Posted 3/26/2008 by cal
Some people call it “prog-metal,” but you’re not going to see Chicago’s
Russian Circles playing any ten-minute moog solos. Some call it “post-metal,” but these guys have the heavy riffs to defy being called post-anything, along with the melodic sense to create engaging songs without the benefit of a human voice. Enter the new buzzword, “instru-metal,” a somewhat annoying but fairly accurate description of the band’s music, although it short-changes them on the moody atmospherics that help make their live show so dynamic. The band released its debut full-length, 2006’s
Enter, and toured extensively, developing a formidable live reputation. Before recording a follow-up album, the group parted ways with bassist Colin DeKuiper, a position which remains officially open. The group enlisted the help of
These Arms Are Snakes bassist Brian Cook to complete
Station, due out May 6 on
Suicide Squeeze Records; Cook has since filled in on bass for all of the band’s live dates as well. Before their February 29 show at the
Cactus Club, I spoke with drummer Dave Turncrantz and guitarist Mike Sullivan over pints of Guinness at a nearby watering hole.
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