Review by Val Tapia
Photos by Fred Kuhlman
Promoter: Live Nation (https://www.livenation.com/ )
Venue: Arizona Financial Theatre (https://www.livenation.com/venue/KovZpZAEk7lA/arizona-financial-theatre-events )
Date: Sunday April 5th, 2026
It isn’t often when a live show falls on Easter Sunday. At least, not in recent memory anyway that I can recall.
But for the 3300 rabid fans (in attendance, according to Live Nation staff) of modern metal quintet Lamb of God, they were more than happy (and willing) to leave the holiday behind. Or perhaps they just decided on having a brunch so they could get to the show on Sunday April 5th at Arizona Financial Theatre.
Out in support of the band’s solid new album Into Oblivion, Lamb of God kicked off its 85-minute, 15-song set with the classic “Ruin” (from 2003’s As The Palaces Burn) while wasting no time going into “Laid To Rest” (from 2004’s Ashes of the Wake).
The Richmond, Virginia-based band currently consists of lead vocalist Randy Blythe, guitarists Mark Morton and Willie Adler, bassist John Campbell and drummer Art Cruz.
In classic Lamb of God style, it wasn’t long before Blythe let the audience know his stance on the war in Iran right after “Blood Junkie” and before the title track from In Oblivion. The latter was the first (of three) new songs performed in the paltry set.
“No more wars for oil, motherfuckers! Fuck that shit!”, Blythe stated defiantly. In short order, there was nothing more to add after that.
Compared to the last time they were in town co-headlining with Mastodon in August 2024, this was definitely the stronger of the two shows. Maybe it’s the state and/or mood of the country, I don’t know. But the band’s approach to social commentary in its lyrics is part of the appeal for many fans.
With the amount of “anniversary” tours flooding the circuit these days, it’s great to see a band out there that still wants to create new music to tour behind. Kudos to Lamb of God for getting it right on that front.
I know that influence matters. It’s difficult to see this band and not compare them to what’s come before. To these ears, there’s a lot of Pantera in there, and a little Chuck Billy (of Testament) in Blythe’s growls. Having said that, if you’re going to borrow, borrow from the “best”.
But on this tour, it was clear that Lamb of God does indeed have a sound that’s theirs. I appreciate that more as time has gone forward.
To that point, the musicianship is exceptional and the visuals remained minimal, as it should be. But a 15-song set is absolutely unacceptable for a band that has lasted over 25 years, with ten studio albums released since 2000. It’s time for them to push the set to two hours or twenty songs— whichever comes first.
Like I’ve stated before on Beneath A Desert Sky, if that means doing away with an opening act, so be it. Trust me, the fans would be eternally grateful as well. Or at least, most of them would be. But I digress.
Speaking of the opening acts for Lamb of God (three to be precise), Texas-based Kublai Khan TX pretty much burned through its 35-minute set with mostly songs from its 2024 album Exhibition of Prowess. Opening with “Darwinism” got the moshpit going pretty quick, with no loss of intensity by following it up with the one-minute track “Supreme Ruler”.
Lead vocalist Matt Honeycutt was seemingly in good spirits when he proudly stated that he was “honored” to be opening for “my favorite rock band of all time, Lamb of God“. Again, influence is hard to deny. I’m pretty certain that they won over a few fans with its 12-song set.
New Jersey’s Fit For An Autopsy went over surprisingly well and was arguably a tough act to follow for Kublai Khan. At least going by the response to the band’s 30-minute set.
Songs such as “Lower Purpose”, “It Comes For You” and “The Wretch” had fans in a frenzy in the pit, along with plenty of headbanging among those in the seats. Musically, this was perhaps the “darkest” act of the four on the bill.
Of course, when a band is fourth on the bill, it gets the shortest amount of time to “prove” itself. With that in mind, Ohio-based Sanguisugabogg made the most out its 25-minute time slot. Opening with “Rotted Entanglement” and closing with “Dead as Shit”, the five-song set pulled no punches as far the band’s intent of getting the night started for the metal faithful on that Easter night. I’d say they met that bare minimum, if nothing else.
It should be said that all of the bands hit the stage on time, which is always a plus for any concertgoer. Yes, being punctual (even in rock and roll) will never be “uncool”. No matter what other bands or fans tell you.
With that, what’s the final verdict for Lamb of God? I’ll say four out of five stars. Go see them.
Lamb Of God Photos
Photos © Fred Kuhlman 2026, All Rights Reserved
Kublai Khan TX Photos
Photos © Fred Kuhlman 2026, All Rights Reserved
Fit For An Autopsy Photos
Photos © Fred Kuhlman 2026, All Rights Reserved
Sanguisugabogg Photos
Photos © Fred Kuhlman 2026, All Rights Reserved
Lamb of God set list:
Ruin
Laid To Rest
Blood Junkie
Into Oblivion
Resurrection Man
Grace
Desolation
512
Walk With Me In Hell
Parasocial Christ
Omerta
11th Hour
Memento Mori
Sepsis
Redneck
