Russian Circles, Deafheaven - Speakeasy, Belfast
Russian Circles, Deafheaven
Speakeasy, Belfast
Thurs 26th April
First up are San Francisco bandDeafheaven who open the night with 'Violet', the twelve minute masterpiece off their newly released album 'Roads To Judah'. With the volume up full and their shoegaze-y style of black metal, it isn't long before every head in the Speakeasy is swaying along to their atmospheric sounds.
Breaking into the tragically bleak opening sequence of their most recognizable song 'Unrequited', a big slab of pure intensity is dropped making it obvious that these guys have the agility, touch and range of post rockers alike. With the quality of their music, anyone here tonight now knows that black metal doesn't need to be performed by long haired Norwegians covered in corpse paint.
Since their first album 'Enter', Russian Circles have always been incredibly adept at creating swathes of atmosphere, and emerging with the beautiful 'Carpe' , it evokes a tremendous reaction from the anticipating crowd. Seamlessly flowing through complex guitar-scapes that stem from only two instruments, 'Geneva' rolls out of the soundfuzz and immediately launches mortars of bass.
What makes their music so enjoyable is the massive wall of distortion and pummeling drums they create, with moments of great poise and tension before releasing it as a ferocious wave. Going back to the new material, '309' feels like an incredibly mature composition from the trio, before ending the night with the almost orchestral 'Death Rides A Horse' with guitar sounds being blunted and sharpened to create a swirling sea of sound.
Tonight's gig is one enjoyed by all in attendance, and it's only a pity that Russian Circles haven't pulled in a larger crowd.
Lucy Rehill
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