Melvins and Tomahawk, Pioneer Courthouse Square, August 10, 2026

I first saw Melvins open for Nine Inch Nails during a Dallas, Texas stop for the Self Destruct / Further Down the Spiral tour in 1995. The band played at Fair Park Coliseum which was in use as a hockey arena. Their set was forceful, adept, and punishing. Some in the crowd were not impressed and took matters into their own hands. Soon, the particle boards covering the ice rink were thrown in the general direction of the band onto the stage. Nine Ince Nails’ leader, Trent Reznor proceeded to come out and calm down the crowd who remained on the ice for the rest of the show.

Monday’s show lacked this drama, but Melvins, then and now fronted by King Buzzo (aka Buzz Osborne) remain an intense and prolific band. Melvins opened with renditions of recent songs like “Working the Ditch” which melted faces with its prolonged electric guitar drones.

The band’s heavy dual drum attach led by Dale Crover and Coady Willis punctuated the lyrical tension brought on by Osborne’s lyrics. Bassist Steven Shane McDonald with his whimsical stage presence provided an air of levity with his antics. He and Tomahawk bassist Trevor Dunn ended the set by collaborating on dueling bass parts.

Tomahawk, a supergroup comprised of Faith No More (among others) frontman Mike Patton, Duane Denison (Jesus Lizard), John Stanier (Helmet), and the aforementioned Trevor Dunn then entered the fray.

The band’s potent combination of rock riffs with Mike Patton’s expansive vocal range amplified throughout the evening. I was familiar with Patton’s exploits as a singer but to bear witness to his caliber of growl, scream, and vibrato was extraordinary. Take “Shh”, a devastatingly good execution of the band’s rhythmic prowess and range with verses straddling silence countered by explosive choruses.

Melvins and Tomahawk created an atmosphere of drones, experimental passages of sludgy metal, and punishing drum fills. They attacked the night and did their best: give their fans a moment to enjoy the last bits of summer with their unique sound.