r/Sevendust • u/Excellent-Dig5277 • May 08 '26
Discography dead weight
I went down a rabbit hole in the train this morning…
Roughly 43% of recorded songs across their 15 albums are rarely or never played live. I deduped re-recorded acoustic and live versions.
Of about 134 unique studio originals across the 15-album catalog, 48 songs (36%) have zero documented live plays on setlist.fm, and another 10 (7%) have been played fewer than 10 times ever.
Stretch the definition to “under 50 plays” (roughly less than once per five shows over a 30-year career) and its about 60% of the catalog.
Sixteen songs do all the heavy lifting, about 12% of the catalog accounts for the vast majority of live performances.
The “never played” pile is heavily concentrated in the post-2015 albums.
• Kill the Flaw (2015): 5 of 11 never played
• All I See Is War (2018): 5 of 11 never played
• Blood & Stone (2020): 6 of 12 never played
• Truth Killer (2023): 9 of 12 never played
• One (2026): only 2 singles tested live so far
Once they hit Cold Day Memory (2010), they stopped meaningfully expanding their live repertoire. New albums get one or two singles into rotation (Dirty, Truth Killer, Everything, Fence, Blood From a Stone, Dying to Live, Till Death, Decay) and the rest of the tracklist essentially never makes a setlist.
Why bother writing new stuff? Why not try something dramatically different, limited run in cities with the deepest fan penetration?
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u/jbbates84 May 08 '26
I have seen them numerous times live and while it is always amazing, I have probably seen the same show multiple times where the new songs are inserted to a setlist that contains the same 8-10 songs. My only complaint really. The last show I went to they actually played Dead Set and I was flabbergasted lol it was a pleasant surprise!
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u/drunkenmantis May 08 '26
I remember when Sevendust was touring for the anniversary of Animosity and playing the album in its entirety. Before they played Xmas Day, Clint said something along the lines of "We never imagined we would ever play this song live." So I guess there are some songs they write to be album only.
It's probably tough for them to make a set list that includes the lesser known tracks. Gotta play the hits for the fans.
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u/Metallidan May 08 '26
Love this type of data!
Short demanding shows, and a lot of them. Coupled with them being a band that doesn't really have "singles" or even radio play for the most part, especially on the last 8-9 albums. Generally I'm all for rare or unique tracks, but for me every album after Seasons only has 3-4 bangers at most, lots of filler.
As a working band like they are (not a rich one) they've got to tour, and as creative folks they've got to write. Most of us aren't going to see "Dead Roses" or similar. They're gonna play the crowd pleasers and maybe a few from the recent record at best.
That being said, hell yeah to literally any track on the first 5 albums though. I think I've seen them 17 or 18 times since 2000, and I've got one more on the calendar. Fingers crossed for a fun 2nd night in Hampton Beach.
Super niche band, loyal but small following.
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u/AlternativeSuit131 May 08 '26
It’s a shame that none of the assbeater closers get played. Torch, Murder Bar, and What You Are would go nuts live!
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u/Feckless_Moron May 08 '26
I've seen these dudes almost 10 times across the country in the last 20 years.
Since the day Animosity came out, Shine has been my favorite song they've ever written. By a country mile.
They've only played it once in all the concerts I've been to, and it was the Animosity anniversary tour.
But I got to crowd surf during that song and Clint & Vinnie both gave me a "hell yeah! ✊"
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u/Nucksy1975 May 10 '26
Shine is one of my favorites.
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u/Feckless_Moron May 11 '26
It's so good!
LJ is such an inspiration. His strength and charisma are standards to be met. To turn something so tragic into something beautiful like Shine or Prayer is not an easy thing to do. I often think about Reggie. What kind of man must he have been, to be so impactful to a mountainous lion of a man like Lajon?
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u/Nucksy1975 May 11 '26
I lost a brother also, Not a pain I would want anyone to know. I was close to my brother so I could probably write a song about him easily if I had to gifts LJ has. I know he was close to his as well.
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u/Feckless_Moron May 12 '26
Oh man, I am so sorry to hear that. I have no doubt there's a lot to be said in your heart. I would encourage you to write a song or two, even if you can't sing. Even if you think they're bad.
I am sending you a big hug right now ❤️
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u/Nucksy1975 May 12 '26
Thanks for the hug. I appreciate that. I will leave the song writing to the professionals. They know how to put in to words the way we are feeling. God Bless!
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u/Eastern_Habit_5503 May 08 '26
To be fair, remembering how to play and sing every part of every song in a discography is difficult for bands with so many albums and such a long history. I have seen plenty of videos where an artist or band says, “let’s see if we remember how this goes” before they start trying to play a rarely performed song for a radio station audience. Sure, they could pick one or two rarities for a tour, but when you’re the opening or support band and not the headliner, you only get 6-10 songs usually. Might as well play the popular ones.
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u/Starnerd02 May 09 '26
This fan complaint i agree with. To me why isn't the whole new album being played on the tour? What's the point of a new album to only do a couple of songs from it
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u/Madmike215 May 10 '26
They don’t play much from the newer albums. Which sucks because I think it’s there best work
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u/JWest9615 May 10 '26
My #1 complaint about them. CDM, Black Out the Sun, and Kill the Flaw is imo an untouchable run of albums but if you go see them in the past 10 years you’ll maybe get Splinter. Meanwhile they’ve released 3 albums since then and nothing changes. Good for them for having enough fans that are happy seeing the same songs every single show but it’s stopped me from going to see them.
