Tag: Converge
Converge fans, meet Kurt Ballou's guitar
Words and Photos by Andrew Parks
Whether you’re into metal or not, you need to see Converge at least once. Aside from being one of America’s last remaining hardcore bands, they are easily one of the most intense live experiences you’ll ever endure—a blinding battering ram of a rock show that’ll probably result in a bruise or two. But hey, you’ll feel like a better person in the end. And if you’re like us, you’ll have the pictures to prove it.
The following is an interview I conducted with Converge’s guitarist/widely respected producer (Kurt Ballou) last fall. We saved it for their next headlining tour, which happens to touch down at New York’s Santos Party House tonight. That show is sold out, but you can find other dates on the group’s month-long North American trek here.
As for what’s discussed herein, expect: Ballou’s new Black Flag-meets-Birthday Party project, the band’s guest-dotted Axe To Fall album (current and former members of Neurosis, Disfear, Cave-In, Hatebreed, Genghis Tron, Undertow…), why he doesn’t listen to too much metal anymore, and much, much more.
Words and Photos by Andrew Parks
The Artist: One of the most genuinely intense—and absolutely essential—live acts of our time. The band’s new record is also the best metal album of the year, hands down.
Their Latest Release: Axe to Fall (Epitaph/Deathwish)
Who They Opened For: Mastodon and the stars of Metalocalypse @ Hammerstein Ballroom, 10.29.09
Why the Bill Should Have Been the Other Way Around:
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The Strokes
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[Amazing Baby photo by Aaron Richter]
There’s quite a bit to sift through this week, so let’s get right to it, shall we?
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Words and Photos by Andrew Parks
Look, I’m not gonna lie. The angry 16-year-old in me—the ex-hardcore kid that grew up in Buffalo, thought being straight-edge at 16 was an actual achievement, and really liked Snapcase for a couple years—was ecstatic about seeing Converge play a relatively intimate show in Brooklyn on Friday night. As you might imagine, I don’t rush too many stages while dodging unforgiving elbows these days. Yet that impulse hit me the second guitarist/in-demand producer Kurt Ballou hit the stage solo, sparking a tension-ratcheting rendition of “Plagues.” Luckily, no one cleaned my clock—or my camera—on the way to the front as the rest of the band joined the fray.
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“Plagues”
Jacob Bannon of CONVERGE raises his hands because he's sure like that.
So we were already balls-to-the-wall thrilled about the Converge/Genghis Tron/Coliseum bill in Brooklyn this Friday, and then we discovered this video …
Words and Color Photos by Aaron Richter / B&W Photos by Austin L. Ray
There was a moment this past Saturday in Atlanta, as I emerged from the crowd at the Scion Rock Fest, when I exhaustingly checked the time and realized there was still seven hours of metal to be had, seven more hours of deepening quick-mud, seven more hours of beard-watching, seven more hours of stage-hopping, seven more hours of my face, ears and brain being destroyed. And I got excited.
I’d entered the festival with reservations. Could they really pull it off? Would everyone really behave? Who would be left standing outside the gates once The Masquerade reached its capacity? Despite threats of rain, a steady flux of 4,000 fans filled the festival grounds (capacity 4,700), spread across four stages, one tent-covered outdoor behemoth and three of varying size inside the dilapidated Masquerade. Highlights included co-headliners Mastodon and Neurosis as well as Baroness, Wolves in the Throne Room, Boris and an unreal set by a fully corpsepainted 1349. Jumping from stage to stage, I caught 13 bands in less than 10 hours—eat that, Coachella!
Music aside, kudos to everyone involved for putting together one of the most chill, contained and well-organized music festivals I’ve ever attended. You proved that a massive rock event can occur (largely free of incident) without resorting to police-state tactics. The general pleasantness and courtesy of the fans was remarkable, not to mention an event staff that proved it could think for itself, assess situations, problem solve and alter protocol on the fly. But enough pussy gushing. Without further ado, here are the Scion Rock Fest Superlatives.
