Generation Axe

The easiest way to describe Generation Axe, is it's like a traveling circus, but instead of tightrope walkers, sword swallowers and such, you get legendary guitar heroes. The performers: Tosin Abasi (Animals As Leaders). Yeah, I never heard of him personally, but I know his band, Animals As Leaders, play frequent shows down in L.A., with Steve Vai and Joe Satriani. Played some songs from his band, interesting technical progressive rock stuff. Reminded me a bit of An Endless Sporadic. Nuno Bettencourt (ex-Extreme). Don't really care much for his band, but respect his guitar playing. Started to play "More Than Words", as a gag, then launched into a really cool instrumental thing. Played a medley of his best work, that he found on YouTube while looking for obscure songs to perform on this tour. Played something that sounded like Jerry Lee Lewis, possessed by the Devil. Was joined by tourmate Zakk Wylde, to perform an epic power ballad, called "Sideways". Zakk Wylde (ex-Ozzy Osbourne, Black Label Society, Black Sabbath cover band Zakk Sabbath, solo career). Wow, I didn't realize this at the time, but Zakk Wylde is probably the most storied-career musician on this tour and he still only played three cover songs. "N.I.B." by Black Sabbath, "Little Wing" by Jimi Hendrix, "Whipping Post" by Allman Brothers Band. The only significant thing he did with any of those songs, was during the middle of "Little Wing", he ran out into the crowd and did about 3 minutes of relentless soloing, which appeared to be directed at the girl sitting right across from me. Yngwie Malmsteen (ex-Steeler, ex-Alcatrazz, Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force). First, that is how you spell his name, he's Swedish. Now that we've got that out of the way, he didn't seem too happy about being a part of a group, but it's Yngwie. He has an ego and a temper, everyone knows this. He played one good song with Steve Vai and one shoddy rendition of one of his best songs. He also had some equipment issues. I'm just glad he managed to not go crazy. Steve Vai (ex-David Lee Roth, ex-Whitesnake, solo career). The guy with probably the best-known body of work in this tour. Did only his solo material, but did it really well. Was joined by Tosin Abasi for a couple songs, which were excellent. Could have probably done a fantastic version of David Lee Roth's "Yankee Rose", but missed that chance. The whole group of guitar legends Voltroned togethet to play a few covers, including Boston's "Foreplay/Long Time", Extreme's "Get The Funk Out", Edgar Winter's "Frankenstein" and Deep Purple's "Highway Star". All in all, it was a great experience, even better than I was expecting!

I decided I wanted to go see these guys when I first heard about them! And I am SO glad I did!! The show at the Murat Theatre on April 26, 2016, was one of the best concerts I have ever been to!! It was Unreal!! The sound was awesome!!! There was so much talent on that stage!!!!! It was like being at 5 different concerts under one roof! From the time each guy played their own music, to the duets, etc, and up towards the end when they all played together, it was nothing but pure music! You talk about one awesome sound!!!! You felt the sound with your every being, along with hearing it!!! And when the 5 of them played together, it just left you in awe!! I have never met such a great group of guys!!! These guys were so sweet to talk to! AND, I can't go without talking about the band that played with them! These guys were amazing!! So we're their sound engineers, and light crew! A big thanks goes out to everyone, that helped put the production on!!! And to the 5 guys themselves, you guys rocked it baby!!! Come back around and I will be there again, only front row this time, not 3rd row!!! Keep on doin what you're doing, cause it works!! Love you all!!!

Tosin Abasi - Amazing Nuno Bettencourt - Amazing, did a needed acoustic song, Fastest picker of the night and tasty. Zakk Wylde - More geared for soloing in a band setting, did 3 covers, great selection. Unfotunately just shredded while occasionally getting back to the melody of the song. ITS ABOUT THIS TIME YOUR EARS START TO BLEED Yngwie - Same Ol Yngwie. Great delay, great fret hand, great version of star spangled banner. Steve Vai - Tender Surrender, building the church, amazing AT THIS POINT THE VOLUME MAKES YOU CONSIDER GOING HOME BUT DONT Frankenstein Cover - awesome, highlight of show, Nuno playing some drums. FEEL FREE TO GO HOME NOW Highway Star - a muddied mess. I would rather hear Blackmore do his simple solo everyday and 2x on sunday than hearing this. I love all these guys. have all their music but CONCLUSION - Awesome but for the first time after 100's of concerts I have to say the volume hurt the performance. RF was feeding through the amps the gain was so high. Bring some kind of ear protection.

The sound was unbelievably BAD - volume doesn't compensate for quality Shame because I know all the guitarists are great

Great show - very long - nearly 4 hours. Some of it seemed to be repetitive. But phenomenal guitar players. Bring you earplugs!

Concert started with Vai, Wylde, Malmsteen, Bettencourt, and Abasi all playing together. Then several tunes solo by Abasi. Had not been very impressed by his recordings but was pleasantly surprised by his playing. Bettencourt then joined for a tune and went on to play some on his own. Had not heard much from him since extreme but was quite impressed with his playing. Wylde then came out and really got the show kicked into gear with some great covers with extended solos. At about 1:45 into the show there was a brief intermission after which Malmsteen took the stage. He seems to have improved with age exhibiting incredible virtuosity -- fast and clean. Via then came on and played a few solo with Abasi joining for one tune and then the rest joining to cap off the evening. Both Wylde and Malmsteen also did some great vocals on a couple of the tunes. I was literally exhausted after the show with virtuoso after virtuoso hitting the stage, one after the other. Ear protection for this concert was a must with @ 25 heads on stage (at least 20 of which were Marshalls).

Really fun show, I'm glad they invited Tosin Abasi along, he's really talented and deserved the showcase. Nuno is always fun, great duet with Zakk Wylde. Zakk was a blast, came right out into the crowd and played for like 10 minutes, that was really fun. Malmsteen... what can you say? He came off as a guy with a huge ego, who frankly wasn't very interesing or entertaining. Steve Vai was impressive as always. Seemed like he may have got shortchanged by being at the end of the show, but still it was a pleasure to see him live. If you love guitar this is an amazing show.

I think this was the best concert I've ever been to

An incredible night of axe-grinding and showmanship! Generation Axe was/is a GREAT idea! It was made even better by the venue: Stiefel Theatre is quaint, intimate, and well worth visiting!

These guys played from 8pm until midnight with 20 minute pause session. They were all amazing with their own styles. This concert is well worth the money, and more. Zack Wylde came out into the audience and jammed. All of the guitarists seem to genuinely appreciate the audience and being in Salina, KS.

Generation Axe was astounding,once in a lifetime if you're lucky event....thanks for hosting Steiffel theater and good people of Salina,will never forget....