Concert Review: Mudvayne, 25 Years of L.D. 50 Anniversary Tour w/ Static-X and Vended at The Wellmont Theater

Mudvayne is celebrating the 25th anniversary of their iconic debut album, L.D. 50, which was released in 2000. The tour, featuring opening performances by Vended and Static-X, recently made its 28th stop at The Wellmont Theater in Montclair, New Jersey last October 24, 2025. As a die-hard fan of Mudvayne, with one of my favorite bass players, Ryan Martinie, I don’t want to miss this show again, as I missed their performance in my city at Jones Beach Theater last year.

VENDED

The show opened with Vended and kicked off their evening performance with a brief yet absolute chaos. From Des Moines, Iowa, the band has garnered a substantial following across the Midwest and is rapidly expanding its reach on a national level. Their appeal is notably amplified by their familial ties, as two members are the sons of iconic Slipknot figures: lead vocalist Griffin Taylor is the son of Corey Taylor, while percussionist Simon Crahan is the son of Shawn “Clown” Crahan. Griffin Parker Taylor’s vocal prowess extends beyond a singular guttural style, showcasing a remarkable range that fluidly navigates various melodic highs and lows. The band’s lineup is completed by drummer Simon Crahan, guitarist Cole Espeland, and bassist Jeremiah Pugh, with a guest guitarist stepping in for Connor Grodzicki, who departed for personal reasons. Since the release of their self-titled debut album about a year ago, they have pursued their musical journey with determination. While their connections to rock legends are undeniably impressive, Vended is fully committed to establishing their own significant presence within the metal scene.

STATIC X 

Next to perform was Static-X, who brought their unique blend of darkwave rock as they took the stage to open for Mudvayne. The sold-out crowd was already buzzing with anticipation. Static-X had the challenging task of winning over a crowd that was largely there to see Mudvayne, but they more than rose to the occasion. I was right up front in the photo pit, camera in hand, as Static-X tore through their set. The energy of Xero was aggressive, and the rest of the band's crushing riffs had the crowd going wild. I was fully caught up in the moment, shooting from every angle to capture the intensity of the performance. The lighting was insane, with strobes and lasers adding to the chaos. The crowd was into it, moshing and crowd-surfing to the music. I was right in the thick of it, dodging flailing arms and spinning around to get the perfect shot. The band's hits like "Push It," "Bleed for It," "Love Dump," and many more had the whole room screaming. I snapped photos of the band members, trying to freeze the moments that would make the show unforgettable. As Static-X wrapped up their set and handed the stage over to Mudvayne, I was already looking forward to the main act. But Static-X had left it all on the stage, and I felt lucky to have been so close to the action.

MUDVAYNE 

After 25 years of waiting, I was right in front of them. At that very moment, and up until now, I still can’t process that night. I was very eager to join the moshing and surfing, but it did not happen. With two cameras and three lenses on hand, I couldn’t leave these things in anyone else’s hands. Anyway, as Mudvayne took the stage, the energy in the room was something I did not expect; I got goosebumps and a tingling sensation in my ears, and I was so pumped to be photographing them live. The moment Chad Gray's voice hit the mic to perform “Dig,” the crowd went wild, and I got really caught up in it. I snapped away, trying to capture the intensity of the performance. The stage was a wall of sound, with Matthew McDonough's drums pounding out a relentless beat. I shot from every angle, trying to get the perfect shot. The lighting was insane, with flashes of color illuminating the stage. I was fully immersed, focused on capturing the raw energy of the band. Everyone was wild, moshing and singing along to every word. The band's hits like "Death Blooms,” “Internal Primates Forever” got everyone moving. I managed to capture some great photos of the band members, their faces set in fierce concentration. Chad Gray's vocals were a force to be reckoned with, switching seamlessly between screams and growls to more melodic passages. Ryan Martinie was all over the stage, jumping and banging from left to right; it was very fun to photograph the artists' movements, as I wanted to capture their emotions and feelings onstage. Sadly, Greg Tribbett was not there, as his wife had recently passed. I am sorry for his loss.

What struck me most about Mudvayne's performance was the sense of precision and control that they brought to the stage. Every element of the show, from the lighting to the sound to the band's performance, was expertly executed. As a photographer, it's not often that I get to capture a band that's truly "on" — but Mudvayne was absolutely firing on all cylinders. All in all, Mudvayne's show at the Wellmont Theater was an unforgettable experience for me, and I think the crowd was screaming for more. If you're a fan of heavy music, do yourself a favor and check them out — but be prepared for a sonic assault!