Converging Into The Sweaty Masses.
So I stepped on down to The Social last night and, after making it through a thorough security check, found myself sweating in one of the most packed houses I’ve ever been privy to. And they say the
Despite the lack of elbow room (and a few awkward and occasionally foul scented bumps), I slid in just in time to catch the last half of a set by Coliseum, who left me extremely impressed. The crystal clear sound let both the bellow and crunch of Singer / Guitarist Ryan Patterson roar through the air, and though the audience seemed at times unsure what to think, you can be assured this writers boots were shaken. Likewise, the creative and moody work of Chris Maggio on drums surely puts the band right at home on their other dates featuring Baroness.
Genghis Tron was as delightful as a sci-fi cluster-fuck can be. A touch out of place on the line up, it definitely felt a bit compensatory that their stage show featured such extreme lighting and effects to the literal effect of a Red vs. Blue battle. However, the brutal low end drive and technical proficiency of guitarist Hamilton Jordan definitely steered it a good bit away from a Skinny Puppy tribute, and more into the metal realm. I would love to have seen this band on tour with The Dillinger Escape Plan. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to blast-beats coming from a keyboard though.
It seems quite fortuitous for my trusty Nikon that I stepped off the floor to get some air, as the awesome power that is The Red Chord had fans churning during sound check alone. Though sound was decidedly less pristine for the first few songs, I challenge anyone to find a more masculine metal icon than guitarist Mike Mckenzie, who would give a Grizzly Bear a run for its money, in both roar and stage demeanor. Definitely the most likeable band of the evening, they recounted some particularly amusing tales of past performances to empty rooms in Orlando, an appreciated and humble reminder to support local and independent musicians.
The raw energy of Converge vocalist J. Bannon inspired such a massive pit that at times I had to wonder if the venue was going to be torn down piece by piece. Grown men literally pawed at the singer so frantically that a few actually became entangled in the microphone cable, like rabid Britney fans trying to steal a piece of clothing. The sheer level of audience interaction (not to mention the mind numbing number of times he bounced across the stage) made for an amazing show true to the spirit of hardcore, and putting everything on the line for your art.
-Mike DeLancett
