Papa Roach

They took no prisoners and left nothing on the stage. That best describes how Papa Roach delivered its razor sharp fistful of rage to a sold out crowd at the Starland Ballroom (570 Jernee Mill Rd., Sayreville, NJ) on Nov. 24.

Roach's singer Jacoby Shaddix pulled the band's diehard fans into the show, as they sang along to verses and choruses with complete accuracy. Right on cue, they delivered Shaddix back to the stage after he tumbled into the crowd and drifted on top of a sea of hands.

From the moment he stepped on stage, Shaddix made a clear impact on the young crowd. He made frequent off-stage appearances with his wireless microphone in the left and right sides of the venue. The band and its fans banged its heads and pumped its fists through tracks such as "Time is Running Out," "Scars," "Getting Away With Murder" and "Take Me." Each song was played true to its studio form, but with an authoritative live energy.

After the set concluded, the crowd chanted for the California-based band to sing its hit song, "Last Resort," as if they wouldn't let it leave before doing so. So, they did. The song's riff, heard on radio stations across the country, burst off of Jerry Horton's guitar to start Roach's one-song encore.

Prior to Roach, the Tennessee-based theatrical wizards 10 Years delivered a brilliant collection of meaningful alternative metal to the clearly impressed crowd. Singer Jesse Hasek left imprinted lyrical messages at the Starland through a crisp stage presence and assorted vocal tones. Though its style of music differed from that of Roach, the band played with a similar energy as it climbed stage monitors, thrust their instruments into the air and scampered around the stage.

The five-piece act carried the crowd through a musical journey, while it showcased its depth and proficiency. Hasek sang anthems of human rights issues and the benefits of persistence through life's hardships. Roach and 10 Years are a pair of bands that have survived and thrived on the same persistence and heart that is represented many times in their songs and their delivery of them.

After two final shows with Roach, 10 Years will tour Japan with Dir En Grey before returning to the U.S. and touring with Sevendust.

To open the evening, Meriwether put forth a set of straightforward, raw metal with the melodic, screechy guitar leads of Steve Bergeron. Drew Reilley laid down solid rhythm guitar, while singing true-to-life lyrics with sincerity. Bassist John Barbier locked in tight with the pulsating drum beats of Bret Schexnayder.

The night brought together three bands with unique styles, each that have progressed towards different stages of their careers. Each took charge of their sets like seasoned veterans of the stage. True fans demand a supreme live show from the bands they follow, something which this trio of bands delivered.