by 
Amnesia Rockfest 2016: NOFX
At this point during Day 1, we caught NOFX, who were as good as always. Underoath, whom a peer told me was to be the show-to-see at Rockfest, but honestly, I thought it was a lukewarm performance at best. But the fans seemed to be 100% into it, and that’s what really matters.
However, said peer had the show-to-see served to him raw when Twisted Sister took the stage. As part of TS’ Forty and Fuck It, The Final Tour, the crowd was pretty much maxed out, extending to the proximity of the adjacent stage, which is some 200 yards away… and Dee Snider worked it like few other frontman can.
Amnesia Rockfest 2016: Twisted Sister
With the exception of “You Can’t Stop Rock and Roll,” TS played nothing but tracks from the album Stay Hungry, and fans were hungry, indeed. Ravenous, in fact, singing along at full volume and doing exactly what Snider told us. We even confirmed for him that we all would rather fuck than rock.
And that’s the thing, the track, “I Wanna Rock,” might be cheesy to some, but no matter who you are, you can’t help but to get caught up in the anthemic qualities. TS extended the play of that song and Dee worked the crowd into a frenzy.
Amnesia Rockfest 2016: Twisted Sister
Then, during “We’re Not Gonna Take It,” Snider stopped the show to address the terrorists of the world, in not so many words. Citing the recent incidents in France, Belgium, somewhere else that I can’t think of, and even Dimebag Darrell’s death, Snider asked the audience to stick their middle fingers in the air and chant to terror makers, “We’re not gonna take it.” Chills, man, chills.
Snider also mentioned the fact that per capita, TS has sold more albums than anywhere else in the world, making Canada TS’ number one fan. AFter several mentions, he seemed a little more than bothered that TS was only given 45 minutes to thank Canada on their last ever show in the country that has given them so much. But that didn’t stop them from putting on one hell of a performance, and probably one of the best I’ve ever seen.
Amnesia Rockfest 2016: Twisted Sister
Also, for prog nerds, having not done my homework I was more than pleased to see Mike Portnoy on drums. Bonus!
It’s also worth noting that prior to Twisted Sister we caught part of Sum 41‘s performance, which is a return for the Canadian pop punk band, and it should be said that Deryck Whibley looks and sounds fantastic since his recovery (and this comes from someone who’s not really a fan at all).
Amnesia Rockfest 2016: Sum 41
Rock Hard \m/
Stay Connected