Helms Alee ceremoniously jumped on the high profile Boris North American tour along with Red Sparowes this last Monday at Neumos. This short jaunt will see the band hitting the road with the much revered Japanese avant-rockers en route to California, before they begin a separate tour that will lead them across the US for a couple weeks in September.
Yes, we’ve talked about Helms a ton and yes they are indeed an amazing band-- you understand that right? Well, the bar was seriously raised Monday night as Helms Alee took the stage in the opening slot and unleashed a fully realized set that focused 90% on brand new material-- almost an entire records worth. I’ve heard tasty nuggets of this new material on a couple occasions previous but this particular show saw them going for absolute broke. Ben’s guitar work is more intricate, very melodic and chalk full of his signature rapid hammer on and off approach. The new songs feature even more vocals from Dana and Hoz than before-- an element that has always set them apart aesthetically. Helms wouldn’t be Helms though if not for those cataclysmic breakdowns-- there are frequent moments even more impressively furious than we have come to expect. I defiantly pulled out my earplugs early on in the set. Even though my hearing is essential to my existence, I had to sacrifice myself in the name of the crushing sounds spilling from Ben Verellen’s signature hand built “Meat Smoke” amplifier. To muffle the mighty Helms Alee is right up there with beating your own dog. Criminal.
Boris and Red Sparowes of course played this show. Both bands are well respected by myself and many. Red Sparowes is great on record, but boring live and I stand firm on this point. Boris on the other hand was sonically amazing, but kind of yawn as well. Don’t get me wrong, Boris is certifiable genius-- a brilliant band that have pushed the limits of what can be done in the genres of stoner, doom, and drone metal. They are artists of the highest order, but with that said after now seeing them now twice I’m still a little lukewarm on their live performance. My opinions may purely be a byproduct of personal preference but, man I was not feeling the dronier moments, and have never been a fan of Atsuo’s vocals. A bright spot was touring guitarist Michio Kurihara who did some amazing stuff with what I believe to be some sort of sustainer. It was cool to see Boris, but again not overly stoked on the performance. Commence conversation on the merits of Boris’ live show or if you wish trollish lambasting of my opinions, I can take it.
This video is of "Paraphrase" off Night Terror and unfortunetly is not one of the new tracks, ah well next time. Enjoy!
Words by Nik Christofferson
Video by Palmer Sather
0 Comments:
Post a Comment