{"id":2977,"date":"2014-03-11T13:20:08","date_gmt":"2014-03-11T20:20:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/?p=2977"},"modified":"2014-03-11T13:42:15","modified_gmt":"2014-03-11T20:42:15","slug":"russian-circles-helms-alee-ken-mode-perform-at-the-el-rey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/2014\/03\/11\/russian-circles-helms-alee-ken-mode-perform-at-the-el-rey\/","title":{"rendered":"Russian Circles, Helms Alee & KEN Mode Perform At The El Rey"},"content":{"rendered":"

Review & photos by Andrew Bansal
\n<\/strong>[Videos by Matt Nielson]\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

March 10th 2014, The El Rey Theatre, Los Angeles CA: <\/strong>Chicago-based instrumental heavy rock trio Russian Circles have been going from strength to strength in recent years, and since the last time I saw them headline the Troubadour in December 2011, they’ve traveled quite a fair distance as a band, literally and figuratively. Their latest album ‘Memorial’ has gained widespread praise and as a consequence, they’ve been getting booked on plenty of tours both as headliners and opening act. Currently, they’re approaching the end of a headline US tour with support from Helms Alee and KEN Mode, and played at a sold-out El Rey Theatre in Western Los Angeles last night.<\/p>\n

Rock\/metal shows here are few and far between, but it’s always great to visit this lovely venue and last night was no different in that regard. The place was sparsely populated when I entered it at around 7:30, and some public service announcements played just before the start of the show in an overly cheery voice made it seem like I had entered Disneyland or something. But soon after, KEN Mode<\/strong> began their 30-minute set promptly at 8, bringing their devastating musicianship onto this stage. This Canadian hardcore-influenced metal trio has been touring relentlessly since the release of their fifth album ‘Entrench’ last year and have played LA numerous occasions in recent months, but it never gets tiring to bear witness to such raw, unabated intensity that comes through the live performance of vocalist\/guitarist\/bassist Jesse Matthewson, his brother Shane on drums and Andrew LaCour on bass. Their tunes in this set ranged from fast-paced chaotic juggernauts to ultra-slow, procession-like walls of sound. They ended with the crushing ‘Never Was’ and made a strong impression on this crowd.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Interview with Jesse Matthewson coming soon<\/em><\/p>\n

Visit KEN Mode on the web:<\/strong>
\nKEN-Mode.com<\/a><\/strong>
\nKENMode.bandcamp.com<\/a><\/strong>
\nfacebook.com\/KENMode<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>
\ntwitter.com\/KENModeNoise<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Set List:<\/strong>
\n01. The Terror Pulse
\n02. Obeying the Iron Will…
\n03. No; I’m in Control
\n04. The Romanticist
\n05. Counter Culture Complex
\n06. Romeo Must Never Know
\n07. Never Was<\/p>\n

Check out a video of KEN Mode performing ‘Never Was’ at this show:<\/strong>
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