On Easter Sunday, I stood in line outside of South Beach and waited to see my favorite band. Not that I hadn’t seen them before, however, I knew that this time, the show would be special. It seemed peculiar to me that Lamb of God would be playing in the Bible Belt on Easter Sunday and even more peculiar that the show was hosted by KFMX, who doesn’t even play Lamb of God.

We entered the venue, only to be greeted by a Pantera tribute band. Don’t get me wrong, it’s great to hear “Walk” and “Cemetery Gates” blasted through the amps, and it’s great that there are people paying homage to one of the greatest metal bands to exist—but a freaking cover band—that’s not even a real band, that’s just a karaoke act.

Next, we were presented with the god-awful music of a band called Pumpjack, which was basically composed of four pot-smoking rednecks, who were wearing tapered jeans and obviously voted Bush.

Finally, the moment had arrived. The gods of metal took the stage and with one plucked string of John Campbell’s bass I had ‘good vibrations’ up and down my body.

My personal moment of bliss occurred when vocalist Randy Blythe walked across the stage, grabbed the mic and began to wail. It was so amazing.

The pit began to move and I was off in my own world thrashing. They played all my favorite songs from “Pariah” (off the “New American Gospel” album” to “11^th Hour,” (the song that’s video was banned twice by the FCC from being released). They only played one song, “Bloodletting,” from the newly re-released “Burn the Priest” album. It was a little disappointing because their old material is so captivating, but I guess there were a bunch of posers there who only began listening to the band recently and wouldn’t have known the first generation of their music.

I was just absolutely blown away by the intensity of the show. This was their first appearance in the Hub City and because the venue was much smaller and the fans were packed so closely together, it was much better than when I saw them play Ozzfest last summer (even though I met them then).

As I stood at the corner of the pit, watching my heroes belt out the best metal in the world, chills went up my spine, as Randy spoke.

“Whoever appeals to the law against his fellow man is either a fool or a coward. Whoever cannot take care of himself without that law is both. For a wounded man shall say to his assailant, ‘if I live, I will kill you; if I die, you are forgiven.’ Such is the rule of honor.”

The intro to my favorite song, “Omerta” from the recently released, “Ashes of the Wake.” Baffled adolescents watched me in utter confusion as my lips moved with Blythe’s, and the sheer horror on their faces as I began to headbang like I’ve never headbanged before, was absolutely priceless.

You see, I love Lamb of God, I would sell my soul to them (for a heft price, of course). I have a favorite song from every album that they’ve recorded (it is hard though, because they don’t’ have any bad songs).

But again, I was filled with this joy inside when I heard the melodic guitar intros from Willie Adler and Mark Morton on the most violent song (lyrically and musically) that I have ever heard. Lighters went up (still unsure why because after the intro, it’s brutal) and after a few counts, the double bass of Chris Adler set off “Vigil” and I was in the air, jumping and singing; it was awesome.

After a complete set with an incredible lineup of song such as  “Laid to Rest,” “Now You’ve Got Something to Die For” and  “The Faded Line” from “Ashes of the Wake” and “Black Label” and “Subtle Arts of Murder and Persuasion” from the “New American Gospel” album, I was physically exhausted but dying for more.

“Black Label” is usually the song that brings “The Wall of Death” for the mosh pit, but sadly, it didn’t happen this time for whatever reasons.

I’ve seen so many shows in my lifetime. I’ve watched so many bands get on stage, only to deliver a half-decent show. And I’ve seen a few really good concerts. But I’ve never seen a band get on stage and play as if it was their last show every time and that’s what Lamb of God does. Every show they do is better than the previous one and I can testify to that.

This was absolutely the best show that has ever come through Lubbock. I don’t say that out of bias either. Yeah, they’re my favorite band and I’d give my left breast for them, but I can honestly say that this was the most mind-blowing metal show I’ve ever seen.

There’s something about a band that gives you music that runs through your veins and makes you feel that if you cease headbanging and thrashing you will absolutely perish. There’s something about a band that can make you do things with your voice and your body that you didn’t even know were physically possible.  I swear, I thought the devil was in me that Easter Sunday.

If naysayers are right, and this is Devil Music—then Satan and I are going to be buds.