my friends, i have been to some loud shows before, but this past weekend in Chicago may have rocketed to the top as far as my concert going experiences are concerned. volume levels need to be peaking for doom shows to work, and all 3 groups made the floor shake with their thunderous and punishing attacks. and Dark Castle doesn't even have a bassist, so yeah.
my trip down to Chi-town couldn't have gone smoother, despite a few construction hiccups. renting a car with Illinois plates pretty much entitled me to speed like a crazy Illinois person, which i thoroughly enjoyed. The Subterranean is in the Wicker Park hood of Chicago and despite all the hipster connotations that come with that, i came away with a positive feel from the area. the venue itself was one i would love to return to. the actual show room was on the 2nd floor with a balcony and merch area on the 3rd. bars on both levels, of course. what was in those bars was none other than my hometown brew, Point Pale Ale. i think i started to levitate in joy upon my first sip. not that i can't get Point in Madison, it was just a shocking surprise. anyway, the music...
Indian was first up and the band i was most excited to see. hailing from Chicago i expected shit to get rowdy, but that was not the case. either the crowd has seen Indian a few times and are already over them since they signed to Relapse, or they just don't get it. i didn't understand how i could be the one rocking out the hardest to another man's hometown doom outfit, but w/e. the dudes delivered the goods and played some of my favorite tracks from their latest lp "Guiltless". i mean no disrespect to Yob or Dark Castle, but Indian was the highlight of my night.
Dark Castle was a complete mystery to me and all i could really expect was extreme volume. what appeared from behind a wall of smoke was a 2-piece group headed by a female guitarist/growler. it took me a few songs to really get into it, but they laid down the grooves thick and i'm always impressed by female metal vocalists who scream better than guys. it's also worth noting that the drummer was pounding a pretty minimal kit, and i love how drummers not just get by, but explode on them.
Yob took full advantage of the building frenzy in the air and rocked right the fuck out. i ascended to the balcony for the final act and was transfixed at times. equal parts doom avalanche and hypnotic groove, Yob were simply outstanding, even with a fill in drummer. they closed with the title track of "The Great Cessation", a personal favorite and excellent way to end one of the most deafening shows i've ever been to.
all in all, a great time. worth every minute of the drive and lack of sleep. plus Madison is pretty nice at 4.30AM. give these bands a try if you like punishing doom and get out to their gigs if they roll your way.
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