Russian Circles @ The Gov, Adelaide 5/2/2024
Monday night is a tough night to venture out to see live music when the inclination is to retreat to barracks to do not a hell of a lot but I’m glad I did get off my duff to see American underground legends Russian Circles. Five years since their last visit has whizzed by and this tour was all the more sweeter touring with new album GNOSIS.
For a Monday night, it was a big crowd at The Gov who were dead keen to see this much loved band. What do you say about a band that has no vocals or lyrics to latch on to, or that witty memorable one liner or that in between song banter with the fans? Well, that connection was on a different level and their music was equally captivating as it was hypnotic. It was easy to get absorbed and lost in the music and the first time I looked at my watch it was well after ten o’clock.
The crowd was mesmerised right from the get go and you can see why this band has a loyal cult following with this brooding and intense live show.
The musicianship of Russian Circles is elite with Mike Sullivan (guitar), Dave Turncrantz (drums) and Brian Cook (bass) coming across as a masterclass to inspire up and coming musicians. The way they build this wall of sound and the technical dexterity they play with is quite incredible to watch. To say that they just play music with no words is quite disingenuous. Each song had its own intensity and energy which resonated with the fans. Opening with Station in amongst a haze of green lights was a powerful opener which continued to build until its climax.
New songs Conduit and Betrayal were packed full of big riffs and clear highlights from new album GNOSIS in their ninety minute set. The Station album is well represented with Harper Lewis, Youngblood as well as the opener. The shift in tempo and dynamics between songs is done effortlessly and seamlessly. It is incredible to experience the ground they cover in ten songs with the cinematic tones, calming melodies then scaling that up with more heavier and power music. With no encore the last moment of power was by way of Mlàdek off the Empros to bring a solid Monday night to a close.
Live Review By Rob Lyon