“Human Pain Threshold”, Destruction Unit @Galeria Zé Dos Bois, Lisbon (POR) – 31/10 Live Report
For those who have read my previous articles, you know I
don’t like to use other bands to compare to the ones I’m writing about. For
those who are reading an article of mine for the first time, I don’t usually do
this. However, this time round, I’ll make an exception.
don’t like to use other bands to compare to the ones I’m writing about. For
those who are reading an article of mine for the first time, I don’t usually do
this. However, this time round, I’ll make an exception.
Have you ever thought what a mix of Hawkwind, Comets On Fire
and Gallon Drunk would sound like? If you did, look no further.
and Gallon Drunk would sound like? If you did, look no further.
Behold Destruction Unit!
These five Americans from Arizona are not afraid to play
loud and they present us with a surprising new route to ear bleeding volume.
Also, they don’t just assault you with sound. Their delivery to what they do is
physical, exhilarating and violent. They hurtle themselves into what they are
doing like possessed people during an exorcism.
loud and they present us with a surprising new route to ear bleeding volume.
Also, they don’t just assault you with sound. Their delivery to what they do is
physical, exhilarating and violent. They hurtle themselves into what they are
doing like possessed people during an exorcism.
Touring Deep Trip (the band’s latest record on Sacred
Bones), I was told Destruction Unit didn’t soundcheck for the gig. If it was
for this gig only, I don’t know. Their only specification was ‘we play at 110
decibels’ which is the human pain threshold and also 20 decibels less than an
airplane taking off (at 100 metres). The truth is that, unkowningly, we were
ready for take off.
Bones), I was told Destruction Unit didn’t soundcheck for the gig. If it was
for this gig only, I don’t know. Their only specification was ‘we play at 110
decibels’ which is the human pain threshold and also 20 decibels less than an
airplane taking off (at 100 metres). The truth is that, unkowningly, we were
ready for take off.
The guitars flow wild and abused, the drums are quick, fast
and furious and the vocals are thrown into the microphone like a crazed
Southern preacher that emerged from a desert soulsearching journey seeking
redemption would do telling tales of repent and doomsday. The key element that
makes this work is the bass that (alongside the drums) keeps providing a safe
though shaky ground to the surrounding tight hurricane like chaos that pour
unto us people in the audience.
and furious and the vocals are thrown into the microphone like a crazed
Southern preacher that emerged from a desert soulsearching journey seeking
redemption would do telling tales of repent and doomsday. The key element that
makes this work is the bass that (alongside the drums) keeps providing a safe
though shaky ground to the surrounding tight hurricane like chaos that pour
unto us people in the audience.
Elements of Hawkwind permeate their sound through three
guitars that generate a whooshiness to the songs and if you like the more
direct approach of Comets On Fire’s first record, then this is your cup of tea
(quite possibly spiced by some nefarious drug). Another element that makes
Destruction Unit stand apart is a singer/guitarrist that recycles Gallon
Drunk’s sleazed up decadent ways and abandon where, at least, a redemption of
sorts was tried (and possibly failed).
guitars that generate a whooshiness to the songs and if you like the more
direct approach of Comets On Fire’s first record, then this is your cup of tea
(quite possibly spiced by some nefarious drug). Another element that makes
Destruction Unit stand apart is a singer/guitarrist that recycles Gallon
Drunk’s sleazed up decadent ways and abandon where, at least, a redemption of
sorts was tried (and possibly failed).
Such intensity has a downside unfortunately. The set was
just about 25 minutes long and, depending who you’re dealing with, everybody
was so psyched by the show that we needed more to release our own built up
energy. The feel in the room was so tense you could almost grab it. Everybody
just needed more. One more outburst of exploding energy to beat us into the
ground. I felt like I was flying so high that I wanted an extra engine to
propel me even higher and not to have my engine fail on me, bringing me back to
the ground.
just about 25 minutes long and, depending who you’re dealing with, everybody
was so psyched by the show that we needed more to release our own built up
energy. The feel in the room was so tense you could almost grab it. Everybody
just needed more. One more outburst of exploding energy to beat us into the
ground. I felt like I was flying so high that I wanted an extra engine to
propel me even higher and not to have my engine fail on me, bringing me back to
the ground.
(That’s why I needed to go out after the show and get wasted
at an already mythical event is Lisbon called Salón Fuzz)
at an already mythical event is Lisbon called Salón Fuzz)
The Destruction Unit came with intent to destroy but this
building they imploded required a heavier dose of dynamite to crumble and,
after the show, this building was still standing. WE were still standing.
Ruined, wrecked and damaged. But standing. Next time around though, I’ll be
there for another wrecking because they were just so good…
building they imploded required a heavier dose of dynamite to crumble and,
after the show, this building was still standing. WE were still standing.
Ruined, wrecked and damaged. But standing. Next time around though, I’ll be
there for another wrecking because they were just so good…
Report made by Carlos Ferreira/2013
© Copyright http://psychedelicbaby.blogspot.com/2013
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