Boris put on the loudest show of any concert I've ever attended last night. Holy fucking shit. A buddy described it as like "standing in front of a jet engine," and that's not far from the truth at all. I've been to other loud bands, but this was more than loud. This was the first show I've ever been to you can literally feel everything, from the guitars to the drums inside your chest and throat. It's like a sonic massage, or perhaps more appropriately, a sonic death-wave that destroys your body on a molecular level.

I don't know what genre of music Boris fall into, if any; they play a heavy, occasionally drony, occasionally thrashing version of something that reminds of me of metal, but really isn't. In fact, I don't normally go to shows like this one, nor am I normally into bands that sound like this. But after getting a hold of Pink earlier this summer, and hearing its blissful, noise-bomb opener, I was sold. The album rocks, and I expected as much from the show. What I didn't expect was the theatrical, at times ceremonial, nature that Boris employed to destroy everyone's hearing. From the call and response gong-banging, to the hyper intense meditative thrashing between the bassist and the guitar player, Boris know how to demand respect. And they certainly have mine.

If you're going to go see this band, wear ear plugs or you'll hate yourself. I recommend these enthusiastically: ER 20's. They're only $12, your hearing is worth a lot more than that.

Also, check out the opener of Pink (via pitchfork):
Boris - Farewell

Boris
Southern Lord (label)

Labels: Concert Reviews