Russian Circles, Cloakroom
Recommended
A decade into their existence, Russian Circles have firmly established themselves as one of the very best—and most consistent—heavy bands on Earth. Since 2006, the Chicago trio has released six albums of pitch-perfect post-metal packed with quiet elegance, instrumental wizardry, and thunderous crescendos. The band’s new album, Guidance, only sharpens that focus. Recorded with metal super-producer Kurt Ballou, the seven songs on Guidance find guitarist Mike Sullivan unspooling wave after wave of sweeping, shimmering guitarscapes while drummer Dave Turncrantz and bassist Brian Cook build mountains of blackened, bone-rattling crunch. The result is truly emotional, exhausting, and awe-inspiring. Catch ’em tonight at the Doug Fir, and don’t miss opener Cloakroom, another Midwestern trio with a like-minded (though not instrumental) take on heavy rock ’n’ roll. BEN SALMON