I must confess (and you probably know this about me already, if you’re a regular PoP visitor) that I’m not a big fan of the musical genre popularly known as “post-rock”. Well, it’s basically formulaic instrumental alt-rock that more or less got pretty old after bands like Mogwai (not one of my favorite bands either) set out the basic pattern. Y’know, the soft/loud dynamic and the spider-web of guitars that oscillate endlessly.
But thanks to Daniel Sassoon, I’ve been turned on to a branch of “post-rock”, call it “post-metal” for want of a better term, that changes the game somewhat. Yes, it’s still instrumental alt-rock but this time with progressive rock and metal overtones and structures which suggests a wider palatte to excite and intrigue.
One of these so-called post-metal bands is Russian Circles. Reminiscent of other harder-edge instrumental alt-rock bands like Isis and Red Sparowes, Russian Circles super-imposes a doom-laden cadence over their intricately woven matrix of guitar riffs and dark ambiences. I guess you could say that their music sounds like Black Sabbath or Metallica (circa Black Album) sans vocals, with the music carrying the tone and atmosphere to be communicated to the listener.
With songs that typically run over six minutes, Russian Circles’ set lists do not contain too many individual songs but within those songs are myriad complicated arrangements which will keep the indie and metal fans more than sated. Which is why I am looking forward to the Russian Circles’ upcoming gig with much anticipation. Being a lover of classic prog-rock (Yes, Genesis, King Crimson) and classic hard rock (Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Rainbow, Led Zeppelin), there is going to be loads of good old fashioned “classic rock” interpreted in the “post-rock” style.
With our very own instrumental masters, In Each Hand A Cutlass opening, this is one concert not to be missed.
Info:
*****
Date: 18 Sept 2010, Saturday
Venue: ZOUK
Time: 7pm doors open
Ticket prices: $55 (presale) / $65 (at door) – includes 1 standard (i.e. housepour) drink
OFFICIAL BEER: Heineken
*****
Tickets on sale 1 September 2010 (Wed) onwards.
Other ticketing enquiries: email ticketing <at> kittywurecords <dot> com or call 8359 8746
Tickets sold at these places (CASH payment terms only):
HELL’S LABYRINTH (3 Coleman Street, Peninsula Shopping Centre, #04-14)
Opening Hours: 1:30PM to 7:30PM (Tues – Sun) Closed on Monday
PRAISE BUGIS (200 Victoria St, Bugis Junction #03-22A / Tel: 6337 2910)
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm daily
PRAISE CINELEISURE (8 Grange Rd, Orchard Cineleisure, #02-04 / Tel: 6735 3122)
Opening Hours:
12:30pm – 10:30pm (Mon-Thu & Sun)
12:30pm – 11:30pm (Fri)
12:00pm – 12:30am (Sat)
PRAISE FAR EAST PLAZA (14 Scotts Road, Far East Plaza #03-84 / Tel: 6738 8324)
Opening Hours:
1:00pm – 9:00pm (Mon-Thur & Sun)
1:00pm – 9:30pm (Fri & Sat)
Tickets also available for online purchase (PayPal only) at www.kittywurecords.com