Sparta opens for Alice, Velvet at HiFi Buys

Ever since Dave Matthews Band played a sold out concert in Piedmont Park, a stream of great bands and musical talent has steadily flowed into the city of Atlanta. The week before Fall Break, studying was probably the farthest thing from most students' minds as the Foo Fighters' show sold out in 30 seconds. That same week, Alice in Chains and Velvet Revolver played a packed show at HiFi Buys Amphitheater. However, in the chaos generated by all the big bands, it was easy to overlook the opening acts. Opening for the Alice in Chains and Velvet Revolver show was one such opening act, Sparta.

After the break up of At the Drive-In, drummer Tony Hajjar formed Sparta with former ATDI back-up singer Jim Ward. What followed was the band's first album, Austere. It emerged to limited success and failed to break into the mainstream. As a result, most critics wrote the band off, saying that it had yet to find its sound. The release of their second album, Porcelain, defined their sound and showed that they were not just another punk knock-off.

The set that Sparta played at the concert was a good mix of tunes. They opened with a fast moving hardcore riff that was reminiscent of ATDI's "One Armed Scissor." Ward's voice is haunting in its tonality and has definitely matured since Sparta's first album.

It's unfortunate that Sparta is so obscure in terms of the concert-going fanbase, particularly the Alice in Chains/Velvet Revolver crowd. In fact, given the vast differences in the tonality of the opening act and headliners, it seemed to be a mistake putting the two together.

That being said, Sparta was awesome. Most openers play songs that get the crowd moving while others get themselves moving, psyching up the crowd. Sparta did both in equal measure, and though the venue was nowhere close to full when they started playing, it was packed by the time they had finished.

If Sparta keeps up their musical evolution they could be a headliner themselves one day as their notoriety keeps moving up.

After Sparta left the stage Alice in Chains started their set. At first I was skeptical given that AIC's lead singer, Layne Staley, has been dead for the last five years from a heroine/cocaine overdose. However, I was very wrong. William DuVall, the Atlanta-born singer and guitarist who is the current lead singer, has toured with the band since they reunited in 2005. His voice is akin to Staley's in many ways, and if you don't see him it makes you almost forget that Staley is dead.

What was most surprising about AIC was Jerry Cantrell, the lead guitarist, who has not lost his style. Most amazing is how much of his voice really contributes to all of the familiar songs like "Them Bones," "Rooster" and "Rain When I Die." Hardcore fans may not be aware of this fact if they have not seen AIC live. These concerts, of course, also seem to draw large crowds due to the many rumors that AIC may soon head back to the studio for a new album.

Lastly, and in curtain-dropping fashion, Velvet Revolver took the stage. VR is touring their new album, Libertad, which has such hits as "The Last Fight" and "She Builds Quick Machines." Frontman Scott Weiland, formerly of the Stone Temple Pilots, and Slash, formerly of Guns N' Roses, were energized as the band started off loud. However, they quickly quieted down as the stage hands rearranged the drum kit about three songs in for the performance of the STP song "Interstate Love Song." The band also played other STP covers, including "Vasoline."

After a huge set, VR played a four song encore which ended with the song "Slither." It's no secret as to why Velvet Revolver was the show headliner as Slash pounded out amazing guitar riffs in his trademark top hat, complimented by Weiland's vocals.

Currently, Libertad is not selling as well as Velvet's previous masterpiece Contraband, but it is a solid album. The new album has been a sobriety test for Weiland, as his run-ins with the LAPD over drug violations and DUIs have become legendary. In fact, in an interview with Rolling Stone this year, he said that the only albums he has written sober were STP's Core and VR's Libertad. As VR finishes up the North American portion of their tour, it would not be surprising if their record sales shoot up a few points from these amazing concert performances.