Trap Them, Victims @ Lit Lounge

Trap Them

Curran Reynolds’ Precious Metal weekly is Manhattan’s epicenter of underground metal. But it’s even better for music that ends in “-core.” The best metal is big and grand; the best “-core” is in-your-face. Lit Lounge’s basement, where Precious Metal takes place, is a narrow, dimly-lit grotto. It could be someone’s wine cellar. The performance space is the size of a living room. Sparks can fly in such an enclosure – see Landmine Marathon’s recent incendiary gig, reviewed here. Hardcore outfits and Deathwish, Inc. labelmates Trap Them and Victims, coming off triumphant sets at Maryland Deathfest, laid waste to the Lit last Monday.

Trap Them – Guignol Serene
Victims – Killing

Trap Them seemed slightly weary. They were merely ballistic instead of their typical nuclear explosion. Frontman Ryan McKenney, already wiry and intense, sported feral facial hair. He did that old Buddy Guy trick of using a long cord and running into the crowd to get into the faces of those in back. Guitarist Brian Izzi coolly deployed death ‘n’ roll, d-beat bends, and doomy sludge. The surprise star was the rhythm section. Bassist Steve Lacour stroked and strangled his strings with the fervor of back-alley sex. Jeff Lohrber bashed his kit with visible glee. He was not as technical as predecessor Mike Justian, but his rough-hewn style hit just as hard. Napalm Death’s Barney Greenway was in attendance as just another head-nodding, air-guitaring punter. Ever the professional, he gently repositioned Lacour’s mic stand when it fell askew.

Sweden’s Victims were that rare thing – a band whose every member is fun to watch. The bassist/vocalist was gruff and focused. One guitarist was shirtless, slightly nerdy, and sweatily inspirational. Every so often, he would yell, “Come on!” The other guitarist was a complete spazz, brandishing his axe in a thousand positions, threatening the safety of those nearby (and that of his guitar). The drummer was very tall and dwarfed his kit. Together, they presented total Discharge/Motörhead worship. That is usually not my thing. But the presentation was so genuine and the songs were so catchy that I gave in. Sometimes a good beat is all one needs. The band’s barreling two-steps cried out for “pickin’ up change” dances. Fortunately, no one gave in to the temptation.

Links:
Victims
Trap Them
Deathwish, Inc.