Archive for the Concert Reviews Category

Concert Review: Battlefields, Irepress, Frontier, Vernal Pool @ the Triple Rock Social Club

Posted in Concert Reviews with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on Thursday, March 12, 2009 by Ryan Buege

Battlefields live at the Triple Rock Social Club

It was Wednesday night, and the turnout was surprisingly good for the show at Triple Rock Social Club featuring a billing Battlefields, Irepress, Frontier, and Vernal Pool. For braving the cold, fans in attendance were treated to a perfectionist display of some visionary one-of-a-kind doom, post, and progressive metal from some bands that the music community is sure to be hearing much more of in the future. Though clearly young bands, both Battlefields and Irepress played like veterans of their craft during their brief appearances, with the former opting for a punishing, unpredictable brute force doom, gloom, and hardcore and the latter playing an impassioned, progressive and riff heavy style of post-rock. The enthusiasm was noticeably high (especially for a doom metal show) even throughout the open sets of slow, plodding doom by Vernal Pool and jagged, riff heavy post-metal from Frontier, as well, and I guarantee that every band playing earned themselves a few new fans that night. The Battlefields and Irepress tour is now headed down to SXSW, and I urge anyone in their path to go see it. For now check out the small set of photos from the Wednesday night show at Triple Rock (ps. unfortunately I could only get a few, as my camera battery died soon after Vernal Pool and I didn’t bring a spare – live and learn).

Battlefields live at the Triple Rock Social Club(Battlefields)

Irepress live at the Triple Rock Social Club(Irepress)

Frontier live at the Triple Rock Social Club(Frontier)

Vernal Pool live at the Triple Rock Social Club(Vernal Pool)

I’ve still got quite a few more photos after the jump.. Keep reading! Continue reading

Concert Photo Recap: These Arms Are Snakes, Darker My Love, All the Saints @ Triple Rock Social Club

Posted in Concert Reviews with tags , , , , , , , , on Friday, February 27, 2009 by Ryan Buege

These Arms Are Snakes live at the Triple Rock Social Club - 02/26/09Last night, These Arms Are Snakes, Darker My Love, All the Saints(, and one other band that I unfortunately missed) played to a small crowd at the Triple Rock Social Club in Minneapolis, MN. These are some photos:

These Arms Are Snakes live at the Triple Rock Social Club - 02/26/09(These Arms Are Snakes)

These Arms Are Snakes live at the Triple Rock Social Club - 02/26/09(These Arms Are Snakes)

These Arms Are Snakes live at the Triple Rock Social Club - 02/26/09(These Arms Are Snakes)

Darker My Love live at the Triple Rock Social Club - 02/26/09(Darker My Love)

Darker My Love live at the Triple Rock Social Club - 02/26/09(Darker My Love)

All the Saints live at the Triple Rock Social Club - 02/26/09(All the Saints)

Don’t stop there! We’ve still got many more great photos from this chaotic, noisy night; keep reading… Continue reading

Concert Recap: Blitzen Trapper, Alela Diane @ First Avenue

Posted in Concert Reviews with tags , , , , , , , on Thursday, February 19, 2009 by Erik Burg

On an unbearably cold Minnesota night, Blitzen Trapper and Alela Diane warmed the hearts of a near sold out First Avenue Main Room. “I don’t think I’ve ever been anywhere this cold before” Alela Diane said in between one of her songs. The opening act was a nice surprise actually, though at many times overly folk to the point where I would have considered it Country. The singer’s voice was absolutely amazing and soared throughout the venue, exciting the all ages crew on Wednesday. They covered Fleetwood Mac beautifully, what else can a guy ask for really?

