Following up the success of 2015’s Purple album, Baroness takes us on yet another and arguably, most prolific musical journey that is 2019’s Gold & Grey released on Abraxan Hymns. The album has the most lengthily track list of any of their previous releases outside of a double album with a staggering 17-songs containing six instrumentals and a total run time of just at an hour.
The first track “Front Towards Enemy” much like the actual warning off a claymore mine, the song explodes through your speakers, as the main riff is full of crunch and power. John Dyer Baizley is on top of his game vocally and of course behind the guitar, but what may have outshined his entire musical prowess is the albums artwork, which is a masterpiece in itself, and is being considered the final 6th piece of the bands chromatically themed records.
The album cover is something to marvel at as it very well could be displayed in some of the prominent art museums in the country. With its immense detail and multi-layered them, it without a doubt was the exclamation point on an artistic story told over the last 12 years. This album has proved to be more advanced musically and artistically then the band’s previous albums.
The need to expand and not only to challenge themselves, but to take their musical abilities to levels that had not been reached before, had never been greater. Out doing themselves on each album has been a goal since the beginning but even Baizley himself has said that they will most likely never be able to reproduce an album like this again. With that being said, the fans have much to look forward to with this record and their live shows will only captivate them even more.
As the cheers of the audience grow louder, their wait finally ends as the lights go out and the flashlights backstage light the way for Baroness’ entrance. As Sebastian Thomson and Nick Jost take their positions on stage, the crowd erupt as Gina Gleason and frontman John Dyer Baizley complete the onstage quartet. As Baizley gets his effect pedals dialed in, the symphony of sound begins between Gina and himself.
Using the volume knobs on their guitars, they roll it up and down coupled with delay to make a wall of multiple layers of sound. As Sebastian brings the intro to a close with the buildup of his symbols, the band breaks into “A Horse Called Golgotha” off 2009’s Blue Record. As the song progresses, Baizley and Gleason end up showing off their virtuoso guitar abilities as intricate solos are shared back and forth.
The band plays hit after hit across all of their albums, but one song that I had hoped would have made the setlist was Gold & Grey’s “Tourniquet”. The song would be the first to have an acoustic guitar on the album and even though it only served as the intro, it being paired with John Baizley’s voice, which had a “Wish You Where Here” type of feel to it, produces a peaceful overlay to what becomes a hypnotic upbeat track. As if the band granted me my wish, it was indeed the seventh song of the night. Even though there were no acoustics onstage, it was impressively re-created with electric guitars and Baizley’s voice rang through the room as angelic as it is on the album. Once the main riff kicked in the entire floor started to jump in unison, shouting the lyrics as passionate as the singer himself.
After what was supposed to be the last song of the night, the lights stay off and the band makes their way back to the stage. As soon as the crowd puts eyes on Baizley toting out his signature double neck, they erupt. He then soon takes the lead into what would be fan favorite “Ogeechee Hymnal”, another hit off the band’s Blue Record.
Much like the bands album progression, as the show went on, it seemed that the level of musicianship grew with each song. People have heard of “studio magic”, but to watch Baroness live is a true testament of the level of musical talent that they possess and clear-cut proof that they’re abilities are limitless.
The current U.S. leg continues until August 17th in Baltimore, MD then the band heads to Bogota, Columbia for the Radionica Festival. After a two-week break, Baroness takes the show across the pond for an extensive European leg that will carry the band from September 23rd all the way through November 29th.
For all band info and merch, head over to your baroness.com and don’t forget to pick up or stream your copy of Gold & Grey.
Review and photos by Rob
