It was a 7 hour day, 5 hour concert, where do we begin? Let’s start with picking up our meet-and-greet passes with Nickelback where we got to take a picture with the band right after the opening act, Saving Abel. Then add Papa Roach and Hinder, you get heart throbbing music with fun-loving personalities. Over the top, was a mind blowing experience with Nickelback who did not hit the stage until 10 and rocked until midnight. The energy level never once dipped in that arena filled with what looked like a sea of hands pounding the air to the hard core beat.

As soon as Saving Abel took the stage with songs from their debut album, they began with New Tattoo,” “18 Days,” “Drowning (Face Down), and finished with “Addicted.” They kept thanking Vegas for being hyped up for the 1st band. The audience was invited to the after party where they were going to hand out with fans. They did some chanting and were very personable with the audience. Saving Abel introduced the other bands while interacting with the audience. One of the main highlights was a texting contest and the winner got to keep the guitar they played that night. They also got to sit at the table later with pics and back stage passes. They do this every concert so they do love their fans.

With his energy, raspy voice, and gruff look, many of the younger girls in the audience said he is one “hot, sexy” rocker. Even Saving Abel said the ladies would all be turned on after his performance. We were meeting Nickelback during his performance so we relied on our younger members to fill us in on his set. He sang “I Almost Told You That I Loved You” from his new album, Metamorphosis.

Can’t help but notice the crazy hair of the drummer, Cody, along with his talented drum sticks. They had plenty of jokes, anecdotes, and personal stories that made the audience more electrified along with songs from their new album, Take It To The Limit, such as “Up All Night,” “Use Me,” and “Loaded And Alone.” They also played songs from their Extreme Behavior album like “Lips of an Angel,” “Get Stoned,” and “Better Than Me.” Their range from hard-core to melodic makes Hinder one of the most eclectic bands on our favorite’s list.

As for Nickelback, it was hot and heavy from the moment the explosives sounded as they walked on stage. The lighting, pyrotechnics, heat from the flames or the wall of falling fire behind the set drove the audience into a frenzy of jumping and screaming. One amazing collaboration was when Chad asked lead (Austin) from Hinder and Papa Roach to accompany him on singing “Highway To Hell” by AC/DC. It was AWESOME! Heart and soul was on stage, with an awe-inspiring drum solo by Daniel Adair. Chad Kroeger would call pals and back stage workers out to thank them. He would personally ask questions of people in the audience. He even had beer brought out to give many a beer shower. He is no one for being G-rated, so he is wild with the F-word being the favorite of the night, but even so, he comes off so humble and inviting. On their site he states they do not take anything for granted which comes out in the concert. He was singing for two hours while playing the guitar, running all over stage. His brother bringing up the harmony and guitar solos. They must have played every song from every album including songs from Dark Horse like the nasty songs “Something In Your Mouth, and “S.E.X.” Then thanked the troops and dedicated “Gotta Be Somebody” and “If Today Was Your Last Day” to those who want to change the world for the good. They then moved into songs from past albums like “Photograph,” “Far Away,” Rockstar,” If Everyone Cared,” “How You Remind Me” and “Animals.”

The ending was nothing but spectacular with the fire, popping of gun powder, and the light show that ended still with that adrenaline rush that ran through the whole night. It was like the concert just began and had not just ended. All the bands put on a show that was so full of force and grit that even though we could not hear each other after it was all over we still were basking in the raw intensity of the talent on stage. Then we went home and had a shot in honor of the drunken fest after-parties we were not at, so cheers Chad with your Rum and Coke and us with just a hint (okay half a bottle) of Partida tequila in honor of one rockin’ concert.