There's something for everyone in this liturgy: Igorrr at Alcatraz, with DVNE and thoughtcrimes – Rockon.it

Article by Alessandro Cebrian Cobos | Photo by Katarina Dzolic

The music of Igorrr it falls into an unpredictable and post-modern category, which plays with a thousand different influences and structures. It is no coincidence that the project was born solo starting from a type of extreme electronic, extremely fragmented and recomposed, breakcore, and then evolved into a real group. The risk is that they remain inaccessible in their complexity, or that they lose it to take refuge in more familiar models. On the date toAlcatraz of Milan instead showed what type of show they are capable of giving: an epic show.

The thoughtcrimes open the dance

THE thoughtcrimes they are from New York and it is their first time in Europe. They are the drummer's project Billy Rymeralready in the very technical Dillinger Escape Plan, with which Mike Patton of Mr. Bungle collaborated (but we'll come back to this relationship later). They warm up the atmosphere by mixing the dynamism of metalcore, a certain death/doom evil, and an often HC trend. Billy plays a lot with contrast, also using samples especially in the introductions, but he also doesn't disdain passages and an entire piece, Lunar Wavesmore melodic and atmospheric. Ultimately they show a nice energy, especially at the end; but they are a bit penalized by the little space on the stage, already occupied by the headliners' equipment, and I think they would give more in a more comfortable situation.

The DVNE between atmosphere and intensity

They take the stage again DVNEa band based in Edinburgh and also as the headliners released by Metal Blade. Here we are on other vibrations: DVNE bring a very evocative type of progressive metal, suitable for imagining the desert expanses of the book they refer to with their name. The technical level is very high and I am impressed by the low serpentine of Eleanor. At the same time there is no shortage of roughness, especially in the voices with truly satisfying harmonies and call-and-response between clean, scream and growl. The audience is more enraptured than thrilled, also because the times are those of doom and stoner, which are my favorites so I'm not complaining. However, they add a non-trivial element, which unites this evening's artists in different manifestations: a certain dramatic, almost narrative awareness, accompanying the most emotional moments of the piece with clear light effects that make them very exciting. The set isn't very long but it leaves me satisfied, even if a little impatient for the main course of the evening.

The headliners of the evening: Igorrr

Immediately, when the organic pulsations and the whisper that open start Daemonsthe music of the electronic project turned metal band of Gautier Serre it appears kaleidoscopic, preying on your attention with different elements appearing one after the other.

There are the very violent riffs, of Martyn Clement on guitar sometimes helped by Gautier, and there is also incredible technique, especially in the rhythms of Rémi Serafino to the battery. Among other things, many of the sounds, such as bass and traditional or classical instruments, are sequenced and modified by Gautier's controls, so the band has no room to improvise or correct the shot on the fly, it can only be constantly very precise. Blastbeat Falafelwith its strange fast tempos and Eastern Mediterranean riffs, is one of the most enjoyable and fun moments. The studio version hosts Trey Spruance, guitarist of Mr. Bungle (here's the relationship again); and in fact the piece sounds like a portable but updated version of Ars Moriendi.

Click here to see the photos of Igorrr in concert in Milan or browse the gallery below

There is also the more electronic, more chaotically breakcore aspect, a part that was prominent at the origins of the project and has weakened over time. Voices and instruments are often effected, chopped up as if they were degrading, rotting electronically. At various times like in the intro of ADHDGautier remains alone behind his set, taking care of his neurotic rhythms. He is the only one who is always present, the others often leave the stage and then reappear in the darkness, as if summoned. And it is perhaps no coincidence that the two voices of the band recall a priest and a priestess of some immense dark temple, she dressed in white with a veil or cloak on her shoulders, he hooded and with his face painted black.

Two powerful vocalists and an evocative show

It is essential to say a few words about the singers because they are the most impressive part of the concert: JB Le Bail deals with growling, screaming and guttural singing and does so with a gravitas and uncanny physicality. Marthe Alexandre she is an incredibly expressive opera singer, even in her way of managing the stage space. During Silence she sings lying down, only her raised feet emerge and move slowly with the progress of the piano. It's impossible to say which of the two expresses more power in their vocal duel ieuD.

Yet all this wouldn't be so effective if it weren't for two elements: Igorrr's talent in composing satisfying songs, which build tension and then break it at the right moment with the right riff; and a great lighting job that enhances the expressiveness of the music and the musicians at all times, with LED beams, backlighting, focus on one or the other. In short, in this live show there is something for everyone, for all tastes; but this sense of drama, this solemnity, unites the elements and makes them attractive to all, in a delightfully morbid way.

The three-piece encore sums up the entire journey, and leaves a great sense of satisfaction among the audience, who besieges the merch counter for another good half hour. Meanwhile, I feel as if I had witnessed the invocation of the Moloch of Cabiria: perhaps the Igorrr were sent to us to involve us in atheistic, ambiguous, fascinating and wonderful liturgies?

Click here to see the photographs of the IGORRR concert at Alcatraz in Milan, or browse the gallery below

Igorrr – the setlist of the MILAN concert

1. Daemons
2. Spaghetti Forever
3. Nervous Waltz
4. Blastbeat Falafel
5. Downgrade Desert
6. ADHD
7. ieuD
8. Hollow Tree
9. Polyphonic Rust
10. Headbutt
11. Infestis
12. Pure Disproportionate Black and White Nihilism
13. Silence
14. Viande
15. Himalaya Massive Ritual

BIS:

1. Very Noise
2. Camel Dancefloor
3. Opus Brain

DVNE – the lineup of the MILAN concert

1. Yes-XIV
2. Eleanor
3. Abode of the Perfect Soul
4. Cobalt Sun Necropolis

thoughtcrimes – the setlist of the MILAN concert

1. Violent Garden
2. Soapbox Sermon
3. Keyhole Romance
4. Wedlock Waltz
5. Lunar Waves
6. Artificer
7. Rose Bather