[107] Lord Dying, Thrones, Witch Mountain (2011)

This show took place late on a Monday in the relatively small East End, so I was a little surprised to see so many paying customers. It was crowded enough to be a little uncomfortable and difficult to get around even from the first band, making me think that if the show took place later in the week at a larger venue it would have done even better.

Lord Dying seems to be doing a lot of good social work for themselves as each show I've seen them do since the first two they've had an excellent crowd and reaction. This was no exception. A few different people yelled about how they were great after the first song - always a good sign for a new band. Having seen them plenty of times in recent history and with all their live songs familiar to me now, I ended up mentally wandering all over the fucking place. At one point I was thinking about how the band seemed like the premise for a comic book with their wildly different appearances and ways of approaching what they do.

Thrones seemed to be having a good night. He didn't play "Ephraim" which left time for three or four other songs, most I either haven't heard or haven't heard live in a while, closing with those I do know well - "Trmph Life" and "Wage War". Between songs he took time to talk to the crowd and sell merch for Lord Dying which resulted in a joke about selling off Witch Mountain as a band since they didn't have merch. I think the total got to $1.25, but someone offered $5 Canadian.

Witch Mountain set up as they usually do, with their singer standing some feet in front of the drums, guitarist on stage right, bassist on stage left. I hadn't noticed this before but they were situated in a near-perfect square from each other, visually enhanced by the way the room is built and their opposing twin physical statures.

They played: a new song entitled "Crown of Hair", "Plastic Cage", "Iron Lung II", "Wing of the Lord", "End Game", and "Veil of the Forgotten". When they got to "Plastic Cage" it felt like it was slowed down and given a shitload more bass... but I was nearest the bass, so who's to say what was loudest on the other side of the room at that time. When I later got up and moved to the side of the way the bass speakers were facing, the bass significantly lessened and mostly I heard drums and vocals. Apparently Nate plays quieter on album/song than he does live.

The sound of the room, despite where I stood or which band, was good and clear. None of the three had bad, ineffective, washed out, or spotty sound. Vocals were lacking for Lord Dying but they usually are - I could hear them but not totally, making me think they were louder a few feet away. I was behind Erik so it stands to reason...

As I said, the crowd was good if not excellent for the room. The proper crowd in front of the "stage" was always attentive. However, during Witch Mountain there was a group of folks off to the side that I am probably accurately thinking of as "hipster fuckheads" being exactly that. For Lord Dying I was standing next to a girl who apparently really likes music and really doesn't care if one Hipster Fuckhead is laughing at her. I noted her in my phone as "dancing queen" because she looked like she belonged in the 70s. She was joined by another later in the night, and together they also made for some snickering on my part.

At one point in the night "Nod Scene" or "Ozium" was playing over the P.A. and I was gifted with one of those special show moments - Joe turned to ask what the hell he was hearing. I don't know why that's funny but it fucking is.

Getting to this show was a piece of cake; I had the most stress-free ride I've had in a really, really long time. With the bit of socializing I did beforehand and this show going off without a hitch, it was a great night.

Witch Mountain finally releases their latest album South of Salem April 9th. You should fucking get it. You should also go to the release show the same day. It also has Wizard Rifle, Nether Regions, and Rabbits. Yes, yes, and bring your damn earplugs, grandma. I can't wait.