Chicago Got A Double-Dose Of Progressive Metal On Thursday As One Of The Season’s Biggest Tours Arrived At The Riviera

May 02, 2022 admin_bitlc Features, Music News, Reviews 0

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By Christopher David

Following a stellar opening set by doomy Colorado outfit Khemmis, Sweden’s Opeth brought a set drenched in compelling, moody visuals to accompany their unique take on ‘70s-esque prog and hard rock.  Delivering an seventy-minute set that ebbed and flowed from fleeting acoustic passages to lengthy epics showcasing the quintet’s depth (particularly set closer “Deliverance”), lead singer Mikael Akerfeldt provided dramatic context against a backdrop of burning churches and otherworldly creatures.  Opeth’s current sound defies easy explanation; imagine King Crimson as a band from the early ‘80s New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement, with touring drummer Sami Karppinen asserting himself as a solid anchor for the band’s often unexpected arrangements.

Atlanta’s Mastodon, currently basking in the success of 2021’s Hushed and Grim, brought a crushing set of tunes that highlighted just how far they’ve come in recent years.  The new album’s theme of death and reflection fit nicely against a mish-mash of visuals that drenched the band in dark light; singer/guitarist Brent Hinds cut an imposing figure, and new tunes “Pushing the Tides” and “Teardrinker” were even darker and heavier live than on record.  Mastodon’s lean toward prog-metal in recent years has expanded their sound in all the right ways, and while no stranger to Grammy nominations, their near flawless set at the Riv showcased a band at the peak of its powers.

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Opeth – Riviera Theater, Chicago, IL, April 28th, 2022 (setlist)

Hjartat vet vad Handen gor

Ghost of Perdition

Cusp of Eternity

The Devil’s Orchard

The Drapery Falls

In My Time of Need

Sorceress

Deliverance

 

Mastodon – Riviera Theater, Chicago, IL, April 28th, 2022 (setlist)

Pain With an Anchor

Crystal Skull

Megalodon

The Crux

Teardrinker

Bladecatcher

Black Tongue

Skeleton of Splendor

The Czar

Pushing the Tides

More Than I Could Chew

Mother Puncher

Gobblers of Dregs

Blood and Thunder

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