The Japanese doom metal legends played their 1998 album in full at incendiary San Diego show
The Tokyo-based doom metal unit Boris has had a truly unique career, going back to their galvanizing, corrosive 1998 album Amplifier Worship, which signaled their arrival as one of the most interesting and forward-thinking rising bands in the metal space.
Since then, they’ve released several beloved, important albums that have demonstrated their sonic evolution, incorporating elements of noise rock, shoegaze, stoner metal, and post-rock along the way. That includes 2000’s Flood, 2003’s Boris At Last -Feedbacker-, their 2006 collab release Altar with Sunn O))), and many more. Through it all, they’ve remained a spellbinding live act that draws rabid crowds all around the world. Last week at San Diego’s Music Box – located in Little Italy – Boris turned back the clock to where it began, delivering an incendiary performance of Amplifier Worship in full as they have everywhere else on their latest leg of U.S. tour dates.
Setting the tone with the daunting, ominous album opener “Huge” – which sounds every bit as stratospheric as it’s title suggests – the band’s wiry, charismatic frontman Atsuo slithered on the stage while unleashing hoarse, gravely growls that cut through the staticky noise. From there, Boris continued with an hour and a half of intensely unabashed brilliance, with guitarist Wata laying down thick, combustible riffs that unraveled in molasses-like fashion. Meanwhile, Takeshi put his dual bass and guitar skills on full display via his dazzling double-neck. As always, the trio demonstrated a telepathic connection that has permeated their work since their formation in 1992.
Everything about the show – from the band’s sound, onstage presence, and the fog and lights – resulted in an absolutely mesmerizing stage spectacle that had fans in the palm of their hand from the start. The energy in the crowd only intensified, with sporadic mosh pits forming during some of the more uptempo moments of the performance. The show came to a cathartic, explosive end with the encore, in which Boris performed fan favorite “NO” for everyone who stuck around well past midnight to take everything in. All in all, another beguiling live display from the legendary Japanese band. You can scroll through the photos below for the highlights.
All Photos by Michael Christy
