BAEBLE CONCERTS: Trail of Dead at Music Hall of Williamsburg

Poking around sound check at the Music Hall of Williamsburg, it's clear we've gotten ourselves into a colossal kind of production. Two full drum sets face off on stage, racks upon racks of guitars flank the performance space, and the amps...my god the amps!

Of course, none of this comes as too much of a surprise. We went to Brooklyn to film Austin's ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead; a broiling, 6-piece progressive monster of an outfit. Recently, the band released The Century of Self on their own independent Richter Scale imprint. Rich, sophisticated, complex, yet ultimately articulate; Century of Self is deep in scope, straining themes of mythology, mysticism, and nature through its' collection of anthemic, hard rock.

Hence the dramatic undertaking in bringing these epic songs to life in the live setting. And thank god for it... The band's unwavering commitment to doing The Century of Self justice translated into a kinetic kind of performance; one that sent an undeniable synergy buzzing 'bout the building the moment the band walked on stage. With fists in the air, sporadic mosh pit eruptions, and even a bit of crowd surfing (by audience and band members alike), the crowd was not always the safest place to be. But damn! was it good time. - David Pitz