On The Scene: Mao Livehouse 01-02-2013

Metal at Mao Livehouse…again. Yeah, Mao Livehouse churns out metal shows a dime a dozen, but hey, they do them well. And when they go off well, don’t fall on a Sunday, the day of regret, and your cameraman is in high spirits, it’s hard not to get caught up in the frenzy. Better still, the bands that came out to play, put on their game faces – with Dark Haze, Logic Control, Black Lake, and more all proving their worth tonight. Metal onwards!!!

I wondered in time to catch Dark Haze and their brand of no nonsense death metal – flowing hair, high frequency screeches, guitars harmonies pushed up against one another and heavy drums – the staples are all there. I shouldn’t give in to this so easily, but come on.

Look at those guitar solos – these guys are having a blast. A kinetic energy that rolls from one song into the next. They knew what had to be done and I commend them for that. Soldier on boys.

Logic Control is something special though – I caught them first at Tango where they wiped the floor clean – and they still got it. A mix of hardcore, trash metal, nu metal and good ol’ fashion guitar shredding – the genres are all there but the way it all comes together with such acute rampart, well, it almost feels smart.

These are smoothened elegant songs they’re playing up there, hearty and alluring in their approach. With a new album on the horizon, I think it’s safe to say that Logic Control will be on everyone’s radars in due time.

Now now, this might come as a surprise but I have no clue who these cats are. Stealing Logic Control’s guitarist as well as the momentous addition of a some dude getting his metal on with an electronic soundboard of sorts (really doing my research here people), these guys were pure intensity all the way though.

Love the electro guy – has more passion up there than all the guitarists combined. Elevated the music to a whole new level – one of the few times where electronic saves the day for metal again. Pat on the back good sir. But seriously, who the hell are these guys?

Last, came out Black Lake and this guy decked out in tribal tats – playing melodic black metal. He doesn’t walk around like that day in day out, does he? Gonna give the dude credit, he knows how to get the most out of his voice – emoing out at the beginning then dipping into a deep bark, then right into a scrawl of sorts – almost seamlessly.

Like I said, gotta give credit where it’s due. Other than that, and few intriguing touches here and there, including the cheesingly awesome keyboard (double-edged sword that bitch can be) they still have a ways to go before they get me back in the moshpit.

By golly, a solid night of metal mischief. Even got to toss my buddy ol’ pal into the mosh, only to have him complain about bruised ribs for the next week. Guess he won’t be coming to any metal shows any time soon. Click here for more videos from Dark Haze and Logic Control.