| << archive |
THIS WILL DESTROY YOU KOM |
|
2010-09-22
DE – Bochum - Bhf. Langendreer |
| Over
20 years of musical (metal) entertainment in the Ruhr area, once
dwelled near by and often just being around the corner at the
Matrix club and though… I for the first time visit the cultural
center BHF
Langendreer. And I have to say… I love this club!
Built in 1908 this landmarked old station got reconstructed, renovated
and re-opened in the mid 80’s and since then offers a wide-ranging
cultural program its rooms. Great ambiance and interior that makes
you feel welcome and I’m sure to attend an evening filled
with art, culture, cinema, theater, comedy and music is a real
pleasure. :: pics ::
However, back to the music ;) Normally providing the best in Jazz, Blues and World Music the Studio 108 treated the audience to a different vision. With courtesy of THIS WILL DESTROY YOU and local support KOM we got a load of what’s commonly labeled as Post Rock.
I have to
admit I did not know about :: KOM
:: till now. I just got aware of them a couple of days
ago when I read about the Denovali Swingfest, where they are on
the billing (taking place in October) and listened to pieces of
their stuff on myspace. A KOM website is anything else
than informative. Much more it seems that they like to stay mysterious.
It took me some time and inquiries till I found out that they
are around since 2003 and that at least two of the members come
from my hometown. With two now sold out EPs (Plazaobelisk,
Ink) under their belt KOM have finally released
its debut entitled Berry White where from they played
almost all songs tonight. To put KOM into a special musical
drawer is… grinding. To cut it short I’d like to describe
them as a blend of Indie Rock with singer/songwriter qualities
and a touch of Shoegaze ;) Quietly-reflecting, fragile, dreamy
but never kitschy, and despite of various sound effects still
sort of minimalist. Singing occasionally was a bit out of tune
as the band was out of timing every now and then too. Besides,
the singer (a blue smurf ;)) reminded me a bit of Frederyk Rotter
(Zatorkrev), while the track Teer had strong leanings towards
Scarborough Fair… Probably not their best gig but great
music and a likeable band!
I for sure
don’t want to belittle anything Kom had delivered this night,
but it felt like qualitative light-years ahead when Texas, San
Marcos-based masters of instrumental Post Rock ::
THIS
WILL DESTROY YOU :: got into their set. I crossed
their way back in 2006 when they had released their debut EP Young
Mountain but never caught them live so far. So another
“first time” experience ;) Listening to THIS WILL
DESTROY YOU means to face growing dense and massive walls
of guitars and cymbals wrapped into an Ambient atmosphere. Disturbing.
The crowd is thrilled and follows the much gruffer approach with
closed eyes. Sound was ambivalent. Not that surprising, a lot
of time was spent on knees by Chris and Jeremy pressing pedals
and fiddling with knobs to create a large array of sound effects
and tuning instruments. Probably much interesting for up-and-coming
guitarists, visually not really something to stimulate the crowd.
4 stringer Donovan additionally played the Rhodes its distinctive
sound immediately arouses association with Bohren. Just great
and absolutely mesmerizing. Too bad that the announced new record
Tunnel Blanket was pushed back to an early 2011
release by now but new songs got played and to bridge time till
then a 2-track EP was released. |
| story & pics © Dajana |
