Tonight’s show should come with a health warning. Both of the acts have reputations for being punishingly loud, and the Brudenell Social Club has the equipment and the know-how to maintain impeccable sound at almost intolerable volumes. If nothing else, no one is going to walk out after tonight’s show and forget what they experienced, as the tinnitus will serve as an indefinite reminder of what was witnessed.
First up are Japanese art-rock trio Boris, and they waste absolutely no time cranking their amps way past 11 to create a bulldozer of noise to flatten the crowd. Boris’ main party trick is the hanging of notes, creating suspense as to when the next wave is coming. Whilst this is an interesting and severe experience, it does wear a little thin after a while, so the weirder, artier moments are welcomed to break up the set. These are mostly carried out by drummer and vocalist Atsuo, who utilises several unusual percussive tools to create atmosphere. Most notable of these is the enormous gong behind the drum kit, which has become a key part of Boris’ unique, if not slightly silly aesthetic.
Despite all this, there simply isn’t enough variety in Boris’ set to keep things interesting for almost an hour and a half. An early appearance from ‘Absolutego’ showcases their ability to create some quality Sabbath-worship, and even one more normally-structured song like this in the set would have just taken the edge off the relentless drone of their other material. That said, this kind of music isn’t really made to be enjoyed with the edge taken off, and Boris more than likely couldn’t give a fuck if you can’t handle them. They’re too busy having the time of their lives dressing up in capes, playing loud enough to make you soil yourself, and making people leave their shows with the innate desire to buy an enormous gong.
That’s the last attempt at humour in this review because there is absolutely NOTHING funny about Belgian post-metal giants Amenra. The opening chimes of ‘Boden’ ring hauntingly as the guitars slowly build to a crescendo, and when it kicks in…it’s difficult to find the words to describe what it feels like. Some bands are really heavy, some bands are really loud, but Amenra are both of these things to the point where they are simply overwhelming. Not many bands can cause a person to have to physically plant their feet to steady themselves, but Amenra can do it without even breaking a sweat. What makes them truly special is their ability to play at this organ-shifting level of intensity whilst maintaining a sonic clarity that allows every sinister note and nuance to break through the ear-splitting volume.
Amenra don’t utter a single word to their audience as they punish them with their unyielding juggernaut of a set. Every single song sounds monolithic, with vocalist Colin H. Van Eeckhout’s haunting shriek sitting perfectly in the mix to create a ruthless sound that is as epic and hypnotic as it is harrowing and bleak. There are countless moments that make people in the crowd go slack-jawed, none more so than when set closer ‘Diaken’ takes a split-second breath before bassist Levy Seynave ushers in a crushing riff with an otherworldly roar.
Tonight may have been billed as a clash of titans, but there was really no competition. Amenra have no problem holding their own amongst their peers on record, but live they are unparalleled. Powerfully potent and vehemently honest in every aspect of their arrangement. It’s no wonder that their collaborative collective is called the Church Of Ra, as this is a group of musicians worthy of an altar.
LIAM KNOWLES