Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Between The Buried And Me, and me...

Tommy Rogers, vocals and keys, Between The Buried And Me
Tommy Rogers, vocals and keys, Between The Buried And Me
Imagine some sophisticated artificial-intelligence system, or maybe a team of intelligent aliens dropping by from another planet, looking at my music reviews and photo galleries, taking them as big data in an effort to solve the problem: What band is missing, which fits all this person's requirements? What band is the perfect fit for this human, based on the data, based on scientific and mathematical analysis?

First, they'd see a heavy leaning towards Prog (progressive rock), but not just any-old-Yes-and-Genesis-prog, but rather the superb and melodic Marillion, Steve Rothery Band, Steve Vai's seventh songs. Then, they'd pick up on all the metal, all the shows covered in this metal-crazy town that is Sacramento. And then, they'd appreciate the love of a good light show to complement the music. And then, only then, this superior intelligence would reason, which band does this person not yet know, but which is the perfect fit based on the data we have gathered? Is it not Between The Buried And Me?

That's what happened last night at Sacramento's Ace of Spades: I experienced Between The Buried And Me live for the very first time, and wow... it is an experience, not a concert, not a show.

Paul Waggoner, guitar, Between The Buried And Me
Paul Waggoner, guitar, Between The Buried And Me
Songs the length of which would make prog gods proud; vocals to fit the baddest of metal; a light show to shame the usual metal three-shades-of-purple. Music that you can drift away in, fight to, make the fabric of your nightmares or the threads of sweet dreams.

Dustie Waring, guitar, Between The Buried And Me
Dustie Waring, guitar, Between The Buried And Me
Yes, I enjoyed Between The Buried And Me. More than enjoyed. The music fit me, like a glove, like a forgotten friend.

Co-headlining this tour with August Burns Red (photos and review to follow), Between The Buried And Me took the stage after the two openers last night and before August Burns Red. They possessed the crowd that filled the venue, during all the quiet moments, and throughout all the angry growls. The light show is wonderful and best experienced from the back of the venue; window-like screens on the stage give a glimpse of desert, music, a fire-breathing being... searchlights beaming laser-like through vapour, illuminating the crowd. Sound level just right.

Between The Buried And Me
Between The Buried And Me, Ace of Spades, Sacramento
A light show as wonderful as this brings its own challenges; digital sensors don't see the same things as our eyes, and photos often react the opposite way to expectations when trying, for example, to adjust contrast. Some of the pictures have come out so grainy that they might be canvas; and this, my dears, is the kind of photo challenge I love most. Many more photos are in the gallery: http://www.alisontoon.com/-/galleries/music/between-the-buried-and-me

Between The Buried And Me are Tommy Rogers (vocals, keys), Dan Briggs (bass), Blake Richardson (drums), Paul Waggoner (lead guitar), and Dustie Waring (rhythm guitar). More info on their website or Facebook.

Between The Buried And Me
Between The Buried And Me, Ace of Spades, Sacramento
The tour continues: Canada and the USA, Europe. Catch them if you can.

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