Ryan Murray | Co-Owner | Chief Editor | Contributor | Photographer
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On the damp and rainy evening of Saturday March 2nd, nearly 1,000 fervent hard rock enthusiasts gathered at Hartford’s historic The Webster, undeterred by the weather. The anticipation for an evening filled with the fiery performances of three exceptional bands was met with resounding success.
Marking my first experience at this venue, the journey was seamless, and the check-in process swift. Navigating my way to the stage, I engaged with security to prepare for capturing the essence of the night. The elevated stage presented a unique challenge, prompting a series of test shots to refine angles and make necessary adjustments.
As the crowd settled into their places and the lights dimmed, an electric atmosphere enveloped the room. Hailing from Maryland, the hard-rock quartet Any Given Sin, comprising Victor Ritchie on vocals, Mike Conner on guitar, Rich Stevenson on bass, and Mike Showalter on drums, took center stage amid thunderous cheers. They tore through the atmosphere, opening with the powerful track “Insidious” from their latest full-length album, “War Within.” While only vaguely acquainted with Any Given Sin before gaining approval for the show, the live rendition of “Insidious” exceeded all expectations.
Characterized by soaring vocals, compelling hooks, metal-infused riffs, and anthems fit for a stadium, Any Given Sin masterfully used their melodic yet intense music to explore unrestrained heart and emotion.
Continuing with selections from “War Within,” the band shared introspective tracks like “Another Life” and the emotionally charged “War Within.” The slow-burning yet highly expressive “Dynamite” captivated the audience.
“Still Sinking” and “The Way I Say Goodbye” sustained the crowd’s enthusiasm, and the caustic “House on Fire” served as a fitting conclusion to their set, delivering a poignant message about the world we inhabit: “Are we strong enough? I don’t believe it’s ever too late. Too late to learn from all the mistakes. Light up the sky and burn all the hate…”
Any Given Sin’s performance not only solidified the band’s current stature, but showcased their rapid rise within the genre.
As Any Given Sin left the stage, the anticipation in the room reached a fever pitch. The atmosphere crackled with energy, and the crowd’s eagerness was met with the entrance of Saint Asonia, ready to elevate the evening to greater heights.
Fronted by the charismatic Adam Gontier, formerly of Three Days Grace, Saint Asonia brought an electrifying presence to The Webster. Gontier’s distinctive vocals, coupled with the powerful instrumentation from Tavis Stanley on guitar, Cale Gontier on bass, and Cody Watkins on drums, created a sonic force that massively resonated throughout the venue.
With this being my second time covering Saint Asonia, I anticipated the coming fireworks, but their performance surpassed even my expectations.
Kicking off with a dynamic mix of tracks from their discography, including “Above it All,” “Better Place,” and “The Hunted” featuring Godsmack’s Sully Erna, the set struck a poignant note. The heartfelt rendition of “The Hunted” added a deeper emotional layer to the night, seamlessly blending melodic hard-rock with raw energy, leaving the audience yearning for more.
Hits like “Chew Me Up,” the powerful “Wolf,” personal favorite “So What,” and “Say Goodbye” continued to electrify and energize the crowd.
Transitioning to older hits from Adam’s Three Days Grace days, the venue erupted when the chords of “Never Too Late” filled the air. As the crowd united in a massive choir, Adam, standing center stage, led the charge. By the last chorus, the entire band joined for a crescendo that had even security at the barricade head-banging and singing along.
The band delivered memorable performances of “I Hate Everything About You,” “Riot,” and Apocalyptica’s “I Don’t Care,” featuring Adam’s vocals from 2008.
Another standout moment came with their hard-hitting cover of The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights,” etching an unforgettable memory in everyone’s minds. The set concluded with the spirited yet emotive performances of “Devastate” and “Let Me Live My Life,” leaving an indelible mark on the evening.
As the lights dimmed for the final time, signaling the arrival of the southern-tinged hard rock powerhouse Black Stone Cherry, the anticipation in the venue reached a fever pitch. The crowd erupted into a deafening sea of excitement as the opening chords of “Me and Mary Jane” tore through the air.
Having never experienced Black Stone Cherry live before, my expectations were based solely on the two songs I knew from a few years back. However, any preconceived notions were quickly shattered as their live performance surpassed anything I had seen or heard. Not only was their sound even more electrifying than on their albums, but their contagious energy swept through the venue, igniting the audience into a frenzy.
From the incendiary energy of “Burnin’” to the infectious grooves of “Again” and “Nervous,” Black Stone Cherry delivered a relentless barrage of hard-hitting tracks that kept the crowd on their feet. The anthemic “White Trash Millionaire,” the soul-stirring “Screamin’ at the Sky,” and the gritty “Like I Roll” resonated with undeniable power, while the soulful rendition of Tracy Chapman’s “Give Me One Reason” added a surprising twist to their setlist.
The recent release “When The Pain Comes” showcased the band’s ability to evolve while staying true to their signature sound. A highlight of the evening was the all-band jam featuring “Can’t You See/In My Blood/Whitehouse Road,” a seamless fusion of classic rock covers that brought the audience to new heights of exhilaration.
As the night drew to a close, Black Stone Cherry unleashed the explosive “Blame It On The Boom Boom” before culminating with the timeless anthem “Lonely Train,” leaving the crowd roaring for more. Their performance was nothing short of spectacular, cementing their status as one of the premier hard rock acts of our time.
Ethereal Metal 
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