February 5, 2011

Conniption - The Rave, Milwaukee

1/29/11

Conniption is local music at its best. Whether or not your fan of the hard-rocking and the loud, accelerated thrashing, every music listener is able to discover something of interest from these guys.

Before the main set, the opening bands did a great job of setting the mood for the evening. The two groups that I had the treat of listening to were Spider xXx, whose hard rockin' tunes had fists pumping in the air from the beginning, and The Heroes Lie. Appearing as a knock-off Avenge Sevenfold act (obviously a strong influence, though), the boys in the Heroes Lie proved that metal music still has class, and as the surprisingly great tracks came from the speakers, the highlight of the set had to be a phenomenal Dio cover entitled Rainbow in the Dark. The entire band was ace in recreating a classic. All originals, including a new track Dirty Girl, were enjoyable. This band definitely has something going for them, and the singer has some real talent. A minute of Slayer's Angel of Death was also demanded, as the mosh pit grew into catastrophe. Let's put it this way, the guitarist of The Heroes Lie doesn't f**k around.

Conniption walked onstage soon enough and lights out. Starting off with The Road Less Traveled, it was clear that the next hour and a half was to be epic; simple as that.

It almost seemed like the first track was just to get themselves situated, and to really kick things off, the band rolled into perhaps the most popular track, Light the Stage, calling for an immediate mosh pit to accompany the thrashing music. Now with the audience in the palm of their hands, Conniption was ready to melt some faces, and I want to say literally speaking.

The set-list included songs off of the band's first release (Method to Madness) and their upcoming and highly anticipated second release (Kamikaze), which is due out this Spring 2011. Every song was performed flawlessly and with ease. Each track included a top-notch guitar solo from Bill House, and several more from lead vocalist, Michael Brigham. A few special notes could be The Witches Hammer, Quietus, Fear Itself, and The Torrent. To further spice things up, Metallica's The Four Horsemen was thrown in to much enjoyment.

Perhaps the most beautiful song of the evening, And the Sun Ran Away with the Moon involved an obviously intense and full-hearted guitar solo from House. Melodies and harmonies were floating everywhere in the room and between peoples ears as Conniption continued to put the audience into a trance. Soon to be broken with yet another mosh pit, the fast paced, shout-along Metal Mayhem was the closer the first set.

The encore of Conniption's set once again proved that these fans were not about to let up the excitement, as the moshing continued and the band agreed. Performing the wicked title track, Kamikaze, the music wasn't about to stop. Jokingly asking if the audience were fans of Rage Against The Machine and hearing excitment build, the band then stated "Cool! So here's another original!" After four strong chords and the recognizable bass solo from Cody Dziuk, it seemed every person in the room was jumping and well... yelling along to Killing in the Name Of. A very special treat for all, and played just because "they could". To close the night, another smashing track entitled Bringer of War jammed everyone out, and as the last note rang in our eardrums, we couldn't feel our bodies.

These dudes from Conniption know exactly what they are doing: guitar harmonies, vocal harmonies, "in your face" stage presence, and of course, the signature long hair... With all of their knowledge and skills put together, they make for a damn good rock show. Hey guys, when you get famous, we'll be here in our bedrooms with every album feeling proud of you.

Conniption's full set:
  1. The Road Less Traveled
  2. Light the Stage
  3. Highway Star (Deep Purple cover)
  4. Quietus
  5. Reunion/ Fear Itself/ The Scorpion Tale
  6. The Torrent/ Bill Guitar Solo
  7. The Four Horsemen (Metallica cover)
  8. The Witches Hammer
  9. What Will Be
  10. And the Sun Ran Away with the Moon
  11. Take on the World/ Eye for an Eye
  12. Metal Mayhem
ENCORE
13. Kamikaze
14. Killing in the Name Of (Rage Against the Machine cover)
15. Bringer of War

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