BITE ME! Explosions in the Sky Live

Explosions in the Sky
October 23, 2004
Knitting Factory, Hollywood--

Hope, love, death, sorrow, fear, rebirth and renewal…these are the themes driving the music of Explosions In The Sky, although what they ultimately hope to create is a powerful emotional experience driven by one's personal interpretation of each track. Explosions in the Sky is probably the most awe-inspiring band human ears have ever heard and I had the chance to witness the fireworks for myself at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood.

Their music soared, filled with atmospheric guitar lines, marching drums and elegiac melodies that ignite into walls of noise. The experience of seeing them live was mind blowing to say the least. Undulating and rolling drum beats and solid bass build the background for mesmerizing guitar work which all works together to astonishing effect. The build-up will either drag out to the point where it feels like the listener's heart will jump out of their chest from anticipation…or the finale breaks like a devastating tidal wave of sound. The incredible thing about their sound is that it is made by only two guitars, bass and drums - the rock basics.

The band impressively crouched, swayed, slung and pounded their instruments continuously and they didn't come up for air for the next 55 minutes. Many in the crowd clapped, some cheered, but most were a bit unsure of what would be appropriate at the time. Moving from sparse, shimmering arrangements to dense feedback-and-machine-gun-drumming riots, Explosions brought the place down majestically, even mixing in a few older tracks alongside an awe-inspiring performance of "Have You Passed Through This Night?"

Bottom line: SEE THEM LIVE! They put on the most amazing live show. They create brilliant cascading soundscapes full of hope, wonder, peace, and love. Their energizing sounds are heard best live. Really, you haven't heard anything until you've stood feet away from the speakers during a rising Explosions in the Sky crescendo. -RLo