Quick survey folks, what would people think if I posted things here that weren’t per se reviews?
Ideas include: Rants about the industry, pieces about specific bands/genreras et.
Anyone?
Just brainstorming things to put here between shows/albums.
September 20, 2010
September 2, 2010
9/1/10: Appcalptca w/ Dir En Grey and Evaline
The Venue: (3/5) HOB, Chicago. See previous reviews
The Crowd:(3/5) I’m gong to be honest, I wasn’t paying attention to the crowd as I was a bit distracted. But there was good crowd action, and they even participated when the band wasn’t its strongest. They erupted when Dir en Grey came out and were not raucous as some crowds i’ve seen, but still had energy.
Evaline(2/5): Sometimes, there is a reason a band is just the opener and not the headliner. Evaline was simply discordant and the vocalist had no talent to speak of live, recorded they were slightly better, but all told Front man,
Richard Perry needs to learn to articulate. Evaline sound disorganized and ultimately not worth paying attention too. They earned a point for their drum-work. I suspect the drummer is what holds the band together and at one point every member took a drum and played. It was much ore engaging than the rest of the act.
Dir En Grey(4/5) I had rather low hopes for DIr En Grey, as they were only average recorded and they’re of a genera (Visual Kei) that is notorious for disturbing, shock value lyrics. However, I assume most of the fan-base in the US was blissfully unaware of this element as the majority of their songs are in Japanese.
Front man, Kyo has an insane range, and verity of sounds he can produce. Everything from deep, long death grunts, to high pitched 80’s style shrieks, to melodic tenor vocals that bordered on operatic. If the range weren’t enough, he had unparalleled stage presence and inexhaustible energy. He is also unfathomably committed as he’s apparently had three vocal surgeries and is still going strong.
Even without knowing the lyrics, the atmosphere defiantly evokes darker sentiments. The listener is certainly aware they aren’t sining about lollypops and butterflies.
especially.
It’s not music for everybody, especially if you’re like me and look at the translations which I’m not going to link to because of their violent nature. Its full of strange vocalizations, and lots of bright lights. However, I enjoyed it throughly and it certainly takes a vast degree of talent to make the sort of music they have.
Apocalyptica (4/5) It’s quite a feat to even describe Apocalyptica, let alone properly review one of their shows. The band is comprised of three cellos and a drummer. And they play metal. Occasionally, they bring in guest vocalists, or as is the case with live shows, a touring vocalist. But thats all of them. The vast majority of their numbers are instrumental, yet they managed to tare the roof off a packed venue of metal-heads. Weather playing carrying what amounted to cello chamber music or running the length of the stage while carrying and playing the cello(holding it like a guitar at some points)they engaged the audience thoroughly.
Just seeing Apocalyptica is something to behold, beyond even their huge talent. They are four muscular men three of which have easily waist length hair and more closely resemble members of lacuna coil, than cellists (well one’s drummer). An they head bang while playing things that make you sit up and take notice.
Their playing is innovative and flawless. If i hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, i wold have believed they brought in a guitarist in places. They are a powerhouse of energy and talent. Quite simply astounding.
The Crowd:(3/5) I’m gong to be honest, I wasn’t paying attention to the crowd as I was a bit distracted. But there was good crowd action, and they even participated when the band wasn’t its strongest. They erupted when Dir en Grey came out and were not raucous as some crowds i’ve seen, but still had energy.
Evaline(2/5): Sometimes, there is a reason a band is just the opener and not the headliner. Evaline was simply discordant and the vocalist had no talent to speak of live, recorded they were slightly better, but all told Front man,
Richard Perry needs to learn to articulate. Evaline sound disorganized and ultimately not worth paying attention too. They earned a point for their drum-work. I suspect the drummer is what holds the band together and at one point every member took a drum and played. It was much ore engaging than the rest of the act.
Dir En Grey(4/5) I had rather low hopes for DIr En Grey, as they were only average recorded and they’re of a genera (Visual Kei) that is notorious for disturbing, shock value lyrics. However, I assume most of the fan-base in the US was blissfully unaware of this element as the majority of their songs are in Japanese.
Front man, Kyo has an insane range, and verity of sounds he can produce. Everything from deep, long death grunts, to high pitched 80’s style shrieks, to melodic tenor vocals that bordered on operatic. If the range weren’t enough, he had unparalleled stage presence and inexhaustible energy. He is also unfathomably committed as he’s apparently had three vocal surgeries and is still going strong.
Even without knowing the lyrics, the atmosphere defiantly evokes darker sentiments. The listener is certainly aware they aren’t sining about lollypops and butterflies.
especially.
It’s not music for everybody, especially if you’re like me and look at the translations which I’m not going to link to because of their violent nature. Its full of strange vocalizations, and lots of bright lights. However, I enjoyed it throughly and it certainly takes a vast degree of talent to make the sort of music they have.
Apocalyptica (4/5) It’s quite a feat to even describe Apocalyptica, let alone properly review one of their shows. The band is comprised of three cellos and a drummer. And they play metal. Occasionally, they bring in guest vocalists, or as is the case with live shows, a touring vocalist. But thats all of them. The vast majority of their numbers are instrumental, yet they managed to tare the roof off a packed venue of metal-heads. Weather playing carrying what amounted to cello chamber music or running the length of the stage while carrying and playing the cello(holding it like a guitar at some points)they engaged the audience thoroughly.
Just seeing Apocalyptica is something to behold, beyond even their huge talent. They are four muscular men three of which have easily waist length hair and more closely resemble members of lacuna coil, than cellists (well one’s drummer). An they head bang while playing things that make you sit up and take notice.
Their playing is innovative and flawless. If i hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, i wold have believed they brought in a guitarist in places. They are a powerhouse of energy and talent. Quite simply astounding.
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