Check ‘Em Out: Blitzen Trapper – “Furr” Alela Diane – “White As Diamonds”

Blitzen Trapper delivered an amazing show as well, playing tunes new and old, and even a cover of what the lead singer called “his grandmother’s favorite song.” I was a bit surprised at how excited the crowd got at different points in the set, maybe it was the booze, maybe the anger being taken out at the weather, maybe the actual song, who knows. I digress, “Furr” was far and away the highlight of the night, with it’s harmonica and acoustic wonderment, Blitzen Trapper impressed me beyond what I expected. The lead singer’s work on the acoustic guitar was jaw-dropping at points, and the drummer’s little quips in between songs was a nice treat, at one point even joking that “you should probably cut my mic.” The evening was all-in-all delightful, met some new friends, enjoyed great music, and stayed warm. Can’t beat that. Enjoy some photos below and more HERE

Alela Diane

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Blitzen Trapper

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Concert Photo Recap: Meshuggah, Cynic, and The Faceless @ Station 4

Posted in Concert Reviews with tags , , , , , , , , , , on Monday, February 16, 2009 by Ryan Buege

Meshuggah live at Station 4

Wow! I don’t think I should be allowed to review this one beyond that one word, seeing as how all these bands place among my favorite active music groups (uh yeah, if you didn’t realize yet, I’ve got a very soft spot in my heart for progressive metal). Years of anticipation for both Meshuggah and Cynic to play again in Minnesota were met with great rewards on Friday, February 13th at Station 4 in St. Paul, MN, with both bands dishing out equal servings of old and new mind-boggling progressive metal. Though nearly half the age of the members of the other bands, The Faceless were right at home on the bill and seemed to turn quite a few heads.

It’s always very difficult getting any good photos at Station 4 when you don’t line up a photo pass. When Station 4 is packed with a metal hungry sold out crowd that is switched on into tornado-mode, thrashing to Meshuggah, it becomes nearly impossible. I did my best, and surprisingly got quite a few keepers. Here are the photos from the Meshuggah, Cynic, and The Faceless show at Station 4:

Meshuggah live at Station 4(Meshuggah)

Meshuggah live at Station 4(Meshuggah)

Cynic live at Station 4(Cynic)

Cynic live at Station 4(Cynic)

The Faceless live at Station 4(The Faceless)

Keep viewing the gallery! There’s still many photos of Meshuggah, Cynic, and The Faceless left, so just hit read more to continue… Continue reading

Concert Review: Fujiya & Miyagi, School of Seven Bells @ 7th Street Entry

Posted in Concert Reviews with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on Friday, February 13, 2009 by Ryan Buege

Fujiyai & MiyagiFujiya & Miyagi came to the 7th St. Entry on Wednesday Feb. 11th with School of Seven Bells, and the show was nothing short of spectacular. The sold out basement club was packed wall-to-wall with a crowd who were highly anticipating the opening performance from SVIIB, and their fuzzed out, dreamy, drony psychedelic pop created an intoxicating atmosphere that did not fade until they left the stage. Sounding ultra classic, futuristic, AND foreign all at once, the twins of School of Seven Bells blend heavenly melodies over the hypnotic driving backbone of Benjamin Curtis’s guitar and electronic experimentation. Fujiya & Miyagi were even more powerful than I imagined they would be, with their bouncy electronic psych rock aided by the powerful presence of a full band. Depending on the point in their set, the crowd might have been dancing to the rhythm or swaying to the spacey fretwork; either way, it was always all fun for those who were wise enough to stick around. We were there all night and were able to snap a few photos; view them below!

Fujiyai & Miyagi(Fujiya & Miyagi)

Fujiyai & Miyagi(Fujiya & Miyagi)

Fujiyai & Miyagi(Fujiya & Miyagi)

Fujiyai & Miyagi(Fujiya & Miyagi)

School of Seven Bells(School Of Seven Bells)

School Of Seven Bells(School Of Seven Bells)

School Of Seven Bells(School Of Seven Bells)

School Of Seven Bells(School Of Seven Bells)

Don’t stop there! We’ve got LOTS more great photos after the jump! Click read more to keep viewing the album: Continue reading

Concert Review: Tapes ‘n Tapes, Solid Gold, and Wild Light @ First Avenue

Posted in Concert Reviews with tags , , , , , , , , , , on Saturday, February 7, 2009 by Erik Burg

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Tapes ‘n Tapes played to a sold out hometown crowd Friday night at First Avenue, delighting the fans with songs old, new, and newer. The opening act for the night, Solid Gold stole the show once again, re-affirming my notion that these guys are the next huge group to come out of the Minneapolis area. There was as much energy from the crowd for Solid Gold as there was for anybody else Friday. Wild Light left plenty do be desired; however, doing their best Bruce Springsteen impressions. You kind of had to be there to know what I mean. But I digress, the entire night was a terrific experience from the DJs to the last encore. Tapes ‘n Tapes played one new track which was a big slower than many of the jams they played throughout the rest of the set, but in album I’m sure it’s going to sound great. The crowd was into it, the bands were into it, not much for to add. Sorry if you missed out, but I’ve got a slew of pictures to take you there anyway, or to just re live the memories. Enjoy! MORE HERE

