The Crescent Ballroom – Phoenix, AZ March 12th 2014
I waited quite longer than I intended to for my first Russian Circles concert. Circumstances, for one reason or another, had prevented me from attending past shows. It took me a while, but it was most certainly worth the wait. Not only did it meet my idea of how good it would be, it surpassed it in every way imaginable. It was one of the very best concerts that I have ever had the chance to witness.
As the anticipation for Russian Circles began building throughout the evening, I didn’t actually know what I was in for. I have heard countless great things about their live show, but until you actually see and hear it yourself in a room with the band, it can be difficult to grasp the full impact it will have on you. It has been awhile since the show and it is still replaying in my mind over and over again. While I wish every show I went to impacted me in this way, it doesn’t reach this level of resonance often.
The show was held at The Crescent Ballroom here in Phoenix. It is a somewhat narrow room, but still retains incredible warmth. As the time came for Russian Circles to play, the lights were dimmed and some ambient and drone noises began to bubble to the surface followed by very delicate and impressive cymbal work from drummer Dave Turncrantz. As the sounds of the cymbals began to fade into the unmistakable intro for “309” and the first strike of the snare drum was hit, I could tell that this would be no ordinary concert.
As Russian Circles began to move through the material, what became overwhelmingly apparent to me was the way that they are able to completely recreate every nuance and texture from the albums and translate that into the live setting. All of the sounds you hear on the albums are present during the live performance, every bit of it and at what felt like maximum volume surrounded and enveloped me. Some highlights for myself were “Defecit” and “Carpe”. Both songs have an epic quality to them that seeing live only enhanced.
Russian Circles have a supernatural power. Something that I am not fully able to articulate and I do not think I want to ever fully understand. I love the mystical and ominous nature of their music. As the evening came to close and the sounds faded, I honestly just felt lucky to have been there. The musicianship was off the charts. The sound was impeccable. When it was all over, all I could really do is shake my head in astonishment. It was beyond belief and something I will never forget. – Paul
The El Ray Theatre – Los Angeles, CA March 10th 2014
This Russian Circles show both rocked and rolled. It was in my favorite venue in LA and it was starring one of my new favorite bands, so how could it go wrong? The moment a buddy of mine, who ended up getting sick and missing the show, told me he secured tickets it became my carrot on a string to get through the work weeks leading up to it. Each day I got closer and closer and on the day of the show I leapt forward and ate that carrot with gusto.
On my way to the show that night I stopped and got a bean and cheese burrito and quickly ate it out side of the venue with my wife (she got the sick friend’s ticket). She was running a bit late and we quickly ate the burrito because we could hear that opener Helms Alee was about to get started.
I can really only say I’ve been a passing fan of Helms Alee, but after seeing them live I’m now a standing and cheering fan of theirs. They opened the show with “Pleasure Center” from their new album Sleepwalking Sailors and after that it all became a bit of a blur of furious guitar, drums, and hair.
I was impressed with how good they sounded live and their drummer (Hozoji Matheson-Margullis)…. DAMN. She was like a female Animal from The Muppets all arms and hair flying everywhere and beating out some amazing tunes. At one point she was wailing on those drum heads so viciously I thought she was going to tear right through them. It was awesome.
After about 30 minutes Helms Alee wrapped up and I was glad they did because I needed a breather. At this point I sauntered over to the bar and ordered a PB&J which is a Pabst Blue Ribbon tall boy and a shot of Jack Daniels. Though on my way back to join the wife I realized the bartender gave me Jameson instead and I found myself in an even better mood than I was one second earlier.
Properly lubricated I was ready for Russian Circles to start and let me tell you dear reader… it was fantastic. They opened with “Memoriam” and seamlessly transitioned from one song to the next in a series of sequences that artfully blended songs together and playing for 15-20 minutes at a time. The only time they stopped was to say “Hi Los Angeles, thanks for coming” and to swap out guitars and adjust pedals for the next collage of musical awesomeness.
I think in total they stopped just 2 or 3 times before bowing out for their fake exit to return for their encore and when they returned they delivered a real treat. After rocking out for a bit they wrapped the show up with “Memorial” and Chelsea Wolf took the stage to accompany them. Now that’s how you end a show!
It was a tremendous concert and I’m so damn happy I went. If you get the chance to see Russian Circles live (or even Helms Alee for that matter) don’t miss it. Both bands put on one hell of a great show. – Josh
Urban Lounge – Salt Lake City, UT March 2nd 2014
This was my second time seeing Russian Circles live and believe me they did not disappoint. My first exposure to the bands live awesomeness was seeing them open up for Coheed & Cambria about a year ago. Russain Circles was the first of three bands that night and they set the bar insanely high, but their perfromance was short and the band only got through four songs.
I was stoked to finally get the opportunity to see them headline. This time Russian Circles were just as spectacular if not more than my fist live experience with them. The band’s tunes are amazing on record, but there’s is a brand of music that definitely needs to be experienced in person.
Russian Circles played a variety of songs from all five of their albums and were able to mix songs from different albums together really well. The thing that makes this band so special is that all three members are able to flawlessly execute their songs perfectly live. Brain Cooks’ bass tone and playing are absolutely beastly, Mike Sullivan’s guitar soars and stabs at all the right moments, and Dave Turncrantz druming give the songs so much rhythm and energy that it’s enough to give you a live aneurysm in concert excitement.
There’s nothing like watching musicians display their expert chops live and Russian Circles are easily some of the most talented dudes I have seen perform in some time. This band is an absolute must see in concert. Do not hesitate to catch one of their shows when they come to your town. – Jon
http://www.russiancirclesband.com/