Words – CeeCee
Photos – Ben Gunzburg
The energy was off the charts as two legendary metal acts, Kerry King and Mastodon, rocked Melbourne for a night to remember. Both bands brought their unique flair and intense presence, creating an unforgettable experience for the fans before the big event Good Things Festival on Friday 6th of December.
Kerry King, with his unmistakable fiery attitude, kicked off his set with Mark Osegueda’s hyped-up pep talk: “Remind us where the fuck we’re at. You hear me? Let’s fucking do this!” The audience was immediately thrown into the chaos as the mosh pit erupted with Slayer’s blistering “Repentless” cover. But the highlights didn’t stop there—Kerry King and the band paid tribute to the late Paul Di’Anno with a powerful rendition of Iron Maiden’s “Killers,” a fitting nod to the heavy metal legend we lost just over a month ago. The show continued with fiery anthems like “Toxic,” tackling the state of the world’s politics, and a devastating track about war “Shrapnel”.
The crowd was a whirlwind of energy, igniting into a massive circle pit when the iconic riff of Slayer’s “Raining Blood” hit. As the set reached its climax, Mark Osegueda turned up the heat, urging the crowd to give security something to complain about: “Do you understand me?” With that, they launched into the title track off their latest album “From Hell I Raise”. The intensity was palpable—this was Kerry King’s world, and we were all just along for the ride. The first show in Melbourne was a smash hit, and the fans loved every second.
Next up, Mastodon took to the stage, setting the tone with their high-octane opener, “Blood and Thunder.” The crowd erupted in excitement as Troy Sanders greeted Melbourne warmly, reminiscing on the band’s long-awaited return after six years. His words resonated with the fans, especially when he mentioned the 20-year anniversary of their groundbreaking Leviathan album. “Tonight, we’re going to play it from top to bottom for all of you,” he announced, and the crowd went wild in anticipation.
Mastodon’s set delivered exactly what fans were hoping for, including a mesmerising performance of “Iron Tasks”. Brann Dailor brought a unique moment with the band’s final song from the album, “Joseph Merrick,” encouraging the crowd to sway along with their phone lights to the instrumental masterpiece while a spotlight hit Brent Hinds. As the night progressed, Mastodon kept the momentum going, rolling through fan favourites like “Crystal Skull,” “Pushing Tides,” and “More Than I Could Chew,” each song perfectly capturing the band’s signature mix of heavy riffs and intricate musicianship.
The night concluded with the band expressing their gratitude to the crowd. Brann, in his usual comedic fashion, thanked the fans, cracked a few jokes, and threw out a huge stack of drumsticks as a token of appreciation. It was a fitting end to a night filled with intense performances and shared love for metal, leaving the stage the song “Goodbye Horses” started playing over the speakers which I thought was a funny touch to end the night.
Both Kerry King and Mastodon delivered unforgettable shows, each band showcasing their legacy while giving fans a night to remember. From Kerry King’s aggressive thrash to Mastodon’s intricate heaviness, the night was a true celebration of metal’s power.
Thank you to the crew at Good Things, Destroy All Lines and Northcote Theatre for putting on an amazing show and allowing us to cover it.
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