MUSIC IN MANCHESTER

Despite not having played on these shores for a few years now, and with only their second LP "The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place" recently out in that time frame, this 4 piece from Austin, Texas have managed to sell out venues on this seemingly low profile tour.

When one realises that their first LP was only available in the UK on import only, the mystery deepens. When one realises it was released the day after 9/11, them maybe it's a bit more understandable

The -no doubt to be much repeated including here - story of how they came to be signed involved the guys in The American Analog Set sending in a cassette with a note attached that read: "THIS TOTALLY F**KING DESTROYS!"

So what is it about this group that provokes such an unspoken devotion?  The lass next to myself heard extracts from their debut LP on the John Peel show, duly had it imported and loves them.

So has John Peel once again opened a few musical doors? Well the door tonight to the Night & Day is closed, saying "SOLD OUT"

Stories of epic prog rock virtuosity abound, but lacking a vocalist / front man, pre-gig reservations exist with this reviewer about they will maintain a viewers, as opposed to listeners - attention.

Explosion have had a "weird day" today, and it isn't about to let up; with 3 guitarists on the stage you might think that would be enough, but within the opening 5 notes of the show, one guitar lead packs in and the band crouch down to talk to the punters as the roadie locates a replacement

With service restored, the delicacy of the opening number emerges out from the speakers and an hour long guitar frenzy has commenced. Subtlety eventually gives way to an all out savage attack of string ripping vehemence as these instruments are flung about, intensity etched on the faces of Michael James, (bass), Munaf Rayani, (guitar), and Mark Smith, (guitar). Drummer Chris Hrasky is almost hidden from view behind the trio.

More thematic than political they take inspiration from worldly occurrences and translate them into cinematic soundscapes, so events such as the sinking of the Russian submarine the "Kursk" results in "Six Days at the bottom of the Ocean".

Grinding rock riffs are intermingled with searing sounds that should possess a health warning for your hearing. It's probable that the venue is packed out because it's the only time that anyone will get to hear how the music was designed to be heard - loud, very loud

Songs are not introduced, merging into one another yet eliciting cheers of welcome from a mixed crowd that are enjoying what they have paid to listen to

The prog rock it's cool to like, certainly with this crowd.

There, and I never even mentioned Mogwai

http://www.explosionsinthesky.com/

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