Post-Metal Maestros Headline Sold-Out Show At Great American
By Dave Pehling
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- For the better part of the past 15 years, Chicago instrumental trio Russian Circles has been one of the key players if the Midwestern city's fertile experimental metal scene. Founded in 2004 by guitarist Mike Sullivan and original bassist Colin DeKuiper after their math-rock band Dakota/Dakota dissolved, the two musicians recruited metal drummer David Turncrantz and started exploring cinematic sonic territory that nodded to Chicago post-rock pioneers Tortoise and similarly heavy instrumental act Pelican.
The group would part ways with DeKuiper in 2008, bringing former Botch/These Arms Are Snakes bassist Brian Cook on board for the recording of their second album, Station. With its line-up solidified, the trio has refined its slowly blossoming style of atmospheric post-metal to majestic new heights.
Recording for independent label Sergeant House since the release of the band's fourth effort Empros in 2011, the trio has continued to build on it's loyal fan base. Though the group has yet to release a studio follow-up to its most recent elegiac album Memorial from 2016 (though they did issue its first concert recording Live at Dunk! Fest last year), fans are sure to pack the Great American Music Hall in hopes of a preview of new Russian Circles material.
The band will be joined King Woman, the ethereal San Francisco doom band fronted by powerhouse singer Kristina Esfandiari that released its acclaimed debut album -- Created in the Image of Suffering -- last year on Relapse Records.
Russian Circles with King Woman
Thursday, March 29, 8 p.m. $21.50-$23.50 (sold out)
Great American Music Hall