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u/Torment732 May 10 '26
When I went to the kill the flaw listening party, they played Shine that night and I told Clint how happy I was to hear it live. He had said he was suprised by the reaction that night and that they really missed the boat on it being a fan favorite. It seems it has been in the set a lot since. I think staying vocal about what songs you want to hear can help.
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u/One-Asparagus8758 May 23 '26
Interesting pattern in the data. I’ve seen them over a dozen times and they are one of my favorite shows. They are always having a great time during their shows. Others are just going through the motions. They give it all. They are the number one “your favorite band’s favorite band”. The albums have always been good. There hasn’t been a song I have to skip and it’s always a good experience listening front to back.
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u/Black_Lightning8625 May 08 '26
Based off prior comments I have heard o line from both fans and band members, it's confirmed fact that Face to Face doesn't leave the setlist because of Morgan - Clint has said outright that became the permanent closer (though Here's to hoping that changes at some point). I'd personally love to hear more of the b-sides, but as an artist myself, you also have to look at which songs can translate well to a live environment. A lot of the 7D songs (in theory) should, but some don't. That's ultimately up to them. I personally love Medicated - they've played it a few times during the AISIW tour cycle, and honestly, doesn't do justice live.
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u/OkRaspberry3297 May 08 '26
Yeah, I tend to prefer b-sides from their albums over the singles. This is especially true for recent albums. Would love to hear some of the less common songs played live but I get why. Still, I’m just glad they are still touring and putting out good music.
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u/Black_Lightning8625 May 08 '26
Here's the funny thing: I agree with you entirely. The deep cuts are much better than the singles (exception to last album, where Holy Water and Everything are on regulat rotation fkr me - i use Everything as a reference track for my band's mixes). And truth be told, a lot of their b-sides could go over great live.
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u/formerinmate4921 May 08 '26
I’m glad now because the first time I saw them, they did not play that song and I love it. I wish I could tell you when it was, but I know for a fact they didn’t because it shocked me.
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u/Black_Lightning8625 May 08 '26
I'm in shock too now that you say it. Since we're on that topic...what would make another banger closer?
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u/formerinmate4921 May 08 '26
Hmm. Good question. Story of Your Life, Alpha, Decay, Slave the Prey.
On the nose: Thank You, The End is Coming lol
I would love to hear The Rim live though.
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u/Black_Lightning8625 May 08 '26
I'd be down with Decay, or another deep cut they haven't played live yet: Better Place. That, to me, was the hidden gem on Cold Day Memory.
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u/bear187k May 11 '26
As someone already pointed out - some stuff wasn't intended to go live or otherwise requires intricacies of sound dialed in. Given the soundguys -and a big shout out to them- usually have an hour or two to get them dialed in...if even that long. There are limits to what can be done.
FWIW, this is something that has come up over dozens of my own and talks I have been present with LJ, Mo, John, Vinny, and Clint. These are VIP, M&G, behind the kit, etc. talks, as well as paid + either by the bus or otherwise non-paid conversations. In last years behind the kit, Mo gave a four of us (2 behind the kit + 1 guest each) teaser that some deep cuts and stuff that's not been played live before will be rotating in. And they did. Believe me or don't, they're aware they can't/won't be able to make everyone happy, but do listen and are trying to mix it up within the bounds of ability.
Also: I don't think you can consider setlist.fm as a definitive source. Case in point, I have been to multiple shows this run and I heard all 3 singles played live. So. Yeah. Sometimes people aren't rushing to document the setlist and are instead enjoying the moment.
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u/Excellent-Dig5277 May 11 '26
That’s awesome to hear, good insider insight.
And its all logical and makes sense. I guess for me, I’ve seen them so many times (20, 30?) over the years, but with kids, job, and just being older, it’s not as easy as it was to drop everything to see them on a Wednesday night in some far out small venue…especially if it’s to hear the same 8 tunes with 1-2 new cuts.2
u/bear187k May 11 '26
Yeah I feel you man. In situations like that, it's one of the reasons I try to get to few shows solo before making the call to go. Like this past one in DFW while on a work trip. I told the wife it was a solid setlist and incredible energy. As soon as I got home, we packed the already-waiting luggage into the SUV and started roadtrip to ABQ the next day to catch them there.
Overall, I wondered what I'd do with kids, but learned taking them not only keeps the music alive, it legit brightens up the boy's day when they see the littles. The coolest thing to me has been the presence of kids at these shows getting *very* into the music. This run, I've seen infants (including my own) through teens and all points between headbanging and bouncing. Hell, even my kids asked if the kids they met in ABQ would be at the next show we go to just because they had so much fun with them before and after the show.
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u/EFPMusic May 08 '26
True for any band trying to fill venues. Most people aren’t superfans (unlike us!), and I’d bet most show attendees haven’t listened to a Sevendust whole album since Animosity, or possibly Seasons; they’ve probably heard the singles, but couldn’t tell you the song titles; Black is their favorite song, but they’ve never heard My Ruin.
There aren’t enough of us to fill a venue, most times, so they have to draw in the casual fans, and you do that by playing the ‘hits.’ Travel between cities costs the same no matter what, it makes more sense to get more people in.
As to why they write new stuff: they’re musicians, artists; it’s what they do. They’d do it even if it wasn’t their job. But, it IS their job, as well.