Show Review

Ok so who, in all reality, isn't going to this show? Three incredible bands, all with really new albums... on one insane tour. I was there the second they announced they were even doing the tour, and trust me, it was an incredible show, as expected.

Coheed And Cambria took the stage, and to my suprise, were disappointing. Not that they were bad or something ridiculous like that, but it was almost like they weren't that amazing. Maybe I built up my expectations so high, but I think a lot of it was the lack of solid acoustics in the venue. They sounded weak and powerless, and didn't even play my favorite, Time Consumer; but what they did play sounded pretty solid. Their set list just didn't seem that great, though they played a few favorites from the old disc like "Devil In Jersey City," "Everything Evil," and "Junesong Provision." The new hits included of course "The Crowing," and "Velorium (Pt 3)" but just didn't seem to draw as much of an impact as the older tunes. I think they did a good job playing the songs ,but their set list didn't seem too choice and the sound quality was definitely not pristine or enough to amount to their greatness. Coheed and Cambria are an amazing band, just not at this show (maybe not on this tour?).

To be honest I felt before the show that Thrice was a band I was getting tired of. Ha. How things changed when they blasted off with "Under A Killing Moon." Once again I was re-vamped to the band's greatness, with their hugely energetic live act. They played basically all the songs I love by them, including my new personal favorite, "Paper Tigers," and of course "The Artist In The Ambulance," and "Stare At The Sun." Suprisingly, they didn't even play "All That's Left," the single and coincidentally and oddly probably the weakest track on the new record. In any case, it only helped their cause. Thrice tore the stage up and simply got me back into them, and I strongly suggest you go see this show for them.

Finally, Thursday took the stage and literally stunned me. Playing with an obvious passion and emotion, Geoff sang his heart out, even pummeling the crowd with his emotive "This Song Brought To You By A Falling Bomb" (yes, the piano ballad). He fell to his knees, screaming out the words holding the mic away, and you could feel his energy and passion right then and there. They even played one of my favorites, "Jet Black New Year," and even without their performance of my other two favorite tracks ("Standing On The Edge Of Summer" and "Asleep In The Chapel"), they blew me away with "Autobiography Of A Nation" and "Marches And Maneuvers," as well as a great mix of old and new tunes. Sounding clean, clear, and energetic, Thursday and Thrice were both on the same level of excellence, and obviously were running the show.

I know you're already going to this show, if you have a brain, so there's not much for me to say. Except that this show will meet your expectations, even if you set them really, really high. Go see three amazing bands tear it up, and slam dance the night away.

review by Andrew Martin