Rob Zombie brings Freaks On Parade Tour to Mansfield with special guests Alice Cooper and Filter.
First band of the evening was American rock band formed in 1993 in Cleveland, Ohio, Filter, by singer Richard Patrick, along with guitarist and programmer Brian Liesegang. The band was formed when Patrick desired to start his own band after leaving Nine Inch Nails as their touring guitarist. Their debut album, Short Bus (1995) received platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), supported by the single “Hey Man Nice Shot.” After the album, the band would go through the first of many lineup changes, leaving Patrick as the only consistent member across all releases.
On May 5, 2023, Filter released a second single, “Face Down,” for the once again retitled album, The Algorithm, due out in August 25, 2023. A third single, “Obliteration”, was released on July 14, 2023.
Filter took the stage with a performance that was nothing short of electric. The industrial rock veterans, led by frontman Richard Patrick, delivered a set that not only showcased their musical prowess but also affirmed their status as one of the most enduring bands in the genre. They provided a sonic experience that blended raw energy, emotional intensity, and nostalgia for fans of their early work.
From the opening notes of “You Walk Away,” the band immediately had the crowd in the palm of their hand. Patrick’s voice was as powerful as ever, his raw, throaty delivery cutting through the heavy guitars and electronic textures with an urgency that felt both commanding and intimate. The rhythm section was tight, laying down grooves that were equal parts aggressive and hypnotic. The chemistry of the band was evident, and they performed like a well-oiled machine.
The next band up for the evening was American industrial metal band founded in Chicago, Illinois, in 1981 by producer, singer, and instrumentalist Al Jourgensen. Originally a synth-pop outfit, Ministry evolved into one of the pioneers of industrial rock and industrial metal in the late 1980s.
In February 2024, Jourgensen confirmed in an interview with Loudwire that Ministry will not release any more albums or continue as a band after they release a follow-up to Hopiumforthemasses (which will include Barker), declaring, “I think it’s a good time to stop.” The band entered the studio in June 2024 to begin work on their seventeenth studio album, and announced that same month they were reuniting with multi-instrumentalist Paul Barker 21 years after the latter’s departure.
Ministry stormed the stage last night unleashing a relentless barrage of industrial metal that left the audience reeling in the best way possible. The legendary pioneers, fronted by the iconic Al Jourgensen, proved that after more than three decades, they’ve only become more ferocious with time. Their performance was a masterclass in raw power, intensity, and defiance, reminding everyone in attendance why Ministry remains a towering force in industrial music.
The setlist was a perfect blend of old-school classics and newer material from their latest album, Moral Hygiene. Early hits like “N.W.O.” and “Just One Fix” served as adrenaline-fueled highlights, with the crowd chanting along to every word. These songs, which defined the industrial metal movement of the ’90s, sounded as fierce as ever, filled with a raw, mechanized energy that only Ministry can deliver. The band’s tight, militaristic sound, driven by thunderous drumming and metallic guitar riffs, created an intense, almost apocalyptic atmosphere throughout the night.
As the night drew to a close with a thunderous rendition of “Jesus Built My Hotrod,” the audience was left exhausted but exhilarated. Ministry’s performance was not just a concert; it was a visceral experience, a sonic assault that demanded attention and left a lasting impact. Jourgensen and his bandmates may be veterans of the scene, but their ability to channel their anger into cathartic, punishing music remains undiminished.
The next band of the evening wa none other the infamous Alice Cooper. Alice’s solo career skyrocketed in the late 1970’s, with a succession of hit singles, including “You & Me,” and classic albums, including “Lace And Whiskey” and “From The Inside,” and bigger and even more elaborate concert tours. Alice Cooper pioneered a grandly theatrical brand of hard rock that was designed to shock. Drawing equally from horror movies, vaudeville, and garage rock, the group created a stage show that featured electric chairs, guillotines, fake blood and boa constrictors. He continues to tour regularly, performing shows worldwide with the dark and horror-themed theatrics that he’s best known for.
As the opening first verse and chorus of “Lock Me Up,” started the fans went crazy. He then went into “No More Mister Nice Guy,” and then continued with a few of his greatest hits some of which included, “I’m Eighteen,” “Hey Stoopid,” and “Billion Dollar Babies.”
