SteveC
The music hall at World Cafe Live is another fantastic venue, the perfect blend of intimate and accommodating; it handles a legit band with a substantial fanbase exceptionally well. The three-piece from Chicago was no exception.
If you asked anyone at the show how they would describe the sonic nature of Mike Sullivan, Dave Turncrantz, and Brian Cook, it was most likely “wall of sound.” Heavy tremolo picking from the lead drenched in echo/delay/modulation created pads of sound that swelled like a looming storm over the horizon—a growling bass line, unrelenting in its pursuit to punch you in the chest. The drums, like a thunderstorm that, though chaotic, felt intentional and drove the group to different sonic twists and turns. Again, out of nowhere, the band augments the measure with yet another riff and transition.
Unfortunately, your mind can’t comprehend the change until it’s too late, and you’re being whisked away into the next dimension of this sonic beat down in the key of stink face.
Their sound is melodic yet guttural. You feel it in your chest, but it doesn’t hit like your typical metal act with screaming leads and ample vox. Instead, Russian Circles lays down HUGE, chuggy riffs that knock you on your ass. Filling the venue with sonic pleasure but lacking any vocals, every riff, measure, and note feels intentional.
The crowd was fantastic, engaged, and excited. Additionally, because the Phillies were playing, we had some guy yelling out score updates between songs. Please take it as you will, but most folks appreciated it.
My initial take on this band was way off, and I likened their show to a less brutal, more technical show akin to Monolord and other stoner, doom, psych, or progressive metal acts I’ve been fortunate to see.
Post-show we ran into the guys from So… It’s Come To This, a post-rock / prog-rock band out of Harrisburg. Great guys, you should check out their music if you’re at all interested in these types of tunes.
7ftSicilians 
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