With 2008 behind us, I’ve seen and photographed pretty much every show that has come though the Phoenix area over the past year. With so many shows to choose from, I’ve summed up what I believe to have been the top 5 concerts to hit Phoenix this year. Keeping with the tradition of the New Year’s holiday, I believe a count-down is in order; so without further adieu I give you my top 5 Phoenix area concert picks of 2008.

5.) The Deftones (End of Summer Scorcher)

The Deftones took the stage 2nd to last and they sounded amazing.  Chino Moreno’s voice sounded great, the band was tight, everything was just perfect.  Not knowing that could have been the last time we saw Chi Cheng playing his bass.  Chi is still in a coma after a car accident he suffered and he remains unresponsive.

4.) Linkin Park (Project Revolution)

This year’s Project Revolution featured Chris Cornell, The Bravery, Ashes Divide, Atreyu, Hawthorne Heights, 10 Years, Armor for Sleep, and Street Drum Corps, but just like very year, the band that steals show is the headlining band: Linkin Park.

Linkin Park never ceases to amaze me with the amount of energy and showmanship they put into every one of their shows; From their stage setup and lighting to the props and pyros, their shows are generally mind-blowing. August 7, 2008 at the Cricket Pavilion was no exception to the high bar they’ve set for themselves. Linkin Park put on one hell of a performance in ’08!

3.) Slipknot (Rockstar Energy Mayhem tour)

This tour was jammed packed with one badass band after another.  I have never seen an outdoor multi-stage tour be so crowded so early in the day.  Especially here in Phoenix where it was over 100 degrees on July 18.  There were no fillers, every band on this tour was solid!

On the main stage you had Slipknot, Disturbed, DragonForce, Mastodon.

The Jagermeister stage included Machine Head, Airbourne, Five Finger Death Punch, and my personal favorite Walls of Jericho.

The Hot Topic stage included Underoath, Black Tide, Suicide Silence, 36 Crazyfist, and The Red Chord.

But of course, none of these bands could match the intensity, sheer rawness and just plain and simple SICKNESS of Slipknot.  When Slipknot takes the stage you are just so overwhelmed with everything that is going on that you just loose control and go nuts! Next time Slipknot is in town you’d be an idiot not go experience it for yourself!

2.) Jay-Z and Mary J. Blige  (Heart of the City tour)

Jay-Z and Mary J. Blige on the same stage; need I say more?  This show was one of those fine dreams that you don’t want to wake up from.

The show started off with the two mega-stars sharing the stage performing Jay-Z’s Can’t Stop The Hustle.

Mary J. Blige then took the stage accompanied by a full band that included a strings octet, four horn players, two keyboardists, and a pair of drummers. But the real instrument that night was Mary’s voice; to experience Mary J. Blige live is truly a spiritual thing.

Jay-Z wearing all black with matching black shades, got down to business performing his classics I Just Wanna Love You (Give It To Me), 99 Problems and Can I Get A …; Even at age 38 the rapper, mogul, and new husband of Beyonce Knowles can still hold it down!

1.) Metallica (Death Magnetic Tour)

Arizona was the first leg of the 37-date North American tour in support of Metallica’s latest album Death Magnetic album which has sold over 1 million copies to date.  The stage was round with microphones all around the round stage, and a group of floating coffin-shaped lighting rigs above.  Green lasers illuminated the stage only to be inflamed with awesome pyros.

Metallica owned the stage that night and watching a band that’s been around that long and still bring it every time.  It’s just awesome!

images courtesy of Screachen