The finer
points of industrial post-punk metal can be difficult to discern at a
triple-digit decibel level. But if the sonic crunch of Shotgun Messiah's
performance on Monday at the Troubadour overwhelmed some of the minor
details, the band at least demonstrated enough musical power to make things
work as whole.
So what if Tim Skold's lyrics of urban despair were a blurred roar, more
adrenaline than message? Or that the complex special effects of the Swedish-American
quintet's current 'Violent New Breed' album rarely emerged? There was
always the melodic hard-rock riffing of lead guitarist Harry Cody to keep
the music in focus.
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That sound was best demonstrated under an endless hail of strobe lights
and flying blond hair during the song "Revolution", mixing hard-rock
clarity with industrial-strength aggression. It represents only the latest
stage of a band that has gone through several phases and personnel changes
since releasing its first album as a glam-metal act in 1989.
At the Troubadour, a sameness hurt a few of the more dissonant numbers.
But bandleaders Cody and Skold never allowed the energy level to fade
during the hourlong set, choosing instead to assert themselves in a style
and volume that fit them well.
Steve Appleford
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