When the song “He’s Back (The Man Behind The Mask,) A character wearing a Jason mask and holding a machete came on stage pretending to kill a victim only to be carried away by two masked henchmen.
For the next song, “Snakebite,” Cooper brought out a “special friend”, his live boa constrictor, which was wrapped around his neck through out the entire song. The fans were loving this and cheered when they saw the snake come out.
During the song “Feed My Frankenstein,” he brought a huge character that was dressed in chains and all black. He was wondering all around the stage messing with the band members. He had a huge head and larger then life arms that he waved around.
The next part of the show was a highlight of the night was when guitarist Nita Strauss did a guitar solo that was unlike no other. She was on top of the steps playing and then moved about the stage rocking her guitar. This solo showed how much of an outstanding and amazing musician she is. It showed off her talent on the guitar. The fans went crazy!
During “Ballard of Dwight Fry,” Cooper comes out on stage in a straight jacket and the background of the stage makes it look like he is a rubber room. He breaks out of it at the end of the song. The fans screamed with excitement.
For the song “Killer/ I Love The Dead,” they bring out a guillotine and put Cooper’s head into it and then chop off his head. He has being doing this scene for years. Once the head has been cut, his wife, dressed in a white dress with big hair comes and takes the head and roams around the stage with it and at a point even kisses it. The fans were screaming and cheering as his head is being chopped off. It was a crazy scene that the fans througly enjoyed.
During “Elected,” he comes out on a presidents podium and sings on top of it. The background portrays the red white and blue america with Cooper for president flashing on the screen.
For the last song of the evening, he came out in a white suit coat and a top hat. This was one of his biggest hits, “Schools Out For Summer.” During the song they had foam bubbles being sprayed on the stage. Then towards the end of the song giant balls filled with with confetti came onto the stage. He would pop them as they passed by him, one of which hit him on the head and he played on as if nothing happened.
The Final performer of the evening was none other then American singer, songwriter, record producer, filmmaker, and actor Rob Zombie. (Born Robert Bartlehem.) His music and lyrics are notable for their horror and sci-fi themes, and his live shows have been praised for their elaborate shock rock theatricality. He has sold an estimated 15 million albums worldwide. He rose to fame as a founding member and the frontman of heavy metal band White Zombie, with whom he released four albums.
In May 2023, Zombie announced that he has begun working on his eighth solo album, which he hopes to have released by the summer of 2024.
Rob Zombie brought his trademark blend of horror, heavy metal, and over-the-top theatrics, delivering a concert experience that was more than just music—it was a full-blown, high-octane spectacle. From the moment the curtain rose, Zombie and his band commanded the stage with an energy that was larger than life, creating an unforgettable night for every fan in attendance.
The show kicked off with a thunderous performance of “Demon Speeding,” setting the tone for an evening of riff-heavy, groove-laden metal with an unmistakable horror edge. Zombie, ever the showman, took the stage with his signature wild dreadlocks, futuristic biker gear, and an undeniable swagger that had the crowd instantly in the palm of his hand. His raspy, snarling vocals tore through the air as he roamed the stage, whipping the audience into a frenzy.
Rob Zombie’s live performance is known as much for its visual spectacle as for the music, and this show was no exception. Giant screens displayed a dizzying array of psychedelic, horror-themed visuals, including clips from classic B-movies, skulls, and creatures straight out of your nightmares. The stage was filled with larger-than-life props, including massive robots, skeletons, and monsters that towered over the band, enhancing the Halloween-meets-apocalypse atmosphere. Zombie’s love for cinema and shock rock was on full display, making every song feel like its own mini horror film.
The setlist spanned Zombie’s entire career, from early White Zombie hits to his latest solo work. Classics like “Superbeast” and “Living Dead Girl” were obvious crowd favorites, with every fan screaming the lyrics back at him. “More Human than Human” sent shockwaves through the venue, its iconic riff turning the crowd into a mass of headbangers. Zombie’s performance was dynamic, constantly moving from one end of the stage to the other, and his interaction with the audience made the show feel intimate despite its massive scale.
Rob Zombie
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Alice Cooper
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Ministry
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