Alcest played Public Assembly in Brooklyn on Saturday (3/31) with support from Los Angeles’ Deafheaven and New York’s Vaura. It was Alcest’s first NYC appearance since their tour with Enslaved last September, following the release of Alcest’s Les Voyages de l’Âme, the band’s third full-length and next step in the meandering evolution of their ethereal/shoegaze/post-black metal.
The show was sold out, and Fred Pessaro (BBG) from Brooklyn Vegan deejayed a set of thrash, punk, death, grind, hardcore, and black metal to get things going. I’m pretty sure it was the only time I’ve heard Inquisition’s “Command of the Dark Crown” played as part of a DJ set. That’s awesome.
Vaura was new to me, but I was pretty impressed. The band features members of Gorguts, Kayo Dot, and Dysrhythmia. Their sound is a mix of black metal guitars, shoegaze sensibilities, and psychedelic prog rock, and it’s done well. The singer has a deep, sort of brooding voice that is vaguely reminiscent of Opeth’s Mikael Åkerfeldt, and he also breathily reaches into the upper registers. They’re worth checking out, and have a song available as a free download on their Bandcamp. Their performance suffered a bit from sound issues—really heavy bass—but I think a lot of people left with a mental note to Google “opening band Alcest Public Assembly.”
Deafheaven were next and absolutely killed it. The frontman was goddamn electrifying. He furiously belted out his lyrics, taking breaks to cover his face with his forearm in pained exasperation, and frequently stood on top of a couple of gear cases he had stacked up to dangle the mic stand above the crowd. The crowd reacted enthusiastically and began to mosh (see pics below)- something that didn’t happen for any other band that night. They played most of their debut EP Roads to Judah, and were flawless in execution. Deafheaven is a must see band.
And then, Alcest. Alcest took the stage to a very warm welcome from the crowd, and the band replied with smiles. They were clearly comfortable up there, with frontman Neige softly thanking the crowd after the first song of the set, “Autre Temps”, the opener to Les Voyages de l’Âmeand chatting a bit between later songs. They sounded great, playing selections from each of their full lengths, including “Là où Naissent les Couleurs Nouvelles,” “Printemps Émeraude,” and “Écailles de Lune – Part 1,” before closing the set with the upbeat and heavier-than-most-Alcest “Percées de Lumière.”
Metal bands should look like metal bands.
Yeah, totally. Because it’s what they look like which matters. Since this is music. Why would the music actually matter? Conservative twat.
This isn’t music, this is metal.
So what are you suggesting? People who want to play heavy music need to conform to some conservative ideology regarding appearance and play dress-up like everybody else? Sounds edgy, bro.
Personally I have much more respect for musicians who are more concerned with their sound than their appearance.
They do look like metal bands.
Narrow minded fans don’t care about art or individuality and therefore have no business commenting on Metal.
Fashion victim.
‘This isn’t music, this is metal.’
The fact that in the year 2012 there are STILL people that think like this blows my mind. Right there is how far our brains have evolved. Yikes.
And apparently Aaron doesn’t have a sense of humor.
Someone woke up sitting on their spiked gauntlet this morning.
Every band should look like Manowar. Discussion over.
Like really gay rednecks who play novelty music?!?!
What’s the shiny black object stuck to that girl’s boob? Sorry, I didn’t notice what the bands look like.
Dude she looks distraught.
::looks at the guy behind her::
That explains it.
Dude has a total date rape face on.
looks like the vans warped tour haha
Cellphone. Girls have an extra pocket all the time. It’s called their tits
Ahhh. I should start doing that with my fitted briefs.
who was looking at the girl? I was too busy man-crushing over george clarke
Now I know who’s boob that was that called me last night…
Deafheaven get a thumbs up for rocking a sweet vintage bass (Peavey T-40). I possess its twin. Literally one of the heaviest instruments ever built, mine’s 13 lbs.
Well if she was wearing jeggings, she won’t have any pockets to hold her cellphone.
I’m pretty sure Deafheaven are from San Francisco, not Los Angeles.
You’re right, John. My mistake.
I suggest that everyone check out Vaura! One of the best releases I’ve heard recently. Like the author mentioned, a mix of a lot of different things, but they do it in a tasteful manner that doesn’t seem like they’re carelessly throwing it all together.
Fred P.!
Thanks for this — thinking about checking them out tomorrow!
amazing read. wish I was there! and its good to see, that metal manages to piss of people as in the old days. remember when people argued whether thrash or death metal is metal, or if helmet counts as heavy….;)