October 12, 2007
Stuff

Two of the biggest names in rock teamed up at Vector Arena as Linkin Park and Chris Cornell performed in front of a sold out crowd. Reviewer Chris Schulz was there.

Are you ready to scream? Chris Cornell, Linkin Park's Chester Bennington and 12,000 fans certainly were, as two of the biggest voices in rock tested Vector Arena's acoustics in an unlikely double bill.

When it comes to iconic voices, they don't get much bigger than Chris Cornell. The now-solo former front man for Soundgarden and Audioslave is instantly recognisable by a generation of classic rock fans.

Cornell used that status to his advantage as he played a greatest hits set with his new band, including tracks from throughout his career.

While a sluggish version of Black Hole Sun did little to show off his voice, the ballad Be Yourself saw Cornell crooning like Al Green and had the crowd singing along in unison. "Beautifully sung" was his short compliment. You too, Chris.

Tracks from Cornell's recent solo album Carry On were less memorable, and Cochise proved his band couldn't match the sonic power of Audioslave - no matter how many scissor-kicks and jumping-on-the-spot theatrics they pulled off.

But a fiery set-closing Rusty Cage had Cornell adopting a wide-legged rock stance to belt out a spine-tingling chorus with an extended throaty roar that served as a challenge to Linkin Park.

They were up for it. Playing on a stage set up like a scrap metal junkyard, Linkin Park emerged as shadowy figures behind a white drop cloth before belting out a thrilling version of Given Up.

That included the first of what would be many of front man Chester Bennington's window-threatening screams as he yelled "put me out of my misery". Things aren't that bad, are they buddy?

The band continued to keep the energy up with a series of grunty numbers from their first two albums, including Lying From You, Numb and Papercut, as rapper Mike Shinoda added a second layer of vocals and furry guitarist Brad Delson kept the riffs flying.

During the more intense moments, Chester flew around the stage in a near frenzy, bouncing back and forwards while uttering those guttural trade mark screams. He obviously hasn't learnt how to pace himself.

With an adrenalized start like that, it seemed like Linkin Park might actually raise the arena's roof. But then came the come down.

It started with the U2-style bombast of What I've Done and No More Sorrow, tracks from the band's underwhelming recent album Minutes to Midnight. Mike then sat down at a keyboard, Chester picked up the mic and the rest of the band left the stage for an overlong series of ballads.

One or two is permissible, but four? This wasn't a Rod Stewart gig.

Thankfully, a hit-packed encore helped make up for the tepid end to the set, as the band's signature hit One Step Closer started a mosh pit slam dance. In the End and an extended version of Bleed It Out - complete with drum solo - finished things off, as Chester's voice started showing signs of strain after two hours of non-stop abuse.

Fans trying to keep up with his effort - especially on a night that also included Chris Cornell - would have been seriously in need of a throat lozenge or two. Strepsils, anyone?