On Saturday, September 7, the PNC Bank Arts Center in New Jersey was treated to a powerhouse lineup of rock and industrial legends, featuring Filter, Ministry, Alice Cooper, and Rob Zombie. The diverse crowd, a mix of metalheads, goths, and rockers, gathered for a night of electrifying performances, each act bringing its signature style and energy to the stage.
Filter Opens with Grunge-Industrial Anthems
Filter kicked off the evening, setting the tone with their grunge-tinged industrial sound. Opening with “You Walk Away,” the band immediately captured the crowd’s attention. Their setlist included fan-favorite hits like “Take My Picture” and the iconic “Hey Man, Nice Shot,” which sent waves of nostalgia through the audience. Richard Patrick’s intense vocals and the band’s tight instrumentation delivered a strong start, with plenty of sing-alongs and headbanging from the early crowd.
Ministry took the stage next, delivering a relentless barrage of industrial metal. Al Jourgensen and company wasted no time diving into their gritty catalog with tracks like “Stigmata,” “Just One Fix,” and the iconic “Jesus Built My Hotrod.” The band’s machine-like precision and pounding beats had the crowd entranced, while Jourgensen’s snarling vocals added an extra layer of chaos to the performance. With their dark, aggressive sound and pulsating light show, Ministry left a lasting impact, keeping the energy at a fever pitch for the next act.
Alice Cooper’s Theatrical Horror Show Steals the Spotlight
The legendary Alice Cooper, at 76 years old, proved he’s still the undisputed king of shock rock. Entering the stage through a massive “Banned in New Jersey” newspaper, Cooper launched into “Lock Me Up,” immediately immersing the crowd in his signature blend of rock and theatrical horror. Backed by a stellar band, Cooper’s set was filled with classic hits like “No More Mr. Nice Guy,” “I’m Eighteen,” and “Poison,” each song complemented by a dizzying array of visual spectacles.
From impaling a paparazzo to draping a boa constrictor around his neck and battling a Jason Voorhees-style monster, Cooper’s showmanship was on full display. The crowd was particularly captivated by “The Ballad of Dwight Fry,” where Cooper, in a straitjacket, met a chilling end at the guillotine – only to return for an explosive rendition of “School’s Out” to close out his set. His energy, despite his age, was awe-inspiring, leaving fans thrilled and cheering for more.
Rob Zombie’s Horror Extravaganza Caps Off the Night
Rob Zombie closed out the night with his high-octane, horror-infused set. Bursting onto the stage with “Demon Speeding” Zombie’s performance was a technicolor feast for the eyes, featuring scenes from his horror films and retro visual effects flashing behind him. The crowd was treated to a wild ride through Zombie’s discography with songs like “Living Dead Girl” and “Superbeast.”
Though longtime guitarist John 5 was absent, having joined Mötley Crüe, Zombie’s current lineup – Mike Riggs on guitar, Rob “Blasko” Nicholson on bass, and Ginger Fish on drums – delivered a blistering performance that kept the energy sky-high. Zombie’s stage presence, with his high kicks and dramatic flair, kept the crowd engaged, dancing, and screaming for more until the very end.
Rob Zombie Setlist: Demon Speeding, Super Charger-Heaven, Feel So Numb, Well, Everybody’s Fucking In A UFO, What Lurks on Channel X?, Superbeast, The Lords of Salem, Dead City Radio and the New Gods of Supertown, The Triumph of King Freak, Drum Solo, The Satanic Rites of Blacula, More Human Than Human, Living Dead Girl, Thunder Kiss ’65, Dragula
Alice Cooper Setlist: Lock Me Up, No More Mr Nice Guy, I’m Eighteen, Under My Wheels, Billion Dollar Babies, Hey Stoopid, He’s Back, Snakebite, Feed My Frankenstein, Poison, Guitar Solo, Black Widow Jam, Ballad of Dwight Fry, Killer/I Love the Dead, Elected, Schools Out
