Boris made their way through St. Louis once again. This time, the band is on tour celebrating the 25th anniversary of the release of Amplifier Worship, an album that catapulted Boris on a trajectory of music that is, at its essence, an experience in which one must let go and allow oneself to be immersed.
Since forming in 1992, this Japanese band has been redefining music. This experimental, industrial, drone metal, goth, trance-like trio simply bursts through any type of genre you try to add them to.
Atsuo glided on stage amid a haze of smoke to the delight of the hard-core fans in attendance at Delmar Hall on this Sunday night. Cloaked in all black, the vocalist/drummer solemnly poised himself center stage for the majority of “Huge” gazing into the crowd and beckoning them with steady hand movements. When not on the mic, Atsuo was either seated at his drum set facing away from the crowd or flowing across stage intensely drawing in the mesmerized crowd.
The night consisted of the entirety of Amplifier Worship as well as three other compositions including the dark “Scar Box” and the newer, noisier, layered “Loveless.”
Long-time members Ohtani’s double-necked bass/guitar and Wata’s guitar added melodic, noisy layers to create an otherworldly atmosphere while guest drummer Muchio added even more power and depth to this 90-minute experience.
Also no stranger to St. Louis, L.A.-based Starcrawler opened the night with a nearly hour-set of their raw, in-your-face, power-pop-punk rock ’n’ roll tinged with a side of ’70s glam-rock. Lead vocalist, Arrow de Wilde is the eye-candy and the draw for this group that’s been around since 2015. With electrifying energy, Wilde stayed confined to mostly center stage but that did not keep her from thrashing and contorting her lanky limbs and body throughout the night. Flashing a wide grin every so often, Wilde tossed out a few “it’s great to be in St. Louis” shouts between songs.
While the majority of the crowd was there for Boris, we’re pretty certain Starcrawler came away with newfound fans. At least a few in the crowd were there solely for Starcrawler.
For fans, Sunday night was an immersive experience that will last until the next time Boris gravitates back to St. Louis.
See all photos from the Amplifier Worship Service 2024 tour: https://bit.ly/Boris24cz
In my work life, I help nonprofits and small businesses with media and public relations. In my what I love to do life, you can typically find me photographing either wild horses or concerts.
