Igorrr Was Absolutely Epic At First Ave!
Fast-moving September on it’s final leg, there was still plenty of gas in the tank.
Plenty of badass shows this month, was of course ready for one more. Igorrr proved that was indeed correct. With gas being spendy these days, used my tried and true Light Rail to make my way downtown to First Avenue. Apparently you can apply for DOLLAR rides. Feel like a fool paying four bucks for a day pass when this is a potential. My cheap bones rattled with delight immediately once hearing that from a Metro Transit worker.
The crowd was bustling around inside the venue, and a surprising amount of folks ready to hear the opener. I always have shown up for the beginning support at a show., never know if they may become a new favorite of your’s. Well, boy howdy. Violent Magic Orchestra did just that.
Oozing with mythical mood, they took the stage in white light and exploded into their first song. Each member has a different look that they inhabit, mirroring their taken stage name (every name is based on a infamous black metal band’s written in Japanese katakana.) Wasn’t sure the audience knew what to do with them at first, a bit of shock and awe happened for the first few jams. Black latex, spiked head pieces, insane aggressive and chaotic movements that oddly matched masterfully with the music. Violent Magic Orchestra has a hardcore blend that’s exciting and feels new. Plenty of industrial sounds glitter throughout the tracks. What brings everyone in is how magnetic the lead vocalist and frontwoman Zastar is. After their set, ran in to her before their meet-and-greet at the merch table. Her intense abilities on stage contrast with how humble and sweet she is off, thanking everyone she could when speaking to them. Love when musicians hang out with their fans, and they made a new one of me.
Secret Chiefs 3 is lead by Trey Spruance, you may have heard of him via Mr. Bungle or Faith No More, which he was formerly in. Was pumped to soak in some experimental musing by the group, which is known for their expert mutation on rock jamming. Starting a few minutes early, not wanting to delay the delight any moment on stage. An amalgamation of sounds greeted us. Waves of guitar and piano flowed over the air, sometimes grooving for a while just on a vibe, but then launching into something percussive and occasionally aggressive.
This is the kind of music you need to just sop up like a passive sponge occasionally. A little over three decades of experimenting, the chemistry between these particular members is a soft steady boil (there have been a few dozen collaborators over the years in the group, happy this mix is just as successful as the others.) Catching smiles and laughs between members, everyone seemed to be sinking in to the good time. Their sound makes me want to just sit and melt into it. Will not be missing Secret Chiefs 3 anytime they are in town, and I implore you to do the same. Well, if you like music and stuff. You like music, right? Then you’re gonna have a blast and a half.
Oooo, Igorrr time was upon up. The crowd was thick and ready, all the floor a sea of black shirts and waiting gazes. Gosh, are they just fantastic on stage. One of the bands that should be on every metal fan’s playlist, Igorrr has it all. Multiple lead vocalists that destroy, guitar tone to send you to heaven and hell, lights and costumes, sweet makeup, and pure white-hot energy with every note.
Starting off their 18 song set, “Daemoni” was an excellent choice to initiate headbanging. New to the bandmember lineup since April of this year, German-Japanese vocalist Gerda Iguchi is eyewateringly talented. Her performance during “Nervous Waltz” was out of this world amazing. As I was witnessing it up close and personal, couldn’t tear my eyes from the stage. As she sings, flawlessly I must add, contorts her body and moves to each nuanced note in an otherworldly way. Her black contacts are just the tip of what transforms her into an underworldly being. Easily knocking out those operatic heights, she is a true gem and colossally talented in person. Hitting it out of the park and into the river. Wow wow wow. I hope someone got a slick cell phone vid of that performance, it was tremendous. Male vocalist JB Le Bail was equally prodigious as his female counterpart. He has a natural ability to lure you into legend with a gentle touch and siren-adjacent manner. Again, wow.
Minneapolis was given another 11/10 performance by Igorrr. Thank you, more please.
