Lighting Up The Sky with Godsmack, Atreyu and Flat Black at the Amp

MidFL Credit Union Amp, Tampa, FL 2SEP2023

A summer without Godsmack on tour just doesn’t feel right these days. The perennial road artists are back out, and Tampa got one of the last shows with the legendary Atreyu on board.

Opening the show was Flat Black and they will largely join them for the rest of the tour. Despite the thick air and a lack of center monitors, this was a perfect night at the amp!!

Formed back in 2020 when Jason Hook found himself looking to regain his musical focus, the quartet has been igniting stages since its debut. With Hook on lead guitar, Nick Dilitz on bass, Rob Pierce on drums, and Wes Horton as the frontman, the band made themselves some big shoes to fill from the work go. After some word and music was leaked, the hype was huge, but this tour is proving just how legit they are. 

An energetic and “f*ck” filled six-song set into the day, and Flat Black set one hell of a tone for the show. With a cover of the FFDP hit “Wash It All Away” and their own single “It’s Your Lack Of Respect” capping things off, they paid homage to Hook’s past and treated the fans, as well as whetting their appetite for the rest of the night.

While not taking away from Atreyu, Horton announced a meet and greet after the set, and the band followed through, spending roughly 45 minutes with fans. Taking pictures and answering questions, this was the happiest Hook has looked in some time. With the band as a whole meshing like this, they’ll likely be headlining a tour in 2024. 

Up second was Atreyu. Despite multiple lineups throughout the years, these metalcore artists have remained largely dedicated and on the path for years. Drenched in a largely blacked-out stage, the limited red and blue lights with occasional flashes of white light might have been a rough shoot, but it was interesting to watch from the crowd. 

Vocalist Brandon Saller does an excellent job of taking charge of the stage for their opening riff on “Drowning.” While the notes fettered around the amphitheater, the crowd quickly grew restless and jumped right into creating a small pit and joined the band helping them perform the chorus.

As “Save Us” began, the audience got roped into a proper sing-along, and they nailed it. Despite a less-than-sold-out crowd, they made the place sound and feel jam-packed. 

Walking through the crowd, Saller got more people up and moving, as Dan Jacobs and Travis Miguel on guitars and Mac McKnight on bass lit them up!! Getting people to stay into it when it’s Florida “didn’t rain today” humid is never a simple task, but they accomplished it over their 11-song setlist.

While talking about being out on a boat they decided to go with Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance (With Somebody).” While a quick jam, it was pointed out that the biggest and most bearded dudes were rocking out to the idea the most.

Closing the night was Godsmack. After 25 years of entrances, they had to come up with something new, and the double kabuki curtain was a great way to do that. With a video package via DJ Mix Master Mike on the first curtain, then their curtain behind it, they emerged loud and triumphant before their fans.

Comprised of Tony Rombola on lead guitar, Robbie Merrill on bass, Shannon Larkin on drums, and Sully Erna on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, the band has remained unchanged for 20 years.

In that time, these four have developed a close personal relationship, and despite reports of this being their last album, they play like they still have 6 more in the tank. Across a 14-song set, the band blazed through hits like “When Legends Rise,” “1000 HP,” and “Cryin’ Like a Bitch!!” in just the first three songs. The headbanging faithful were delighted with this opening trio. 

Getting into “Surrender,” Erna asked the guys to put their muscles to work and to hoist the ladies up. Asking that production effects be turned off, they played as the rest of the audience lit the amp with their cell phones.

Not to be outdone, the “Batalla de Los Tambores” drum-off between Larkin and Erna has reached a new crescendo. While they still play a lot in sync, the battle has elevated, and it is amazing. It could easily be a set of its own. 

Bringing up little headbanger Audrey along with about 8 other kids, Erna had them introduce themselves, and proclaimed “Ladies and gentlemen this is the future of rock and roll!” Ending after their visit, the encore was something else.

Opening with the tear-jerking “Under Your Scars,” Erna reminded the fans of how important their nonprofit is, and how many lives they touch. Keeping people safe, and reminding them there is help is crucial, and something they take seriously. To Prevent ending on a somber note, major favorites “Bulletproof” and “I Stand Alone” rounded out the set.

Continuing through October, this is not a tour you want to miss. Significant in their own way, Flat Black is the biggest shocker of the tour. While anyone who has seen Jason Hook before knows the man can play, it seems like so many were left in the dark about Dilitz, Pierce, and Horton. With their open and easily accessible meet and greets, get a ticket and see this show!!