I am a Los Angeles-based twentysomething. I have a profession, and I have a secret life in music, and this blog isn't about any of that. I like Blogger because I can't read what you're thinking.
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Monday, October 15
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ANOTHER EDITION IN: HOLY FUCKING SHIT
I saw Between the Buried and Me live this weekend.
...STONED.
No, but really, it was fucking ridiculous. They played their latest album, Colors, in its entirety (there was no stopping in between songs). Their encore was an oldie called "Selkies: The Endless Obsession", which we'll get to in a bit.
In the vast number of shows I have under my belt, this is only the second time I'd ever seen a metal show (the first was Poison the Well, in high school, and I think I was clinically dead at one point). I had to suspend all biases and enter BTBAM's show with an open mind; while their album proved to be mind-blowing in execution, I had HUGE doubts that such perfect studio musicianship could be translated in a live show with equal effect.
This is a progressive metal band. The core of BTBAM's sound is loud chaos with momentarily lapses of colorful beauty: in it are impeccably perfect drumming, guitar work that defies all conventions in harmony, a conflicting bass guitar, and vocals that will either tear you a new asshole, or comfort you (the timing on switching between the two is highly impressive). Moments in their monster art are interrupted by these wishy-washy sounds sweet enough for a really smart pop song. They blend contrasting styles seamlessly. This is a band you do NOT want to fuck with.
The sold-out crowd stood for the entire show in a sedated state (pot), seemingly astonished by how literally perfect BTBAM raped the stage. There are no moments in their music that will leave you bored because something is constantly changing in their sound -- whether it be timing, key, mood, or pulse, it's this AIDS-like virus of sound with an aim to scare the living shit out of you.
It's no doubt that this band is made up of nerds -- you can tell they love the mathematics of timing and the manipulation of sounds with no rule. If your calculus tutor could kick your ass, then these are your guys.
There are several more stops on their current tour -- go. If you're not accustomed to the sound, then I suggest you arrive at the moment BTBAM hit the stage; enduring opening bands with equally loud volume will have you leaving the show with MASSIVE mental exhaustion. This show is very powerful, loud and overwhelming with surprises, and I do not suggest it if you are in any way live-music weak.
The encore was this song. Fast forward to 1:38.
Okay, now tell me it doesn't sound like this:
I'm just sayin'.
Funniest moment of the night: in-between-bands sound check.
Normally, the singer goes, "Check. Check. One, two."
In metal shows -- no joke -- they go, "CHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEECKKKK!!!! CHEECCCKKK!! *shriek* CHEEEEEEEEECKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
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