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Live at House of Blues Anaheim

February 11, 2025 Review by Derek Tobias

In the first of two one-off shows in SoCal, Tom Morello delivered an electrifying, career-spanning performance at the House of Blues in Anaheim, treating fans to a night of high-energy shredding, political anthems, and surprise guest appearances. 

Fans at the House of Blues got an unexpected treat when Seven Hours After Violet (SHAV), the new band featuring System of a Down’s bassist Shavo Odadjian, took the stage as Tom Morello’s surprise opener. The band – also featuring vocalist Taylor Barber, guitarist Alejandro Aranda, and drummer Josh Johnson – got the call just two days before the show, and with little time to prepare, they still delivered a powerhouse set, proving that their mix of crushing riffs and raw energy is more than ready for the big stage.

Despite only forming last year and playing a handful of live shows, the excitement in the room was undeniable. As chants of “Shavo!” rang through the venue, the band kicked off their set with the brooding heaviness of “Gloom,” quickly transitioning into the emotional weight of “Cry…” and the soaring melodies of “Paradise.”

Barber commanded the stage with ferocity, while Odadjian’s signature bass tone added a familiar intensity to the mix. When they tore into “Float,” Barber encouraged the crowd to open up the pit, and the energy in the room exploded.

Closing with “Alive” and “Sunrise,” Seven Hours After Violet left a lasting impression, blending crushing metalcore elements with dynamic shifts that kept the audience engaged. Though many in the crowd were unfamiliar with the band before the show, their high-energy performance ensured they wouldn’t be forgotten anytime soon. If this set was any indication, Seven Hours After Violet is a band on the rise, and it won’t be long before they announce a full tour and album.

Morello was originally scheduled to take the stage at 9:15, but the Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave guitarist made an early entrance—15 minutes ahead of schedule—setting the tone for a night full of energy, passion, and unexpected moments.

Joined by his son Roman for the first two songs, the show opened with “Soldier in the Army of Love,” followed by “One Last Dance,” which was recently featured in the latest Venom movie. Roman, clearly inheriting his father’s guitar prowess, stole the spotlight at times, executing jump-spin moves and shredding his guitar above his head. By the end of the second song, father and son stood side by side, guitars wailing in perfect harmony, a moment that showcased both Tom’s pride and Roman’s rising star power. As Roman exited, Tom urged the audience to give him a well-earned round of applause.

Although the setlist mirrored a lot of Morello’s show at Chain Reaction two weeks prior, he made the night feel special, telling the crowd, “I’ve been waiting a long time to play this song in Orange County,” before launching into a fiery Rage Against the Machine medley. “Testify,” “Take the Power Back,” “Freedom,” and “Snakecharmer” sent the crowd into a frenzy, a reminder of Morello’s deep roots in revolution-fueled anthems.

A brief moment of comic relief came when Morello prematurely introduced Luke Spiller of The Struts, quickly realizing he wasn’t due on stage just yet. Laughing it off, he instead welcomed Thomas Raggi, guitarist of Måneskin, to join him for “GOSSIP” (the Måneskin track Morello guests on), bringing an added dose of modern rock energy to the set. 

The sonic assault continued with “Hold the Line,” showcasing Morello’s signature tones and otherworldly guitar techniques. Then came an impromptu moment of creativity—after a brief disruption, Morello quipped, “What’s going on? Are we breaking? If we are, I’m going to write a riff for these folks.” After a quick jam session, he commented, “Somebody send me that on IG; I’ll use it to write a new song.”

Shifting gears slightly, Morello slowed things down with the jazz-infused instrumentals of “Cato Stedman & Neptune Frost,” before the show took a brief but welcome detour into a more intimate acoustic segment. Morello stripped things down for “Keep Going,” “House Gone Up in Flames,” and a moving rendition of Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land.”

The final act of the night brought the return of Thomas Raggi for a raucous take on MC5’s “Kick Out the Jams,” complete with dueling guitar solos. Then, the long-anticipated arrival of Luke Spiller and System of a Down’s Shavo Odadjian sent the crowd into overdrive with their rendition of AC/DC’s “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap.”

After a second extended Rage Against the Machine medley, Morello took a moment to honor his late friend Chris Cornell, dedicating “Cochise” and “Like a Stone” to the Soundgarden and Audioslave front-man, a poignant moment in an otherwise high-energy night.

Bringing things full circle, Roman Morello returned for the night’s defining moment: “Killing in the Name.” Morello turned the mic to the audience, knowing they’d be ready. “You might have learned this one, so I’m going to let you sing it,” he said, as the entire venue screamed the lyrics in unison. The night ended on an anthemic high with “Power to the People,” cementing the show as an unforgettable, politically charged, and family-infused celebration of rock and rebellion.

Tom Morello once again proved why he remains one of the most dynamic and innovative guitarists in rock history, seamlessly blending activism, virtuosity, and pure stage presence into a show that left no fist unraised and no voice unheard.

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