Russian Circles, KEN mode, Inter Arma Date: February 18, 2014 Venue: Rock & Roll Hotel, Washington, DC Following January's blackened-thrash and viking metal onslaught at the 2,000 capacity Fillmore, a couple weeks back I hit another must-see package tour at the more intimate 350 capacity Rock & Roll Hotel - Russian Circles with KEN mode and Inter Arma. The evening served as a reminder of the wide spectrum of style and philosophy that exists in the metal scene. Whereas populist showmen like Amon Amarth and Skeletonwitch relish in the fabricated drama and spectacle of viking lore and the occult, not shy to remind everyone that it's all in good fun, Russian Circles and their tour-mates are dead serious about this shit - it's about the art, man. Russian Circles - Brian Cook and Dave Turncrantz (left to right) Despite all the blog debate, "hipster metal" really is a thing. Drawing heavily from non-metal genres like post-punk, post-rock,...
My life in music. . . .