Rival Sons

Live at Ozzfest

San Bernardino, CA

September 24th, 2016

Review and photos by Travis Baumann

Rival Sons are a Rock band out of Long Beach, California that have a solid Blues backbone and have had a huge amount of success over the years by getting selected to tour with some of the biggest names in Rock and Metal.

They are touring as main support for the legendary Black Sabbath on their farewell tour "The End". With Sabbath being the final headliners for the Ozzfest this year, Rival Sons were fortunate enough to get a coveted spot on the "Lemmy" main stage right before the mighty Black Label Society featuring guitar god Zakk Wylde.

The Rival Sons lineup features Jay Buchanan vocalizing, Scott Holiday on lead guitar, Mike Miley on drums, and Dave Beste playing bass. They also have Todd Ögren-Brooks as a touring member playing keyboards, tambourine, and backing vocals.

I was unfamiliar with the band prior to the full roster for the Ozzfest being announced, but took the opportunity to check them out prior to the event and found them to play a very soulful, blues-influenced tangent of Hard Rock. While I am more on the Metal side, I could instantly appreciate their talent and style.

Seeing them live is much more interesting than listening to their releases though, primarily due to the level of effort Jay puts in to his vocal delivery. He really brings it, and it looks like he might pop a blood vessel and have stroke right on stage with the emphasis he gives while singing.

Overall, they are a solid band but honestly a bit too Blues Rock and not enough Metal for my main listening tastes.  That being said, I am glad I got a chance to see them as part of the overall Ozzfest experience and I am happy for them that they get to tour with such an awesome band as Black Sabbath.

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