Following a not-so-long but nonetheless distinguished tradition of heavy-as-shit bands with feminine names, this Savannah, Georgia four-piece finds the sweet spot between harsher, more modern brands of metal and the genres tamer 70s prototypes. Arguably, though, Baroness hits an even more precise bullseye, and comes up with more compelling material, than its critically-hailed peers. (Insert references to fellow Georgia-based press darlings Mastodon and Torche here.) The epic song structure still represents a kind of holy grail among metal bands, and Baroness performs an unlikely coup by successfully taking you on long, rewarding journeys without making you feel like you had to burn calories and brain cells to get through them. And the bands songwriting skills elevate its work above mere genre exercise or retro guitar tone fetish. Still, Baroness exercises taste with good taste, which is to say it rips when it should — and will make your ass work up a sweat. With CLUTCH, Lionize. All ages.
Fri., July 24, 8 p.m., 2009
