Album Review: Russian Circles - Guidance

Instrumental Post Rock. Progressive Metal. Indi-Alt. Metal. I'm gonna cut the shit right now. I don't think that there is a single label that you could tag onto this band. It simply would not be fair to these guys. They are in a class all by themselves.

Most of us think of music in terms of having a structure that is in rondo form. For example, idea A would be a verse. Idea B would be a bridge. Idea C would be a chorus. The whole sequence is always repeated two or three times in a typical rock song. Not with these guys. They take one theme and grow it in a lateral way into something that is sonically breathtaking.

Instead rather, the structure of this music can be best described as a sonata form. It would be a structure that looks like A (theme), B, C, D, E, F, G, H, etc. until capitulation then conclusion. It's astonishing for the ears to behold. There are not very many bands out there that can pull it off like these guys and it rocks.

That fact that this music is free of any vocalist's preconceived notion of what a particular song should be indicates the presence of total freedom for the listener to just simply insert their own thing. That thing could be a memory, a feeling, or even a melody or groove. It does not matter. What matters is that it belongs to you. It is powerful and picturesque all at the same time.

I challenge everyone reading this to go through this band's entire catalogue and get lost. Take a journey of self-discovery. Find out for yourself at each movement by asking, "How is this moving me right now?" Trust your instincts with what these sounds conjure in your mind visually and with your feelings. OK. Fuck it. Roll a big ass blunt and smoke that motherfucker before you embark into all things Russian Circles.

The synergy and musicianship is an astonishing thing to behold. Ask any living soul that has seen them live. That being said, and this being my first published feature, I will humbly try to explain as I what I have found in appreciating their work. It's the how and the why that excites me. Most of all the passion.

Here a little back story. Sometime way back when in June or July of 2008 and at separate times, Kenneth, the CO and co-owner of this Zine, and I walked into the exact same record store and heard this incredible music echoing loudly throughout the store. Both of us, at separate times mind you, walked up to the counter to inquire about the amazing sounds which were bursting forth from the speakers. This dude behind the counter says, "Oh. That's a new record by a band called Russian Circles called "Station". You just missed them. They recently did a show down the street." I immediately purchased this intriguing CD and I couldn't believe my ears soon afterward. The next day went back to Street Side Records and purchased their second album "Enter". From that point on I have followed them ever since.

Before I get started on this review I gave the above mentioned album a complete run through since I think this record that best quantifies who they truly are. It is also the one most dear to me after all, it was the first that I purchased back when it was released. Both my editor and I discovered them in the exact same way. Let us now begin with a proper rundown of their newest album, "Guidance".




Guidance
"An introspective review of the above titled album"

1. Asa - The mood is warm as the guitar picks a consoling progression as lonely notes echo behind it. I can't help but darken the room to which I live and work. Then I think of the peace of being alone, in my zone. It becomes a silent dialogue between Creator and Created. The warm progression of chords being picked have a warm and consoling aura. The lonely and echoing notes are nothing more than my yearning to be loved and cared for. Especially during those tough times when I am tapped out psychologically.

2. Vorel - Grab ahold of your nuts on this one the fury begins here. Like a herd of natural born killers rushing forward onto battle. This is a very straight forward jam. Brian, the bass player is fucking gunning it on this one. The dynamic tone resonating off of both the guitar and bass is nothing short of incredible. Toward the end and at a monstrous proportion the guitars are chugging with sinister wrath in mind while the bass is kicking you straight in the balls. Got to love this one.

3. Moto - This is the point where you get right down to the general melodic theme throughout this record which is set up like an overture of epic proportions. There's a nice part where Brian plays a lead bass while the guitar player mike follows along. Then the progression of chords are dark. This is Brian's song for sure. I have noticed that the best RC songs are the ones that you can really hear Brian on. Then guitarist Mike allows the song dissipate into the next track.

4. Afrika - This song could be played at a trophy presenting ceremony. It sounds like victory with a capital V and I feel that. These guys deserve all the best.

5. Overboard - This song is what I feel like when I finally realized that I just went way over the top on something. It could be anything. I could have just blew up on my boss, friend, or associate. This is the chill song for me. Definitely the song to listen to when you need five minutes to decompress.

6. Calla - This is the fight song on the record. This is that point in the record when you nut up and start taking care of business. Git er Duuuuun! That's right! On this one there are some woolly mammoth riffs along with some pretty frosty grooves coming off the bass. This is the beast coming out it's lair. The mounting army gathering into formation to destroy the beast ahead.

7. Lisboa - The field after a tumultuous battle. It moves to largo tempo. The search for a reason and nothing left to console yet gratitude for survival. Victory or no victory all of us can hope for better outcomes in those conflicts that rise up within us. We just have to give it our best shot and move forward. If fate wills it we will get a chance to fight again. We get, up dust ourselves off, leave the past behind and never forget those we lost. Our progress will be a testament to their sacrifice, hope, and hearts gushing blood onto the field of battle. Toward the end, when the music starts to surrender, it then burns the eyes out of your skull because with great music like this you don't need them anymore. This record does not end with a bang but with a capitulation that is unmatched in any other album I have heard.

Show Review
09/08/2016 6:45pm

I arrived at the Riot Room in Kansas City with just a few people there. The band arrived at 7:10pm and didn't finish setting up until just before 10:00pm. By 9:30pm the area around the stage was packed.

In the interim I was able to make my acquaintance with the band. I introduced myself and told them who I was. They were very cool and excited to play this show. Given the short time they had to set up to play a breathtaking show I didn't have an opportunity to sit down with them because time constraints and the demands of their travel itinerary. However, I did get to see a show that I have been wanting to see for a long time. The first thing that stood out to me was the rig. It was the most organic setup I have ever seen. Just amps and multiple effects peddles wired together and miked up amps. I love it. It doesn't get any more authentic than that.

The warm glow of the lights where accented by smoke machines from behind the left and right side of the stage. All they had was a single black vail blanketing from behind the stage. It was mostly dark. This event has nothing to do with the band or the 150 plus people that occupied the club for the evening. It was all about the music. In the most organic way their art was being presented live and in person.

There is nothing like feeling Dave's kick drum punching you in chest and articulating the mood changes with flawless execution. This mother fucker only has a FOUR PIECE KIT and it sounds like a sixteen. I shit you not. I wonder how many drummers in attendance went home thinking, "I suck". If Dave is the beating heart? Brian and Mike are the soul and body. At this stage of this entire article, I must say that it is astonishing that this is just a trio. They have such a big sound that keeps getting bigger. As the music intensified and digresses and intensifies again, in perfect unison. You would almost think that all of the three brains on that stage were hardwired together like something out of a sci-fi movie. The rock world has not seen anything like this since the golden days of Led Zeppelin.

About halfway through the show I start thinking about where this music takes me and I am amazed to behold it in such an intimate way. The show ended at around 11:30 and since the guys had to hurry and pack up so they could get back home by 5:30am.

I spent the next hour talking to other people curious as to what they appreciate in this band. I asked one young lady "What do you love most about this band?" She replied, "I really love that they are consistent and powerful." That said a lot and made me think. During the course of the entire RC discography, each record has a character that is all its own and at the same time this band maintains their identity throughout each record. I asked another person the same thing he said that he really likes the satanic lyrics in the songs. He was pretty wasted as was I. It was a night I will never forget. I intend on continuing to follow this band. I wish them a continued success and I hope that they return to Kansas City soon. -Brian Biggerstaff


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Tags:  Russian Circles, Guidance, Largo, Sonnata, Lisboa

Brian "JR" Biggerstaff    September 12, 2016