October 8th, 2017 – Rickshaw Theatre, Vancouver BC
Pioneers of extreme noise metal Endon opened the night with a punishingly intense and captivating set. I can’t quite put my finger on exactly what it is that makes these guys so engaging, all I know is it’s really hard to look away from them when they’re performing. There’s a certain cohesiveness to the way they structure the incongruous elements of their music that always ensures that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, and with a delivery so ferocious, it just becomes entrancing to watch, half-expecting the whole thing to come flying off the rails and crush you at any given instant. One of the most satisfying live performances one could wish for.
Sumac took the stage next, in a way serving as a very fitting transition from Endon’s unadulterated chaos to the enrapturing loud presence that is Boris. With Brian Cook on tour with Russian Circles at the time, this performance featured the legendary Joe Preston on bass duties. I’m always struck by how, no matter what, once these guys hit the stage they’re always tight as fuck, and they seem to have more fun playing than they did the previous time. A solid set as always.
Boris, on tour to support the release of Dear – in addition to celebrating their 25th year of existence as a band – wasted no time in getting right to what they’re known for doing best: being loud in their own way, unapologetically. Having photographed the entire show thus far, I’ll admit that the lighting was less than ideal. However, once Boris had hit the stage, the room was so completely enshrouded in smoke, that didn’t matter anymore. I did the best I could while I could, put the camera down and just let myself become immersed in the crushing beauty that is Boris. This was a great night.
ENDON
SUMAC
BORIS
