Last Night “This is Gonna Be So Fucking Heavy When it Comes Back In” (That’s What She Said)
posted by on October 26 at 11:12 AM
Last night’s Mono show was unlike any live performance I’ve ever seen before.
They were unreal, ethereal, completely mind-blowing. They were every adjective ever used on allmusic.com. They were so otherworldly that I could’ve been impaled by a fucking unicorn mid-set and it wouldn’t have felt unbelievable.
With over 20 different kinds of pedals on-stage, the band took on every song with a remarkable amount of precision and care. There was an improvisational feel to them, especially during the flooring climaxes that relied heavily on distortion and feeback, but the musicians also carefully crafted each note, clearly intending for every second to be exactly what it was.
At times the sound was hushed, delicate and beautiful and so quiet that anyone talking in the back near the bar overpowered it. But the guy next to me was right when he said “This is gonna be so fucking heavy with it comes back in”—the songs would build then explode at maximum speed, creating an unfuckwitable three-guitar wall of sound.
Guys in the audience screamed for more like they were near orgasm (“Oh fuck, don’t stop!”), the lesbians next to me kept making out, and I wanted to go deaf afterwards because I wanted that set to be the last thing I ever heard for the rest of my life.
It was more than incredible; the word it was hasn’t been invented yet.
But I could still hear everything perfectly while I waited for my bus in front of Hula Hula on karaoke night, capping off my evening by listening to a presumably drunk woman belt out “Life is a Cabaret.”
Life is a Cabaret, old chum
Only a Cabaret, old chum
And I love a Cabaret!
Ah, curse my tired, lazy ass! Wish I could have seen this (although I did at least get to see some choice moments in the Sox/Rockies game, including the final out - woot!). Did you not stick around for High on Fire? I would think they would be pretty fun live, although from your description I can imagine wanting to go home with Mono buzzing in my brain.
i'm glad you got to have your first mono experience. that band does something magical on-stage.
also, be glad you left early. the show took a turn for the worse when high on fire came on. talented guys and all, but i prefer my metal to be a bit more arty and pretentious i guess.
I was actually kind of disappointed by mono. Their wall of noise was impressive for sure, but their formula was kind of boring: play haunting melody 50 times, play haunting melody 150 times with distortion and delay pedals on. I didn't dislike them, but I would rather have heard Sigur Rus or Isis or Pelican do it.
Due to the Stranger Suggests, I'm assuming, a ton of people left before High on Fire, who kicked a large amount of ass! My friend and I were arguing about whether or not it's butt rock (I was arguing the affirmative), but we both agreed that it was fucking awesome.
I'd agree that on record Mono's "thing" can get old kinda fast. But live, it's an engrossing experience. I liken it to the difference between watching a drag race on TV and actually being at a drag race and having the nitro fumes burn your eyes and the engines rattle your ribcage.
Mono really stole the show last night. AND they were LOUDER than High on Fire.
I've seen both High on Fire and Mono a few times each, and I can say without question that Mono blew HoF off the stage Thursday night. And this is coming from a guy who would never, ever, EVER say a bad word about Matt Pike. EVER. But Mono just brought it extra hard.
Anyone get there early enough for Coliseum? God damn, I love that band. No hipster bullshit, just no-frills, balls-to-the-wall rock and roll. Their drummer was fucking FEROCIOUS, too!
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