The Rock Band Cold Brings A Nostalgic Vibe to Lincoln

May 27, 2025 Robert Chadwick Concert Reviews Comments Off

PAM WHISENHUNT | Go Venue Magazine

Cold, touring in support of 13 Ways to Bleed and A Different Kind of Pain albums, brought a night of nostalgia to the Bourbon Theater in Lincoln, Nebraska, May 25, 2025. Celebrating the 25th anniversary of 13 Ways to Bleed and the 20th anniversary of A Different Kind of Pain, the band played both albums front to back.

Rival Within out of Norfolk Nebraska got the crowd cranked up. A majority of the Rival Within members have been together for many years only with a different band name and lead singer. Flamboyant frontman Eric Benson was a great addition to the lineup, commanding the stage and doing exactly what Cold told them to do, “warm the crowd up”. Benson waived the Rival Within flag around the stage while getting fists pumping and everyone chanting back “hell yeah”.

Next up University Drive, an alternative rock band hailing from Scranton, Pennsylvania. I wasn’t familiar with University Drive, but they had a great set with some songs a little groovy and some a little more grungy. Little did I know three of the members Edward Cuozzo (vocals/guitar), Angelo Maruzzelli (vocals/guitar) and Tony Kruszka (drums) were also members of Cold. From what I’ve read, they’ve only been with Cold for a few years, but it makes sense. They fit the sound and vibe of Cold perfectly.

September Mourning followed providing a stark contrast in sound and visuals. Emily Lazar told her story as an empathetic human-grim reaper through a series of songs. Their visuals were theatrical and comic book like, but their sound was heavy.

Cold started their set shortly after 9pm. Scooter Ward (lead vocals), Lindsay Manfredi (bass), Ed Cuozzo (guitar), Tony Kruszka (drums) and Angelo Maruzzelli (rhythm guitar) entered to a dark, backlit stage which stayed that way the remainder of the night. Ward welcomed the crowd and explained how the night would go. The band would work through both albums, stopping along the way to talk about the background and inspiration for some of the songs. Cold started off with the A Different Kind of Pain album, transporting the crowd back 20 years. Ward talked about dark times and how the songs got him through. The set was slow and melodic while the crowd sang through many of the songs. I could feel the emotional connection between the band and the fans. After a 5-minute break, Cold returned working through the second album of the night, 13 Ways to Bleed. The second album was a little more intense and equally as emotional. The crowd remained engaged till the end. Cold sent the crowd on an emotional journey that I’m not sure they were ready for. I know I wasn’t.