Tokyo’s kings and queen of heavier than heavy rock, Boris, paid a visit to Seattle’s Crocodile Cafe last week and they most definitely left a mark. The three musicians (Takeshi on bass, rhythm guitar and vocals, Atsuo on drums and vocals, and the inimitable Wata on lead guitar and vocals) drew a sold-out crowd to the Belltown rock club. Boris has a loyal and devoted following in the Pacific Northwest, which they built over many years of touring and with a legacy of memorable and intense shows.
Of special note to Boris aficionados this time around was a top to bottom performance of their 2005 release ‘Pink’. The album is widely considered a metal/noise classic and it’s the Boris album with which I’m most well acquainted. I love loud, feedback heavy music but I tend to drift a bit if there’s not a modicum of structure for all those waves of sound to hang upon. ‘Pink’ hits the sweet spot for me with its hints of melody amidst the din. The material was, if anything, even more compelling in a live setting. The colorfully attired band members delivered their trademark punishing (in a good way) sound wreathed in stage fog, wasting little time talking or fussing between songs. The impression was of one focused and very cogent block of music rather than a series of individual numbers. It was readily apparent that the audience was well versed in the band’s catalog and well aware of their legacy. The Croc was as full as I’ve ever seen it and the crowd was attentive and appreciative.
