Metal Legends Conquer Connecticut: Alice Cooper, Judas Priest & C.O.C. Ignite Bridgeport

Sep 24, 2025

On September 23, 2025, the Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater in Bridgeport, CT hosted one of the biggest heavy metal events of the year. Fans were treated to a triple bill of Corrosion of Conformity, Judas Priest, and Alice Cooper — a night packed with legendary performances, surprise guests, and unforgettable setlists.

Backstage Vibes

Arriving early offered a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse of the tour. The vibe backstage was surprisingly relaxed:

Glenn Sobel, Alice Cooper’s drummer, was spotted doing exercise laps.
Chuck Garric (Alice’s bassist) chatted casually with fans.
Pepper Keenan and Woody Weatherman from Corrosion of Conformity enjoyed some downtime with cigars and beers.

In the catering area, things were unexpectedly wholesome: turkey meatloaf, salads, yogurt, and coffee replaced the stereotypical rock ’n’ roll chaos. Even Rob Halford, dressed in black shirt and shorts, kept it chill in his private area.

Corrosion of Conformity

Though limited to just 30 minutes, C.O.C. made every second count. Their setlist featured classics like:

Albatross
Clean My Wounds
Cuts from Wiseblood

The revamped rhythm section was tight, and Pepper hinted at big news — the band has recorded enough material for two upcoming albums, plus a recent Free cover release.

Judas Priest

What more can you say about the Metal Gods? Rob Halford was on absolute fire, his voice soaring through a Painkiller-heavy setlist. Highlights included:

Deep cut Solar Angels
Newer tracks Gates of Hell and Giants in the Sky

The band stormed the stage with high energy, killer visuals, and a perfectly balanced 75-minute set. Simply put: Judas Priest proved once again why they are heavy metal royalty.

Alice Cooper

If anyone could follow Judas Priest, it’s Alice Cooper. His new stage show, rumored to be called “Alice’s Attic,” was a spectacle of theatrical rock. Alice dug deep into the catalog, pulling out rarities from:

Trash
Hey Stoopid
Brutal Planet
Dirty Diamonds

Backed by his powerhouse band — Chuck Garric, Tommy Henriksen, Nita Strauss, Ryan Roxie, and Glenn Sobel — Alice delivered both nostalgia and fresh surprises.

The night’s biggest treat came when original Alice Cooper bassist Dennis Dunaway joined for I’m 18 and School’s Out. As a Connecticut native, his appearance made the crowd erupt.

Final Thoughts

Three legendary acts. One unforgettable night.

The Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater provided the perfect backdrop — a converted minor league baseball park where freight trains rumbled by in the distance, adding to the atmosphere.

For me, this was the best classic metal tour of the summer. Sharing it with my friend and fellow podcaster Kenny Kessel from The Metal Voice made the night even more special.