On October 7th, the First Bank Amphitheater in Franklin turned into a haven for rock and metal fans as Judas Priest, Alice Cooper, and Corrosion of Conformity brought three very different eras of heavy music together for the Shield of Pain tour. It was one of those nights that reminded you why live shows still matter no gimmicks needed, but you definitely got them along with timeless songs, big performances, and fans who truly care, especially considering this was the second night that they had showed up due to the previous date being delayed due to inclement weather.
Corrosion of Conformity started the evening off as the last bit of daylight faded behind the limestone cliffs. Their sound felt right at home in Tennessee, thick, heavy, and unpolished in the sludgiest way possible. Pepper Keenan’s voice carried a raw intensity that matched the band’s southern-tinged grit. Their songs had that slow-burn groove that drew the crowd in and got heads nodding. They didn’t waste time talking between songs, they just played, and the crowd appreciated every single gangly riff.
Alice Cooper took the stage next and the energy in the old quarry shifted completely. His set was a mix of dark theater, classic rock, and pure showmanship that he has spent the better part of six decades perfecting. At 77, Cooper still knows exactly how to command attention without ever forcing it and he moved across the stage with a grace of a man half his age. The band kicked in right off the bat as Alice emerged from a coffin in the middle of the stage, and from there the show turned into a full production. The stage was alive with props, swords, mannequins and all the familiar bits of Alice’s twisted imagination, the guillotine, the straitjacket, and the iconic towering Frankenstein that always ignites the crowd. But what really stood out was how good the band sounded. Guitarists Nita Strauss and Ryan Roxie traded solos effortlessly, and Cooper’s voice, gravelly but steady, carried the weight of decades on the road. “I’m Eighteen” and “Poison” hit hard, as well as a sleuth of other classics from the shock rocker. It wasn’t just nostalgia, it was a reminder that Alice Cooper’s blend of theater and rock is still unmatched.
Judas Priest graced the stage last, delivering that old-school raw metal from days past. The lights dropped, the opening notes of “All Guns Blazing” hit, and the amphitheater erupted as the spotlights lit up the legend himself in the middle of the stage. Rob Halford walked out as flashy as ever, wearing his leather-clad get-up that he is known for and confident in. His voice was strong and cut clean through the night air and echoed off the walls of the repurposed quarry. The band was a well-oiled machine, with Richie Faulkner and Andy Sneap delivering the signature twin guitar harmonies that define Priest’s sound. The setlist was packed with staples: “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’”, “Turbo Lover”, “Painkiller”, and of course “Breaking the Law.” The production was simple and flashy all at the same time with colorful, bursts of fire and animations filling the led panels, sharp lighting lit up the artists on stage, and a sound mix that did justice to their legacy. Judas Priest proved while they will always be legends of metal.
The trio of bands brought a certain balance to the night, with Corrosion of Conformity bringing the heaviness, Alice Cooper brought the stage show, and Judas Priest brought the power of metal that we all love. By the time the last chorus of “Living After Midnight” rang out, the crowd was tired but ready and willing to go for more. The Shield of Pain tour isn’t about pyrotechnics or flashy visuals, though there were plenty of both. It was about seeing three bands who know exactly who they are, still doing what they love, and still doing it well. For everyone at First Bank Amphitheater that night, it was a celebration of what keeps rock alive, attitude, heart, and a whole lot of volume.
Judas Priest’s Shield of Pain tour continues through October 26th of 2025. For upcoming shows, visit https://judaspriest.com/tour/.
Follow Judas Priest, Alice Cooper and Corrosion of Conformity on their socials below:
Judas Priest: Instagram // Facebook
Alice Cooper: Instagram // Facebook
Corrosion of Conformity: Instagram // Facebook
