter originally wanted to honor the tickets at a future date, one far from equivalent. After she heard this, Ma dropped car-drowning flood waters, and they reconsidered. All tickets from The Diamond Ballroom show will be refunded.

Two things Mastodon should learn from this: First, don’t leave Oklahoma without Mom’s permission. Second, ask your previous tour mates Dethklok how to withstand tornadoes, as seen here.[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXFO-gR2ddU[/youtube]

Fortunately, no lives were lost in the capricious weather. If you feel some extra metal in your pocket, Red Cross relief funds can be donated here.

Thanks to StrongBeard for the inside info.

Stay tuned here and our @MetalRiot Instagram for a very special two-night coverage of this tour as it rolls through Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Central Park, New York City late this month.