To the uninitiated, Earth would look like just any other band. A
three-piece with a modest set-up, some members with a few tattoos, and
introducing themselves to the crowd and politely asking people to not
use flash, but encouraging them to record the show. However, Dylan
Carlson and company make up one of the most influential underground
bands of the 90s heavy rock/metal scene. On a chilly Tuesday night at
the recordBar in Westport, the band trudged through seven songs in 80
minutes to a crowd that was receptive to the music when they weren't
zoned out in the droning riffs.
Earth is, has been, and always will be firmly rooted in drone metal. But
within that planting, they dabble around in riffing and beats that are
more Boris than Sunn O))). Speaking of Boris, opening song "Old Black"
from the 2011 album "Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light I" is proof
that Carlson's guitar playing and song structures have directly
influenced the Japanese band, namely the album "Flood." The band
switched back and forth between old and new songs, performing three
tracks off their upcoming album to be released in July. They seem a bit
more darn and ambitious than their past few albums, especially on the
new track "There Is A Serpent Coming." The rest of the set featured
"Coda Mestoso In F (Flat) Minor" from 1996's "Pentastar: In The Style Of
Demons," albeit with a reworked intro. Carlson joked that it was the
last album of theirs before this upcoming album to feature vocals. The
trio also performed "The Bees Made Honey In The Lion's Skull" from the
same-titled 2008 release, and ended with "Ouroboros Is Broken," which
was far and away the heaviest song of the night, which is saying
something when it comes to Earth.
Earth seemed to have reworked all of their songs into a live setting.
Take "Ouroboros Is Broken" for example. Originally a 20-minute drone
piece on a 1991 EP, it was later re-worked into an 8-minute track in
2007, however it was much softer there. Live, the band seemed to
straddle the line between the two song lengths, but performed the song
heavier than it has ever been recorded. The same can be said for "Coda
Mestoso," a groovy, drone-y piece on album but absolutely crushing live.
It's the sign of a great band - rework the songs for a live setting
that can make fans appreciate both the recorded and the live versions.
Not every band can pull this off, but Earth do it easily.
Opening the show was local band Expo '70. They were a perfect blend of
Kyuss and Earthless - at times being very catchy heavy stoner rock
before melting into a huge, long, psychedelic metal jam session. I'd
heard of the band before but never got around to checking them out, but I
might just have a new favorite local opening band. I haven't been this
impressed with a first listen to a local band in a very, very long time.
1. Old Black
2. There Is A Serpent Coming (new song)
3. The Bees Made Honey In The Lion's Skull
4. Rooks Across The Gate (new song)
5. Coda Maestoso In F (Flat) Minor (with re-worked intro)
6. Badger (new song)
7. Ouroboros Is Broken
Earth: 9/10
Expo '70: 8.5/10
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