1. Daron's guitar playing was off the charts. He added some nice twists to the Hypnotize, Deer Dance and Soldier Side solos. It was just beautiful all around, no missed notes or any mishaps. Crystal clear and crisp playing from our guitar God. Also his dancing was the shit.

2. Serj's voice was orgasmic, I don't know about all of these "screaming" complaints but the guy absolutely devoured Know, Radio/Video, Needles and especially Forest.

3. Shavo looked as if he's a bulk guy now, like he's trying to gain muscle via John Dolmayan style

4. John was on point as usual and the man has an arm for a cannon, he threw like 4 sticks into the 30th-40th rows at the end of the concert.

5. Gotta give props to Gogol Bordello for being an awesome opening act. Each song had that gypsy punk rock vibe to it that really made you groove. Sadly, the audience wasn't even half full by the time they started. Through the middle of their set it started pouring. My only critique would be that their set list was so short

It's nearly 2 am, so I'll give more details later. Here's what I'll tell you now:

Dinner was kinda fun but John was distracted as I figured he would be. Always working! And Sako & Greg W. sat with us. We probably talked to them more than anyone - they are both super nice. We also talked to Serj & he remembered us. We were also introduced to Shavo & I talked to Danny Shamoun & Jessica Miller a bit.

Sound check made me cry with happiness. I may not remember correctly, but I know they played Suite Pee, Hypnotize, and I think Prison Song. And they fucking played Darts. Darts! How many years has it's been since they even played that one live? It's not on the set list (yet) but it may show up before the tour is over. Serj says we can maybe expect a few changes in the set list as they play more shows and think of improvements they want to make.

When we first met John, he walked us around the stage. We got to walk on the holy carpets. He said we could roll around on them if we wanted to, lol! He's still got that monkey on the front of his kit & Greg W. took a pic of us 3 posing by it. Hopefully we'll get the pic soon. John signed a drum head for me, and gave signed sticks to me & my friend. And he insisted I sit on his throne & play a few notes.

More to follow. But now I'm gonna pass out.

Maybe I'll add some details tomorrow. But for me it was the best concert & best view ever.
John didn't think we should be out there getting wet, so he arranged it so we could watch from side stage. We hung out with Danny & the other tech, and danced our asses off with Jessica Miller. It was still cold as fuck.

And they all looked & sounded like they all really had their game on. We had a REAL nice view of Daron the whole time, maybe from 10 meters away. John & Serj from maybe 20 meters, and Shavo ran around enough we could see him up close.

My biggest complaint is they made us park in a muddy field. And after the show we had to wade through deep slippery mud, then they only way we got the truck out was because several super duper nice people were pushing everyone. It's the Rockes, people. There are fucking rocks everywhere. Would it be so fucking hard to cover that "lot" with some gravel already?