Mudvayne – LD50 25th Anniversary Tour | Boston, MA

November 6, 2025

| Tags: Chad Gray, ld 50 tour, Marcus Rafferty, Matt McDonough, MGM Music Hall, Mudvayne, Ryan Martinie, Slipknot, static x, vended

Mudvayne – LD50 25th Anniversary Tour | Boston, MA

PHOTOS AND REVIEW BY NADINE SWIGER

It was a night of nostalgia, energy, and pure Nu-Metal adrenaline as Mudvayne brought their 25th Anniversary of L.D. 50 Tour to the MGM Music Hall at Fenway in Boston. Joined by Static-X, who also celebrated 25 years of their debut album Wisconsin Death Trip, and rising newcomers Vended, the night was a full-circle celebration of heavy music’s evolution and endurance.

Vended kicked off the show, bringing raw energy and youthful aggression straight from Des Moines, Iowa. Their hunger to make their mark was undeniable. With frontman Griffin Taylor, son of Slipknot’s Corey Taylor, and drummer Simon Crahan, son of Shawn “Clown” Crahan, it’s clear that Nu-Metal runs deep in their blood. The influence of Slipknot and Mudvayne was easy to feel, but Vended proved they are more than a legacy act. They’re forging their own brutal, modern sound with confidence and heart, making them the perfect band to open the night.

Next up, Static-X took the stage with a spectacular Halloween-inspired entrance. A giant disco Jack-o’-lantern head loomed over the stage as snowflakes fell from above while Vincent Price’s iconic “Thriller” narration boomed through the speakers. With a flash of red light, the Jack-o’-lantern spun to reveal a wicked grin, and the band tore into “Bled for Days.” Xer0, dressed in a futuristic, space-age outfit complete with a laser eye, captured the spirit of Wayne Static perfectly, keeping his memory and music alive in the best possible way.

The band’s performance was tight, dynamic, and packed with energy. Koichi Fukuda, co-founding guitarist, was an absolute blast to watch as he shredded through riffs with his signature precision and stage charisma. Antonio Campos delivered a fierce and gritty performance on bass, adding a powerful low-end drive that filled the room. Behind the kit, Ken Jay, the band’s original drummer, kept everything locked in with his hard-hitting and precise style. Together, they recreated the chemistry that made Static-X such an influential force.

The setlist was a nostalgic dream, featuring fan favorites like “Wisconsin Death Trip,” “Fix, Love Dump,” “I Am,” “Bien Venidos,” and “Cold.” They wrapped up with the high-octane punch of “I’m With Stupid” and Push It. With confetti, dry-iced bubbles (yes, when they popped, small puffs of fog floated into the air), and theatrical characters joining the stage, it was a full-blown metal celebration and the perfect “Evil Disco Halloween” for Boston.

Then came the main event, Mudvayne. From the moment they launched into their iconic debut single Dig, the crowd erupted. Even after 25 years, the band sounded sharper than ever. Chad Gray’s vocals were ferocious, his screams hit harder than ever, and his clean vocals were just as powerful. Matt McDonough’s drums thundered through the venue, locking in perfectly with Ryan Martinie’s signature bass work, creating the unstoppable rhythm section that defines Mudvayne’s sound.

Although Greg Tribbett was unable to join the tour due to personal tragedy, Marcus Rafferty stepped up on guitar alongside a fill-in rhythm player, keeping the sound tight and authentic. The band’s chemistry and presence showed that time has only strengthened them.

Mudvayne performed songs spanning their entire catalog, taking fans on a journey through their evolution. The setlist included favorites like “Dig,” “Internal Primates Forever,” ‘–1,” “Severed,” “Death Blooms,” “Under My Skin,” and “Nothing to Gein.” Each track hit with precision and passion, bringing back the raw intensity of their early years.

After a short break, the band returned for a powerful seven-song encore that featured newer tracks such as “Dull Boy” and “Sticks and Stones,” alongside timeless fan favorites “World So Cold,” “Determined,” “Not Falling, and Happy?” The encore was the perfect blend of nostalgia and forward momentum, reminding everyone just how far Mudvayne has come while proving they’re still evolving.

For longtime fans, like myself who has followed them since the Tattoo the Earth Tour in the summer of 2000, it was incredible to witness how far they have come. For newer fans, it was a wild, high-energy initiation into the chaos, where fists flew high in the air, a sea of crowd surfing, and mosh pits at their finest. Mudvayne remains one of the most innovative and commanding forces in metal, and their return feels both nostalgic and revitalized.

Here’s to 25 years of L.D. 50 and to the next era. Keep an eye out for Mudvayne’s upcoming album, because if “Sticks and Stones” is any indication, it’s going to hit hard.