Between the Buried and Me – Live @ House of Blues – Chicago

Not even a cloudy and heavily rainy evening in beautiful Chicago could detain metal enthusiasts from gathering in anticipation for an unforgettable night as progressive metal titans, Between the Buried and Me, brought their anticipated tour to a sold-out House of Blues. An atmosphere crackled with energy as fans eagerly awaited for the band performance, desperate to be immersed into the sonic world of their critically acclaimed album, “The Parallax II: Future Sequence,” for which the tour was christened and molded.

As the band members, Tommy Rogers (vocals, keyboards), Paul Waggoner (lead guitar), fill-in Tristan Auman (rhythm guitar), Dan Briggs (bass), and Blake Richardson (drums), emerged amidst thunderous applause, the fanatic nature from onlookers was highly palpable.

The setting adorned with a stunning backdrop featuring mind-bending graphics that perfectly captured the essence of the album. Each song accompanied of dynamic strobes and captivating visuals, bringing the narrative of “The Parallax II: Future Sequence” to life. The interplay between the intricate melodies and the synchronized designs created an alluring experience that transported the audience to new dimensions.

From the explosive opening track to the last triumphant note, Between the Buried and Me delivered a relentless onslaught of technical proficiency and raw emotion. The band’s chemistry was evident as they seamlessly transitioned between complex time signatures and genres, showcasing their virtuosity. Rogers commanded the stage with his captivating vocals, effortlessly shifting from guttural growls to soaring melodies, his voice serving as a conduit for the band’s intense energy.

Waggoner and Auman presented string work nothing short of mesmerizing. Their intricate riffs and blazing solos painted vivid musical landscapes by way of their technical prowess. Briggs‘ bass lines added a thunderous backbone to the band’s sound, shooting a sense of heaviness that reverberated through the venue. Meanwhile, Richardson‘s drumming provided the foundation for the band’s complex compositions, his precise and powerful beats driving the music forward with relentless energy.

Onlookers, submerged into the feel of the music, erupted into a frenzy of moshing, headbanging, and crowd surfing. The House of Blues transformed into a chaotic sea of bodies, as BTBAM maniacs unleashed their pent-up energy in an explosion of movement and excitement. The band’s relentless performance fed off this unmistakable energy, resulting in a symbiotic relationship between the performers and patrons. Intricate instrumental passages, progressive structures, and emotional crescendos captivated attendees and structuring an intoxicating atmosphere.

To conclude, Between the Buried and Me served up a transcendent and soul-lifting experience. The backdrop graphics flashing parallel to each The Parallax II: Future Sequence banger added a visually stunning dimension to the festivities. The crowd surfing, moshing, and general craziness in the venue amplified the intensity of the evening. This concert was a heart-pumping journey into the depths of progressive metal, leaving a trail of euphoria long after the final notes had faded away.