0 Adult Swim Tour: Converge @ Wamu Theater (10-3-09)

Also a part of the dream metal billing from last Saturday at Wamu Theater-- Salem, Massachusetts’ Converge stormed the stage like a band with something to prove. From the wicked opening riff of “Plagues” off 2006’s No Heroes, to the brutal “Black Cloud” and “Heroes” off 2004’s You Fail Me, to “Concubine” off 2001’s Jane Doe, to the new songs “Dark Horse” and “Axe To Fall” the band premiered from their soon to be released epic “Axe To Fall”, Converge was a band possessed. I have seen Converge now 5 times, twice at El Corazon, once prior with Mastodon at Showbox at the Market in 2006, and again with Neurosis in 2008. Even after seeing them up close and personal during those cramped El Corazon shows, one even including their brothers from Massachusetts Cave In, I think this performance may be my favorite to date. Of course it’s the freshest in my memory, but this time Jacob Bannon’s soul baring delivery, Kurt Ballou’s intense complex riffs, Nate Newton’s monster bass grooves, and Ben Koller’s technical drum clinic absolutely blew my mind. I remember standing there thinking to myself with my jaw on the ground is this really happening, these are real people making this glorious noise?

The best moments of a Converge show are when all four members are in complete metal mayhem mode. Bannon prowls the stage while swinging his mic cord in circles, Newton does his signature bass running man dance, and Kurt and Ben with necks snapping, play their respective instruments like their lives depend on it. Last Saturday bodies were flying all over that stage and in the crowd and Converge showed that even after 18 years in existence they are at the top of their game and deliver one of the most intense live shows available.

Down at El Corazon on Saturday another big show was going down, as Seattle hardcore legends Undertow fronted by John Pettibone were playing a reunion gig along with a bunch of other well known and local hardcore bands including Unbroken. A lot of speculation was flying around as to who would be the special guest listed on the billing. That special guest ended up being Converge. They played 8 songs for a very lucky crowd. Wish I could have been at this one too. Here are some videos of that performance. Cheers!