Friday night at the Bryce Jordan Center:
Thousands of heavy metal fans came to State College to see the last installment of The Pledge of Allegiance Tour that has been touring the nation for the past month and a half with bands such as Slipknot, System of a Down, Rammstein, American Head Charge, Mudvayne and No One.
However, for this show only half of the bands would show up for the show.
With ears ringing from almost four hours of "metal mania," two beleaguered and incensed music fans made their way to their car in the parking lot of the Jordan Center, which cost five dollars to park as a side note.
After taking in a concert each had not quite experienced before, both music fans discussed what they saw and heard.
Music Fan 1: So what did you think of that concert?
Music Fan 2: The Pledge of Allegiance Tour was nothing more than a traveling circus, complete with clowns on stage and heavy metal noise that sounded like organ music underneath the big top, excluding System of a Down.
Music Fan 1: I agree. Waiting an hour for the stage setup for Slipknot was excessive, especially with the two sets of "666" on both sides of the stage.
But at least we got to listen to real music when they played the second album of The Wall twice.
What about the fans at the show?
Music Fan 2: The Bryce Jordan Center was brimming with anger and animosity, but little was offered by the bands as to how to cope with such feelings except to turn to the person standing next to you in and punch them in the face.
Music Fan 1: True. Definitely too much teenage angst. It's kids from middle-class families who hate their parents, but yet look to their parents to buy them the 40-dollar tickets to the concert.
But I did like the political messages and social commentary System of a Down tried to tell the audience, even if no one understood.
Music Fan 2: System of a Down was the only band that brought a message of awareness to worldly events, but sadly that message seemed lost amongst the throngs of "Satan's disciples."
Music Fan 1: True. The rotating drum stage of Slipknot in the shape of a pentagram was ridiculous. I'm always annoyed when I go to a concert and I can't understand the lyrics.
And it's not that I don't like heavy metal music either. Both Tool and Korn put on amazing shows and are good musicians. Slipknot and No One are poor musicians who make up for their lack of music ability by putting on a clown show on stage.
Music Fan 2: It seems to me this sort of music brings out negative emotions in people that either don't know why they're angry or don't have a reason to be angry. And I have nothing good to say about bands that mix incoherent lyrics with aggressive, monotonous power chords.
Music Fan 1: It's sad that with such a nice arena, the Bryce Jordan Center can't entice better bands than No One, Slipknot, Fuel or Britney Spears.
Music Fan 2: I don't know what's scarier — Slipknot's message of hate or Britney Spears' wholesome, yet pornographic persona. Is it better to sell hate or your body?
Personally, I prefer neither. How about we sell good musicianship?
