The Plot Synopsis: Nuerosis plans a rare show at the Brooklyn Masonic Temple in Fort Greene, a bit off the beaten path, and adds post-rock addled metal stars Mastodon as a very special guest.
My Two Cents: Usually a town will have one of these buildings and they will be the center of the town. Everyone will know how to navigate based on where they are in relationship with this particular building, usually an old bank or church building. The thing is with New York is that these buildings are everywhere, these just gorgeous feats of architectual integrity, back when it was supposed to be integral to the building of a temple. The structure was incredible, a big open performance space, with a large, seated balcony. The masses in thier black hoodies, noserings and dreadlocks were downstairs in the smoking room, filling the bottom floor with the smell of Brooklyn, circa 1999. The place was not especially laid out for a metal performance, but the shows were okay.
Mastodon sounded a bit muddled. I do appreciate their ability to just attack their instruments with abandonment, to shred me to pieces with fingers that flew up and down the fretboards like pieces of spaghetti. And I especially like hearing the Thin Lizzy/Lynyrd Skynyrd guitar licks fly in there. This was one of the best bands I had ever seen four years ago. They were good tonight, but it was a firmly average show.
Neurosis came on shortly after, sounded much louder and much better. I wasn't as blown away as I was expecting. In fact, my friends split four songs in, but I decided to stay. It got much better and continued to improve, sending me to the schwag table with money to burn, where I bought my own black hoodie, in support of smoking rooms and Masonic Temples.
I staggered out of there, which is what 5 dollar 20-ounce Becks will do to you.
My Grade: C+
