Events Search – Early Warnings (Music)
Cannibal Corpse, Napalm Death, Immolation
Tue., May 28, 7 p.m.Rock, Pop, Etc
Yonkers, New York, might not seem like a natural hotbed for death metal, but it’s produced at least one great band. Immolation came together in Yonkers in the late 80s, and right out of the gate guitarist Robert Vigna was writing punishing, demanding music—their first album, 1991’s Dawn of Possession, is often considered one of the foundational documents of technical death metal. Their ninth and latest, Kingdom of Conspiracy (Nuclear Blast), is like a knockout punch or a killing blow, finishing the job started by its two predecessors, Shadow in the Light and Majesty in Decay. Immolation have perfected their balance of brutality and sophistication—though their relentlessness can work against them, given that the album’s intense production sets up every element to constantly compete with all the others. But there’s no weak link—the slightly sidewise riffing sells the dystopian atmosphere at every turn. —Monica Kendrick Cannibal Corpse headlines; Napalm Death and Immolation open.
$25
312-666-6775
Kylesa, Blood Ceremony, White Hills, Lazer/Wulf
Wed., June 5, 7 p.m.Rock, Pop, Etc
Toronto four-piece Blood Ceremony often get described using the words “folk” and “doom,” usually at the same time, but the real precedents for their sound are late-60s and early-70s witch-rock bands such as Black Widow and Coven (best remembered for scoring a hit with a highly uncharacteristic version of “One Tin Soldier”). Puffs of Steeleye Span, Deep Purple, Uriah Heep, and Led Zeppelin (at their feyest) go wafting by too, but the dominant influence becomes crystal clear when front woman Alia O’Brien whips out her flute and wields it like she’s trying to flay someone from head to toe with the power of her breath. Yes, Blood Ceremony go full Jethro, right down to the Tull’s Morris-dance archaisms and neopagan grandeur. Their third album, The Eldritch Darkness (Metal Blade), is solidly unmundane from start to finish, with wailing soloing, Hammer horror organ, and crunching riffs; it includes a very earnest-sounding hymn to “Lord Summerisle” and the very Fairport-sounding “Ballad of the Weird Sisters.” If you’ve ever put mugwort or wormwood in your bong when you ran out of weed, this is totally for you. —Monica Kendrick Kylesa headlines; Blood Ceremony, White Hills, and Lazer/Wulf open.
$14
Taste of Randolph Street: Divine Fits, the Joy Formidable, Lord Huron, and others
6/14-6/16: Fri 5-10 PM, Sat-Sun 11 AM-10 PMMusic Festivals, Fairs & Festivals
Specialties from the Randolph Street food corridor along with performances from Divine Fits, the Joy Formidable, Lord Huron, Bear in Heaven, American Royalty, Matrimony, and more. $10 suggested donation
