High on Fire, Torche, Kylesa
October 24, 2010
Webster Hall
New York City
The amazing roster to this evening’s show began with Kylesa. Having seen these guys many times before, the one difference this time was that they were on a big stage and not crammed into a tiny sweaty club. They walked out and blasted into their set sounding bigger than ever. The mix was great, balanced and clear making it easy to distinguish every member’s parts, especially important since they employ two drummers. One thing more obvious, was singer/guitarist Laura Pleasants’ role in the band. She was front-and-center focus the entire night, juggled most guitar leads, and the majority of the vocals. Her status as front woman is becoming more dominant as the band moves forward with their new label Season of Mist and marketed as “The Heaviest Indie Rock Band.” Other vocalist/guitarist, Phillip Cope, lent his hardcore chant vocals and guitar textures balancing the dynamic approach of the band, adding even more psychedelic flavor to their sound. Most of the songs came from the last release Static Tensions, which was a favorite to many in the crowd judging by the audience’s enthusiastic response.
Next on the bill was Torche, watching them come on stage I wasn’t sure what to expect because of a couple of variables like the lack of a second guitarist and due to drummer Rick Smith’s absence due to a same-day family emergency. All things considered everything sounded massive and tight. They played what was the majority of their new release Songs for Singles flawlessly, as well as, many songs that cover their entire catalogue. Highlights for me were the older songs, such as “Safe,” “Rockit,” and “Charge of the Brown Recluse”. Surprisingly, they left out arguably their most popular tunes “Across the Shields” and “Healer” off of Meanderthal, which I expected to be pulled out in an encore at least. Either way it was good to see these guys having a great time onstage smiling away and playing with Van Halen-like flair throughout the entire set.
The show concluded with the all mighty headliner High on Fire. Matt Pike walked out ready to rock this crowd who seemed very tame (my guess it was the $8 cocktails and everyone was still sober), but were awaken by the riffmaster Pike’s presence - first chord, fists were pumping and the crowd was howling along. Like Lemmy’s little brother, Matt Pike is definitely one of a kind. The tattooed, chronically shirtless frontman is a living legend and a true lifer to the metal lifestyle. He marches onstage, commanding everyone in the crowd individually, making sure they are giving him the feedback he deserves and in between songs his roadies/part time bartenders, keep the man fueled with whiskey. As a whole, the band sounded great with the exception of some bass drum hick-ups due to a mic issue or something that sounded off at times, I’m not sure what the deal was and nevertheless was a small issue. The mighty three piece hammered through songs from “Blessed Black Wings,” “Death is this Communion,” and “Snakes for the Divine,” whose title track provided an anthem-like quality similar to AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck.” Playing for almost an hour performing most of the fan favorites, these guys they left the crowd satisfied with no use for an encore. Great stage presence was provided by all of the bands performing this night. Playing with the same passion and in certain cases, adding more intensity than some popular groups seem to lose instead of gain once they become vets in the scene.
-Nick Emde
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