Tapes ‘N Tapes
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Solid Gold
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Continue reading

Concert Photo Recap: Solid Gold, Military Special @ the Uptown Bar

Posted in Concert Reviews with tags , , , , , , on Monday, February 2, 2009 by Ryan Buege

Solid Gold and Military Special played to another full venue on January 28th, 2009 at the Uptown Bar in Minneapolis. Enjoy these photos:

Solid GoldSolid Gold

Solid Gold

Solid Gold

Solid Gold

Solid Gold

Solid Gold
Continue reading

Concert Photo Recap: Solid Gold, Lookbook, and DJ Gigamesh @ the Turf Club

Posted in Concert Reviews with tags , , , , , , , on Monday, January 19, 2009 by Ryan Buege

Solid Gold played to a lively, capacity crowd at the Turf Club on January 16 in St. Paul. Lookbook opened up the night and DJ Gigamesh provided the music for the dancefloor before, in-between, and after the sets. Here are some photos:

Solid Gold
Solid Gold @ the Turf Club

Solid Gold @ the Turf Club

Solid Gold @ the Turf Club

Solid Gold @ the Turf Club

Solid Gold @ the Turf Club

Solid Gold @ the Turf Club

Solid Gold @ the Turf Club

Lookbook
Lookbook @ the Turf Club

Lookbook @ the Turf Club

Lookbook @ the Turf Club

Lookbook @ the Turf Club

DJ Gigamesh
DJ Gigamesh @ the Turf Club

Concert Photo Recap: Høst, Vernal Pool, Said the Shotgun to the Head, Ambassador Gun, and Desolate Void @ the Hexagon

Posted in Concert Reviews with tags , , , , , , , , , on Monday, January 12, 2009 by Ryan Buege

This was an amazing show on Saturday night (Jan. 10, 2009) at the Hexagon bar in Minneapolis from up-and-coming progressive/experimental black metal band Høst from Fargo. The show was opened by local psychedelic drone/doomgazers Vernal Pool, mathcore riff masters Said the Shotgun to the Head, death-grinders Ambassador Gun, and Eau Claire metal band Desolate Void

Høst
Høst live @ the Hexagon Bar - January 2009

Høst live @ the Hexagon Bar - January 2009

Vernal Pool
Vernal Pool live @ the Hexagon Bar - January 2009

Vernal Pool live @ the Hexagon Bar - January 2009

Said the Shotgun to the Head
Said the Shotgun to the Head live @ the Hexagon Bar - January 2009

Ambassador Gun
Ambassador Gun live @ the Hexagon Bar - January 2009

Desolate Void
Desolate Void live @ the Hexagon Bar - January 2009
Continue reading

Concert Photo Recap: Blue Ox, Ambassador Gun @ the Uptown Bar

Posted in Concert Reviews with tags , , , , , , , , , , on Monday, December 22, 2008 by Ryan Buege

Last night at the Uptown Bar in Minneapolis, Blue Ox and Ambassador Gun both played brilliant sets of bludgeoning death-n-roll stoner metal and razor sharp grindcore respectively. Although I missed the opening two bands (..I heard Nobot was very good electro psych..) thanks to the shitty road conditions, the fun shows that both these bands put on made the cold trip worth the while for me and the small group of my fellow drunken metalheads in attendance that night. AG even broke out an spot on cover of Sepultura’s infamous “Territory” to close their set! Here are some photos:

Blue Ox
Blue Ox live at the Uptown Bar
Blue Ox live at the Uptown Bar
Blue Ox live at the Uptown Bar
Blue Ox live at the Uptown Bar
Blue Ox live at the Uptown Bar

Ambassador Gun
Ambassador Gun live at the Uptown Bar
Ambassador Gun live at the Uptown Bar
Ambassador Gun live at the Uptown Bar

Full album of photos from both bands available on Facebook!