AT THE DRIVE-IN + MURDER CITY DEVILS

The Bowery Ballroom
New York, NY
10.28.00

Costumed fun-seekers roam the streets as Seattle's Murder City Devils envelop the 'Ballroom in a macabre rock spectacle fitting for Halloween. Skull candles pierce the shroud of fog around bewitching organ player Leslie Hardy while Spencer Moody's raw howl competes with the abrasive din. The band rarely stops to breathe, exploding with Stooges-inspired noise and a drum kit ablaze.

With two bands known for their live potency on the bill tonight, the rock quotient is high. The contrast of the 'Devils' ghastly tales told through drunken rage compliments At The Drive-In's incendiary, imaginative expression, as both bands evoke vivid imagery through their red-eyed racket.

Blending the emotional execution of hardcore with the afros and rawk power of MC5, ATDI have risen to become one of today's most important bands. The quintet vigorously bash out songs from their recent 'Relationship of Command,' alongside other, older favorites such as "Rascuache" from the 'Vaya' EP. Frontman Cedric's passionate, physical interpretation of each song finds him wrapped up in the mic cord and leaping off the drums.

Amid the chaos, ATDI balance their adrenaline with brooding, textural interludes, but the group's ferocity never wavers throughout their set. The band members' spasmodic yet fluid movements keep the show fast-paced and demonstrate why ATDI continues to sell out shows wherever they go.

- Hal Miller

This review was originally featured on www.metal-is.com.