The equation goes something like: Black (Sabbath + Flag) + Thin Lizzy = C.O.C. Corrosion of Conformity has spent decades refining that formula, and their recent double album Good God / Baad Man only reinforces the point. Lysergic metal with boots firmly planted in the mud and fists raised toward the sky. Gnarly-ass shit, in other words.
At Hellfest, Pepper Keenan and Woody Weatherman once again prove themselves to be one of heavy music's great guitar tandems. Sabbathian riffs give way to harmonized leads, bluesy licks and psychedelic detours, all delivered with effortless chemistry. On bass, Bobby "Rock" Landgraf more than rises to the challenge of replacing Mike Dean. Like a modern-day Geezer Butler, he often seems to embark on his own journey rather than merely shadowing the guitars, his growling, distorted low end providing much of the band's crushing groove.
Perhaps it was the heat. Perhaps it was the contact high from the fumes emanating from the pit. Whatever the explanation, Corrosion of Conformity sounds particularly devastating this afternoon. The riffs hit harder, the grooves sink deeper and the psychedelic haze hanging over the Valley stage seems almost tangible.
TesseracT @ Main Stage 2 (Photos, setlist)
Point Mort @ Warzone (Photo)
Queensrÿche @ Main Stage 1 (Photos, review, setlist)
Stoned Jesus @ Valley Stage (Photos, review, setlist)
Bloodywood @ Main Stage 2 (Photos, setlist)
Accept @ Main Stage 1 (Photos, review, setlist)
Sepultura @ Main Stage 2 (Photos, review, setlist)
Helloween @ Main Stage 1 (Photos, review, setlist)
Opeth @ Main Stage 2 (Photos, review, setlist)
Iron Maiden @ Main Stage 1 (Photos, review, setlist)
DAY FOUR
Scour @ Temple Stage (Photos, review, setlist)
Eyehategod @ Valley Stage (Photos, review)
Six Feet Under @ Altar Stage (Photos, review, setlist)
Corrosion Of Conformity @ Valley Stage (Photos, review)
Possessed @ Altar Stage (Photos, setlist)
Agnostic Front @ Warzone - (Photos, setlist)
Acid Bath @Valley Stage (Photos, review, setlist)
Marduk @ Altar Stage (Photos, setlist)
Napalm Death @ Altar Stage (Photos, review, setlist)
Down @ Valley Stage (Photos, review, setlist)