HardRockChick

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors

The Wake Up: How To Destroy Angels, DIIV @ The Fox Pomona, 4/10/13

dev@hard
April 11, 2013
4
1

IMG_2819As I maneuvered traffic on the way to Pomona, my head was still abuzz with Black Sabbath riffs, and it didn’t hit me I was about to see my number one musical hero until I drove past The Fox and saw the line. I’m pretty sure this is the latest I’ve ever arrived to something involving Trent Reznor.

I’m not the biggest How To Destroy Angels fan- I’m a NIN fan that encounters an issue deep in my synapses where a song starts to sound like NIN and then a voice that is not Reznor’s starts singing and my brain goes “DOES NOT COMPUTE”. But I don’t dislike it, either, and above anything, I know that pretty much everything Reznor touches turns to gold, and that the production for this project would be in line with the amazing, technologically advanced things I’ve seen at NIN shows in the past.

IMG_2826DIIV opened up the show, looking like children who’s parents introduced them to Nirvana and do some serious shopping at Goodwill. At first I was lost….and then their final three songs really got me. Their dreamy, shoegaziness transitioned into something darker and slightly more dangerous. Even they said they were readying us into the next set. They kept repeating their name and that they were from New York, seriously working the platform they were given in front of what seemed to be a sold out crowd.

IMG_2834It’s going to be tough to describe what this set was like…but I will try. First of all, as the curtain raised for How To Destroy Angels, a switch flicked inside of me that took me right back to all of my memories following NIN around from 2005-2009. The feeling of being at that final show, and how much my life has changed since then. The part that NIN’s music has played in my life since I was a kid. All it took was being near to the profile of Trent Reznor with that guitar in hand.

IMG_2835On the left, Alessandro Cortini on bass, then Atticus Ross on the doo dads, then Mariqueen Reznor on more doo dads, Trent Reznor on guitar, and Rob Sheridan in some sort of live visuals station. But they were distorted behind these layers of “glass” panels that were being lit up in all kinds of ways. My first thought was, “this is like Daft Punk NIN!”. The strobes were blinding me. And then the panels started to turn….and you could hear the crowd go “oooohhhh….ahhhhh….” It was insane!

I was curious how this would sound live. As expected, it felt great live, the bass and beat heavy tracks vibrating my body. But no one was dancing. Mariqueen’s voice and live presence impressed me, and I was very hesitant going into this. She’s obviously been coached well by the school of Reznor. “Ice Age”, the song that most reveals her voice, sounded shockingly great, and paired with the fact that she moved to the front of the stage for it in a rare moment of revealment gave the song a certain drama. But my favorite HTDA track, “The Space In Between”, was remixed and then vocally destroyed. Seeing Trent focused on playing guitar was different, and I realized how I never really think of him as a guitarist. All in all, for the first show from a new band, it went very, very well.

IMG_2846More things were happening on stage that were blowing my mind as they played through seemingly every song they have. At one point I thought of Videodrome, at another, Tron. Whatever it was, it seemed almost not real, like I was on a ride at a theme park. Things would twist and turn that would almost disorient me. I wanted to touch the panels. There were moments when, paired with the placement of the band members, I remembered exactly moments from the Lights In The Sky tour- the raining lights in particular. But, that never gets old.

IMG_2854The band left and came back for an encore. Mariqueen thanked the crowd. A funny NIN insider moment: whenever she would pick up the tambourine, I would flinch. IT GLOWED IN THE DARK! I never got the much sought-after tambourine thrown at NIN shows. And in the encore, Trent picked it up, and I think I audibly screeched.

IMG_2855

As the final notes played, the crowd seemed zombiefied. To reiterate what someone around me was saying, there are a handful of live shows that really impress, really go above and beyond: The Wall, Rammstein, and Reznor’s projects. I feel very fortunate I was there to witness it’s debut.

Comments

  1. Not going to lie, I might have been one strobe light away from a seizure. Still an amazing show to be at. I was completely impressed with Mariqueen’s voice. I wasn’t sure what to expect but I was quite excited to be part of it. The crowd reaction was interesting. Most people were like me, not to sure about the music but definitely happy to have experienced a great show and another glimpse at Trent’s world.

    Great post by the way!

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Posts

A New Level: Metallica, Pantera, and Mammoth VH @ SoFi Stadium Los Angeles, 8/25/23

“Now a new look in my eyes my spirit riseForget the pastPresent tense works and lastsGot shit on, pissed on,…

September 4, 2023
9
0

Gimme Danger: Iggy Pop & The Losers with Grace McKagan @ The Pearl Las Vegas, 4/29/23

“Gimme danger, little strangerAnd I feel with you at easeGimme danger, little strangerAnd I’ll feel your disease There’s nothing in…

May 29, 2023
8
77

Kill or Become: Cannibal Corpse, Dark Funeral, Immolation, Black Anvil at House of Blues Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay 11/25/22

“Living out the days and nights in absolute fearNever knowing when and where thethreat of the undead draws nearThoughts of…

December 3, 2022
8
88

Looks That Kill: Mötley Crüe, Def Leppard, Poison, & Joan Jett & The Blackhearts @ Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, 9/9/22

“Now, listen up She’s a razor sharp If she don’t get her way She’ll slice you apart Now she’s a…

September 19, 2022
10
32

A Dangerous Meeting: Mercyful Fate, High on Fire, Paradise Lost, Fugitive, Suicidal Tendencies, Bone Thugs -n- Harmony, Frozen Soul, Emperor, Mayhem, Carcass, and Wolves in the Throne Room @ Psycho Las Vegas @ Resort World, 8/19-21/22

“Oh, they should have knownNot to play with the powers of HellSome people have lost their waySome people have lost…

August 30, 2022
12
32

Among the Living: Anthrax 40th Anniversary Tour with Black Label Society @ Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas, 7/28/22

“I’m the walking dudeI can see all the worldTwist your minds with fearI’m the man with the powerAmong the living,…

August 19, 2022
6
29

Mad World: Tears for Fears, Garbage @ Kia Forum in Los Angeles, 6/4/22

“And I find it kind of funny I find it kind of sad The dreams in which I’m dying Are…

June 12, 2022
8
19

She Sells Sanctuary: The Cult, Des Roc @ House of Blues Las Vegas, Mandalay Bay

“The sparkle in your eyes Keeps me alive And the sparkle in your eyes Keeps me alive, keeps me alive…

May 27, 2022
5
30

Rock You Like A Hurricane: Scorpions, Skid Row @ Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood, Las Vegas

“It’s early morning, the sun comes out Last night was shaking and pretty loud My cat is purring, it scratches…

April 15, 2022
5
38

Turbo Lover: 50 Years of Heavy Metal with Judas Priest and Queensrÿche @ Zappos Theater, Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino Las Vegas, 3/13/22

“We hold each other closer, as we shift to overdrive And everything goes rushing by, with every nerve alive We…

March 22, 2022
7
16