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Unexpect Concert Review
As I drove downtown last Tuesday, my expectations for the evening were conservative at best. Yet, even those moderate hopes were enough to keep me buzzing in anticipation. Unexpect were finally in Chicago. It has been years since I first discovered this group in the dregs of Galy Records’ website and was completely entranced. Up until that point, and indeed even since, the bands that so immediately inspired me can probably be counted on one hand.
This excitement is probably to blame for me missing the sign for The Beat Kitchen, twice, despite the fact that I’ve driven past it time and time again to make the trek to Metal Haven. After realizing how to read block number, turning around, and luckily finding parking (for free) on a side street, I arrived at the door two minutes before the show’s scheduled beginning at 6 PM.
I quickly learned that the doors were opening at 6, not the show. Having nothing else to do, I got my pass and the ‘x’ on my hand and walked through the sports bar to the small concert hall at the back of the venue where I found merch tables and a peculiar trio behind them. One was sullen and scene, another bored and urban, while the third looked pulled from a Hot Topic catalogue, complete with bulky black jeans, ragged shirt, and intricately braided hair. Clearly, this last fellow was Unexpect’s representative, and, as I soon discovered, not only their representative, but lead singer/guitarist/mastermind syriaK himself.
After I identified myself as the pesky guy who’d emailed them throughout the week, we exchanged pleasantries and I perused their merchandise. Apparently, the band wasn’t able to acquire a seller’s license, they were forced to clandestinely transport what shirts and CD’s they had in their baggage, so there were only four or five shirts for sale and none of their newest album. I said I would come back later for a shirt, thinking to keep my hands free for pictures. This was a foolish decision, but more on that later.
In the next minutes, no less than six French-speaking young folk amassed near the table, discussing (I presume) the schedule for the evening, and it was established that the show was to begin at 7. So, with forty minutes remaining, syriaK and I again struck up conversation, this time discussing everything from snooty Frenchmen to lazy Americans to what it’s like touring with seven band members and only one automobile. His English, while accented, was eloquent and expressive, and although the garish outfit threw me off initially, his pleasant and affable mien soon won me over. Every member I spoke with, actually, was equally charming.
When the time came for them to begin, they simply walked up through the sparse crowd and got on stage, since The Beat Kitchen has no backstage or fancy lighting, smoke machines, etc. Their peculiar costumes seemed at odds with the rudimentary stage setup, but once the ambience of opener ‘Novae’ kicked in, they assumed a convincing focus that belied the humble surroundings.
In this prelude, I took a final moment to reflect on what was to come. Unexpect’s albums are an absolute clinic in expressive, multi-faceted, and dexterous music. To expect them to be able to pull this off live would be naïve, and as I stated above, I expected mediocrity. But really, I now realize that I must learn to trust in Metal more often. This was the third consecutive show where my skepticism has been dashed, and what better experience than Unexpect to drive home this point with authority.
It may sound like hyperbole, but I believe that I have never seen so unique a collective stage presence. All seven of them fit on a stage that could not have been more than fifteen paces wide and five deep, and despite this clutter, they each managed to exude their own personality and perform exquisitely. In this, Unexpect are one of the few bands that can rightly be labeled as an ensemble cast. From the backbone of Landryx’s drums to the beautiful, talented (and beautifully talented) Leìlindel, each member plays a key role that the whole could not survive without; there is no frontman (or woman). Female vocalists and violin players may seem like genre gimmicks, but both were so naturally brought into the traditional (used relatively here, as Unexpect are anything but traditional) metal fold of keys, bass, guitars, and drums.
Just as captivating was the range of expression displayed by this patchwork group. syriaK wobbled and wandered, Artagoth (guitar) stomped and shouted, ChaotH (bass) spasmed, Le Bateleur (violinist, and an impressive one at that) was demure, and Leìlindel playful. At certain moments, though, where each divergent strand came together for a chorus or a theme, they moved and thrashed in unison.
syriaK may be the ‘leader’ of the band, but other guitarist Artagoth actually does as much of, if not more, the harsh vocals as does syriaK. Speaking of harsh vocals, my jaw about dropped when Leìlindel belted out some growls herself, and looked as happy and at ease performing them as the lilting melodies she handled so well throughout the rest of the set. I admit that at times I had difficulty focusing the camera’s eye elsewhere. Back on topic, I had also expected the keyboard to play a heavy supporting role, what with all the intricate vocals and supplementary sounds Unexpect use, but from the clean vocal harmonies to the flanged guitars, they played it all. This is not meant to take away from ExoD, though, who managed the ambience and actual ‘piano’ pieces very well indeed.
Their set list was fairly short, but it included interesting cuts from their newest album, ‘In a Flesh Aquarium’ (which should appear on every discerning metal fan’s top ten list at year’s end), and none of the ‘singles’ released for promotion.
By the end of their set, the slugs in the audience had warmed up a bit and it was obvious that this Canadian septet had converted at least a few more to their cause. By the time I got back to the merch table, all the shirts were sold out, and most of the demos were also gone. Missing out on the shirt is a bother, since they’ve not established a merchandise site on their website yet, but at least this gives me another excuse to go see them again sometime.
The other bands playing were Foxy Shazam and Super 8 Bit Brothers. The former is a seemingly normal, slightly fuzzy group of guys playing autistic super-hard dance rock, complete with stuttered, irrelevant anecdotes, elaborate pantomimes, and much gesticulating. Unique and hilariously entertaining to those in the audience who like this sort of thing, but certainly not for everyone, myself included.
The Super 8 Bit Brothers were more entertaining than I would have given them credit for and had some undeniably catchy beats, but were really for comedic purposes only. That is their goal, though, and they achieve it well. I particularly like the flashing glasses one of their vocalists sported.
After the final song, everyone was bundled out the side door to make room for the second show of the night (headlined by Isis—quite a one-two, if I do say so myself), so I unfortunately wasn’t able to give final thanks and praise to Unexpect, but I did manage to snag a set list and get autographs from them. They are all eager and thoughtful people, which I realized for the third time as they made a point to pass the list from one to another, whether it was convenient or not, making a point to assure me a good memento. For all their internet success, they are a still very ‘local’ at heart. If you have the opportunity to see them, do so, immediately. It is utterly worth your time.
Oh, and as a final note. ChaotH and his nine string bass have been getting some criticism as Unexpect gain popularity. Some feel that he’s simply showing off, probably isn’t that good, and really doesn’t need or use that many strings. I tell you now, having witnessed his four-fingered plucking and hand-blurring speed, yeah, he’s that good.
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