Progressive metal, instrumental rock, or djent, which is the given name for the subgenre of progressive metal characterised by its use of complex and heavily syncopated rhythm patterns, who knows, but Washington DC based Animals as Leaders are the leading light when it comes to this style of music.
The trio who consists of guitarists Tosin Abasi and Javier Reyes, and drummer Matt Garstka are in town on the last of four dates in the UK before heading into Europe for a further nine dates. Tonight`s show has been sold out for some time and has been rearranged after the tour which was penned for January of this year was postponed.
The fellas released a new album last year `Parrhesia` whose title means boldness or frankness of speech and understandably half of tonight`s show is taken up with the majority of it.
Apart from the new release the guys share a few older cuts and it`s `Ectogenesis` from `The Madness of Many` album that begins with some tribal drumming before veering off into an almost sci fi world that truly ignited this already excitable and passionate crowd.
Cuts from `Parrhesia` included `Gordian Naught` which was a blistering rendition that really stood out where Tosin moved to the front of the stage while `Gestaltzerfall` became an almost wall of pulsating noise but `Thoughts and Prayers` was delightfully mesmerising as the number evolved to reveal it`s many complex layers.
There was a nod back in time with `The Brain Dance` which had a real jazzy vibe and gave us a bit of respite from the nigh on engulfing power of the songs shared.
The home stretch included the intricate `Red Miso` which seemed to garner the biggest cheer of the night before a couple of numbers from nearly a decade ago with `Physical Education` and `The Woven Web` ended the set.
The band were about to leave the stage, but Tosin encouraged Javier and Matt to remain and end tonight`s performance with `CAFO` from their self-titled debut album.
I have to say that I was pretty overwhelmed by the overall intensity of the show and it`s looking back today that I can maybe truly appreciate what was shared. All three members have a part to play in the aural presentation that we witnessed and present a form of music where at times you just have just have to ride the wave that they create.
