The band reunited in 2021 and has been embarking on their first headlining tour this summer.

On a stormy Wednesday afternoon in Peoria, Illinois, fans gathered outside of the town’s Civic Center, preparing for a different kind of storm brewing–the return of heavy metal legends Mudvayne. For the first time in nearly 15 years, the band is currently embarking on a headlining tour with support from the female-fronted Butcher Babies, fellow nu-metal veterans Nonpoint and Coal Chamber, and the intergalactic icons GWAR.

Mudvayne first came onto the heavy metal scene in the early 2000’s, forming in 1996 and releasing their debut album L.D. 50 in August 2000, led by their massive hit single “Dig.” The band continued to find success with four subsequent studio albums–The End of All Things to Come, Lost and Found, The New Game, and Mudvayne respectively– before going on a hiatus in 2010 that would last for 11 years. During that time, the members would embark on new endeavors–vocalist Chad Gray and guitarist Greg Tribbett focused on their metal supergroup Hellyeah (formed in 2006 and on indefinite hiatus following drummer Vinnie Paul’s death and Mudvayne’s reunion), and bassist Ryan Martinie would tour with Korn in 2012. In 2021, Mudvayne reunited and began performing live at various festivals throughout the United States before touring for the first time in 13 years with Rob Zombie, co-headlining his Freaks on Parade tour. Now, it would appear the band is here to stay for the time being, as they have also begun work on new music.

This past July 9th, the band’s sold-out homecoming show would be a night no Mudvayne fan would forget.

The first to take the stage is Butcher Babies. Formed in 2009, the band is fronted by Heidi Shepherd and Carla Harvey and backed by guitarist Henry Flury, bassist Ricky Bonazza, and drummer Chase Brickenden. Their set proves to be a strong warmup for the crowd, with a standout performance of “Monster’s Ball” and powerful growls and screams from both women. Their high-octane set is overall electrifying and an unforgettable potential introduction to new listeners.

Following Butcher Babies is Nonpoint, yet another nu-metal band originating in the late ’90s. Vocalist Elias Soriano’s infectious energy and an overall solid performance from the band catapults the audience back to the early 2000s with a classic sound combining hip hop and metal in true nu-metal fashion. The set is nothing but pure entertainment and provides some ultimate nostalgia for its entire audience, young and old.

Next are the intergalactic space aliens that formed GWAR. For nearly 40 years, the grotesque barbarians have continued to dominate the stage with their dramatic and over-the-top performances, and this night is no different. Between fights with various interplanetary beings that culminated in a literal bloodbath that sprays the crowd (something the band has been notorious for), a public humiliation of a mock Vladimir Putin, and sexual acts performed by and between aliens (also culminating in the audience being sprayed by… a different albeit blue bodily fluid), the band’s set is certainly entertaining. Meanwhile, they perform mostly newer songs, save for the 1990 single “Sick of You,” ending with a cover of AC/DC’s “If You Want Blood, You Got It.”

Coal Chamber is up next, the tour marking their first performance in eight years. Formed in 1992, the nu-metal band has undergone many internal challenges–they have reunited twice after first breaking up in 2003 and reforming in 2011 before disbanding again in 2016 and once again reuniting last year. The band’s performance is absolutely a notable one, their entrance music being the classic tune “Mr. Sandman” that subsequently fades into the Halloween theme music. The band then delves into their 1997 debut hit “Loco.” Their 11-track setlist would consist of a majority of songs from their 1997 self-titled debut album and their 2002 third album, Dark Days. What was perhaps most notable, though, is the energizing stage presence of each individual member; Dez Fafara leading the charge with strong vocals, bassist Nadja Peulen’s fiery headbanging, guitarist Miguel “Meegs” Rascón’s absolute restlessness onstage and charisma, along with drummer Mikey “Bug” Cox’s expressive and spot-on, hard-hitting performance makes for nothing less than pure entertainment.

Finally, after great anticipation and four solid supporting acts, Mudvayne takes the stage. Kicking things off with a strong performance of their popular 2002 track, “Not Falling,” they subsequently launch into “Under My Skin” and “Internal Primates Forever,” with vocalist Chad Gray leaping offstage and into the pit of enthusiastic fans.

“Do you guys wanna sing a song with me?” Gray growls into the microphone after returning to the stage, before asking the cheering crowd to take out their phones and light up the venue, setting up the scene for their ballad (a loose term for Mudvayne) “World So Cold.” Following an emotional performance that also featured the singer once again jumping back into the pit, he stands on the edge of the stage to discuss mental health and why he named Mudvayne’s comeback tour The Psychotherapy Sessions.

“Some people pay for a therapist, we pay for concert tickets… This is our escape,” Gray explains, highlighting the impact music has on his life and how the metal community–nay, metal family–has saved him so many times. His love for this family does not go unnoticed throughout this show. When Chad Gray is not up close and personal, leaning into a sea of fans, he remains as close to the edge of the stage as possible for the majority of the show.

While the band themselves have certainly been going back to their roots on this tour, decked out in the same makeup they wore during their early years and nearly half of their setlist consisting of songs from their debut record L.D. 50, they have still shaken things up, performing both “Fish Out of Water” and “A New Game,” from 2008’s A New Game, for the first time ever. The show is split up by several backdrop changes that along with the setlist reflect Mudvayne’s stylistic evolution throughout the years.

Eventually, the band delves into their biggest hits “Dig” and “Happy?” respectively, signaling the end of the night. As the band gracefully exits the stage, fans anticipate the beginning of a new era for Mudvayne and hope that their metal icons stick around even longer.