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LOUD. Epic. Bombastic. Brooding. Inspiring. Powerful. Political. Rocking. Pounding. Confrontational. Theatrical. Captivating. Dynamic. High Tech.
Simply Amazing.
Did I mention Loud already?
Full review (with 25% less hyperbole) and pics after the jump....
Since they burst on the scene a few years ago with their album Absolution, Muse has gained the reputation as one of the best live bands out today. The hyperboles used in the intro to this were all words I had heard describing the Muse live experience. Friday night all of these were confirmed and Muse proved that they are entirely deserving of the title of one of the best live bands in the world.
When you hear Muse live one would assume it is at least a five member band but in fact all that noise is produced by just three men (with a little background help) Led by the energetic and multi-talented Matt Bellamy, this three member group can go from quiet classical piano driven pieces to booming, shredding guitar riffs without any effort. Touring in support of their newest release Black Holes and Revelations Muse played a set list comprised mostly of songs of this and Absolution, as well as a few older tracks and an amazing cover of the standard “Feelin’ Good.”
Opening with the epic “Knights of Cydonia” to current radio single “Starlight” and touching older hits like “Time is Running Out” and “Sing For Absolution,” Bellamy was always the showman constantly rocking out. It is amazing to watch a musician or anyone for that mater who is a master of their craft and Bellamy is truly a master musician, whether it be completely tearing a guitar solo apart or the quite storm of a piano solo, he was always on point and in top form.
Many will tell you that arena rock is dead and there are not any bands that rock like the days of yesteryear but I will make the case that it is not dead and lives through Muse. If this show was a sign of things to come then they are truly a force that will continue to shake arenas around the world for many years to come.
All photos by Joey Maloney/LAist.com
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