Judas Priest, Alice Cooper, C.O.C. Take Over Biloxi
- Kevin Harris
- Sep 17
- 3 min read
In 1983, Judas Priest stormed Biloxi for the first time, sharing the stage with Iron Maiden. Fast forward 42 years, and the legends returned—this time with Alice Cooper and Corrosion of Conformity—to kick off their tour at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum. The band even spent a few days in town to warm up before the run. With the balcony closed and the lower bowl packed, it was a full house of rock loyalists ready for a night of history.
Corrosion of Conformity Ignites the Stage
Corrosion of Conformity (C.O.C.) opened the night in a way few expected—slow and melodic. Yes, you read that right. But once Pepper Keenan let out the mandatory Mississippi scream, the band’s signature grit kicked into gear. His powerful voice and growling delivery shook the room, setting the tone for the night.
Just three songs in, they unleashed their furious anthem Vote With a Bullet, which Keenan explained was born out of genuine anger. With Keenan fronting, Woody Weatherman on guitar, Mike Dean on bass, and Reed Mullin on drums, this classic lineup reminded everyone why they’ve been respected since 1982.
They closed with Clean My Wounds, featuring Stanton Moore of Galactic sitting in on drums—a killer surprise that wrapped up their set on a high note. C.O.C. left the crowd fired up and ready for the chaos to follow.
Alice Cooper Turns the Coliseum Into His Attic
Alice Cooper greeted Biloxi by welcoming fans into his “attic”—a twisted, theatrical playground where every song felt like a haunted storybook come to life. The backdrop itself was alive, with moving hands and rolling fire that made the stage as captivating as the music.
With guitarist Nita Strauss shredding alongside him (to the delight of fans everywhere), Cooper ripped through classics like Spark in the Dark, No More Mr. Nice Guy, and I’m Eighteen, keeping the crowd singing every word.
Nita Strauss searing with her solos 📸 by Chris Montgomery
Theatrics took center stage when Feed My Frankenstein summoned Cooper’s towering Frankenstein monster onto the crowd
Later, his mega-hit Poison had the Coliseum roaring as Cooper pointed into the crowd, playfully declaring individuals “poison.”
The show closed with School’s Out, complete with introductions of his razor-sharp band—arguably one of the most talented collections of hired guns in rock. Alice Cooper once again proved why his concerts are as much theater as they are music. As he signed off: “May all your dreams become nightmares.”
Judas Priest: No Age Limit on Metal
Finally, the Metal Gods themselves took the stage. As Black Sabbath’s War Pigs echoed through the arena, the crowd roared in unison. Enter Rob Halford—draped in leather, commanding the spotlight as only the Metal God can.
Priest opened with Guns Blazing, immediately setting the tone for a relentless barrage of metal anthems. Just three songs in, the Coliseum erupted for You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’, with fans on their feet, fists pumping in time.
From Breaking the Law (cue the Beavis & Butthead flashbacks) to Living After Midnight and beyond, Halford, Ian Hill, Andy Snead, Scott Travis, and Richie Faulkner showcased why Judas Priest is timeless.
Decades in, they remain sharp, loud, and unstoppable—living proof that heavy metal has no expiration date.
As the night closed, one thing was clear: if you get the chance to catch this tour, don’t miss it. Dust off the leather, grab the spikes, and bring your merch money—because Judas Priest, Alice Cooper, and C.O.C. together make for an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime show.
All three bands were good but Alice blew Priest out of the water. Love how well the Trash and Hey Stoopid albums were covered and good to see Brutal Planet and Clones back in the set.