Since a superb self-titled 2005 debut, original Napalm Death guitarist/Godflesh founder Justin K. Broadrick has been refining Jesu’s increasingly honed catalog of “shoegaze metal” (even if he chaffs at the term), dispatching heavy fuzz with a fragile inseam. Dude’s recorded some of the most gorgeously crunchy albums of any given year — including 2007′s Conqueror and the airier just-released Lifeline EP — and he’s not afraid to be GBV productive: Between splits and comps and propers albums and EPs he’s managed five releases in 2007 alone.
All this to explain why Jesu’s less-than-excellent set at Gramercy was more than a bit confusing (especially because they killed at SXSW, etc.). Replacing his trusted drum machine with Black Noise Cannon’s Phil Petrocelli sounds great on paper … but, well, not so much on Saturday night’s stage. Actually, the drums started blending in more nicely a few songs into the set, but once those levels (and Petrocelli’s timing) were repaired, the vocals lost their bottom: Conqueror standout “Old Year” sounded nearly perfect until Broadrick started sighing a bit too thinly. He has the laptop and bassist churning-out layers beyond his own voice and guitar, but the overall mix often sounded too tiny. Between tracks someone yelled, “It’s too fucking quiet.” Agreed: As a friend pointed out, you could talk to your neighbor without raising your voice. Love the direction Jesu’s going on record — subtler and subtler gradations — but live it needed more torque (or, well, the dynamics of Torche).
Can’t blame the acoustics on the venue — before Jesu took the stage, Miami stoner quartet Torche absolutely slayed amid a rainbow of lights, Earth-sized heaves, crazy-ass drum signatures, and extended/indulgent breakdowns. It was pure doom-y eardrum (smashing) candy. But when Ozzy-enunciating vocalist Steve Brooks yowled “War is beautiful” during a blistering “Charge Of The Brown Recluse,” the sludge grew poignant in a way you rarely experience at levels of bonged Sleepiness. In fact, the guys were so much fun, we forgot to take pics. So, if you will, close your eyes — like Torche did for most of their set — and imagine it all instead. Sweet.
A little more Jesu after the jump.
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Glad to hear you liked Torche. I love those guys.
I saw Jesu open for ISIS earlier this year, and found myself a bit letdown as well.
I saw the show on Wednesday in DC. I came to see Jesu but Torche was so fucking amazing that I didn’t really care about Jesu’s set. ‘Lifeline’ is a beautiful record though.
I saw the show on Wednesday in DC. I came to see Jesu but Torche was so fucking amazing that I didn’t really care about Jesu’s set. ‘Lifeline’ is a beautiful record though.
I just saw Jesu in Atlanta, and they KILLED! So sad to hear that their other sets have been disappointing. In fact, this last show was one of the best I’ve seen all year.
In order for Jesu’s set to be a more interesting live experience Broadrick may have to add some additional instrumentation and get rid of that pervasive, soul-sucking click track. Otherwise, it’s music that is only really enjoyable in headphones or cranked up in the comfort of one’s home.
Torche was, as usual, the main reason for showing up. Their live performance, even with mistakes, is fun, heavy and satisfying. Their complete lack of rock-star pretense is utterly refreshing.
And I’m always amazed when a venue with a fancy audio system sounds as bad as it did through most of the show at Gramercy the other night. I don’t understand it. Are the engineers deaf? Did they even bother to check the sound on the floor? When you pay $18 to see bands you like, it had better sound amazing. Frustrating.
Danny Walker is not playing drums on this tour. The drummer is Phil Petrocelli. A little fact checking would be nice.
original Napalm Death drummer??? WRONG!
JKB played drums in Head of David, but guitar in Napalm Death.
@ Alf — you’re totally right. Danny last time, Phil this time. Need better glasses. In retrospect, he doesn’t even play like Danny. Fixed.
@ Facts-R-Fun — yeah, we knew that … A CMJ-related fried-brain typo. Also corrected.
Well, glad folks dig Torche!
Agreed on most all points… though I thought the mix was lacking during Torche as well. No drums at all in the mix and less than enough vocals for most of it.
Torche on Stereogum = me happy.
There’s a 95 decibel sound limit at the mix position in that theater which means that huge PA rig does nothing but sit there and look pretty….
saw this show in a small VFW hall in poughkeepsie. best show i’ve ever seen. both torche and jesu were perfect/