Not even a freezing February evening, illness, or fighting with soccer traffic could keep one of the year’s explosive rock shows out of St. Louis. Hundreds of eager fans could be seen wrapped down the block and around the corner, braving the elements in order to catch Jerry Cantrell on his I Want Blood tour, with support from alternative rockers Filter, on Saturday night.
Jerry Cantrell – Filter
The Hawthorn, St. Louis – 22 February 2025
Words And Photography: Ben Tschetter
The tour, supporting the fourth solo album by the legendary Alice In Chains guitarist and co-lead vocalist, neared the end of its second leg as it made a stop at the Hawthorn in St. Louis, MO. The room was packed with fans, many of whom travelled from hours away to catch the grunge icon performing.
Filter
As the lights dimmed for Filter’s opening set, the Cleveland-based group, formed by former Nine Inch Nails guitarist Richard Patrick, gave fans an excellent, highly energetic performance in a moody setting.
Surrounded by shadowy lighting and a blanket of smoke, Filter ran through a nine-song set full of fan favourites such as Hey Man Nice Shot and Take a Picture, which had much singing along.
The band boasted their A-grade musical chops as they headbanged and commanded the stage through their opening set, which could have easily served as a headlining set in itself due to the sheer talent of the group. A real treat to get two incredible bands in one bill.
Riding the high of Filter’s lively opening set, the energy of the room was on fire, and nearly a thousand insatiable Metalheads were ready for a show they wouldn’t soon forget.
Jerry Cantrell
Suddenly, the lights went dim. Metrical, pounding drum beats began to fill the room, accompanied by light flashes with each boom. As the rhythmic sounds grew louder and the anticipation grew, the band faded into view onstage one-by-one through the haze before Cantrell himself appeared to the roar of the crowd.
Immediately, the band tore into the heavy and haunting Psychotic Break from Cantrell’s 2002 record Degradation Trip, an album which brought the memorable grunge sound back into Cantrell’s solo repertoire.
For roughly 90 minutes, the set comprised a healthy mix of Alice In Chains and Cantrell solo songs. The band broke into Alice hits, such as Them Bones, Would?, and closed with Rooster, to the thrill of the room screaming every word.
But they also brought out some deeper cuts, including the gritty Hate To Feel from 1992’s Dirt and the tour debut of Got Me Wrong, which was met with many pleasantly surprised cheers. 
The majority of tracks played, though, were from Cantrell’s recent release, I Want Blood, a well-received album that features an A-list ensemble of musicians (including Metallica’s Robert Trujillo, Guns ‘N Roses Duff McKagan, and Faith No More’s Mike Bordin) performing on each of the record’s nine tracks.
Over half [6 of 9] of the songs from the latest album were performed and greeted with open arms. Highlights from the set include Vilified, and Off The Rails, two tracks that prominently feature Cantrell’s iconic, piercing vocals and absolutely killer, original guitar riffs.
Other live highlights from the album cuts were the dynamic It Comes, filled with ups and downs, from mellow build-ups to crushing riffs and the softer track, Afterglow, a new fan favourite reminiscent of the classic Alice In Chains sound. Other welcome additions to the set included other solo works, such as Cut You In, which had the room on their toes through this fun rocker and memorable chorus.
The talk throughout the room was that Cantrell had been sick over the past week, with the theory further backed by tissue boxes placed atop the wall of speakers lining the back of the stage.
Sick or not, Cantrell showed not the slightest sign of slowing down. The musician’s legendary musical prowess was exhibited throughout the evening, with an electric vocal performance and perfectly demonstrated guitar licks that surpassed even the original recordings and performances of many of these songs.
While the guitar hero boldly led his group through an incredible set, we shall not forget to mention the talent and performance of his backing band members. Cantrell’s solo touring band is composed of seasoned musicians: Zach Throne (guitars, Corey Taylor), Roy Mayorga (drums, Hellyeah, Stone Sour), Eliot Lorango (bass, Dorothy), and co-lead vocalist Greg Puciato.
With a cast of musicians who have worked with some of the biggest names in rock and Metal, their expertise was on full display with their high-energy performance that did not miss a beat.
A special mention for vocalist Puciato. His spectacular vocal performance and jaw-dropping screams were a fitting tribute and convincing cover of Layne Staley’s signature sound, both during the Alice In Chains classics and the Cantrell solo songs, which captured a similar sound to his original band. As one of the finest and greatest present-day musicians, it’s no wonder Cantrell found just the right team to accompany his musical legacy.
Jerry Cantrell, his expert band, and Filter left the crowd awestruck by this raw performance of masterful rock and Metal genius, hitting all the right chords, from deeper and solo cuts for the diehard fans to all-time classics for the casual listener.
For the I Want Blood Tour, Cantrell left it all on the table, and there was no holding an ounce of talent back, leaving everyone with an unforgettable show to enjoy. And as easily one of the best rock/Metal albums of 2024, it’s clear that the accompanying tour is of the same calibre.
Rock and Metal fans, do not miss this tour. Jerry Cantrell’s I Want Blood tour continues across the US for less than two weeks before resuming in May for a European leg which stretches through June.
