Summer in Missouri is a difficult thing at times.  The weather can lean towards the unbearable and those unable to get out of the heat place their lives in danger (though, thankfully, the power outages that hit parts of the state last year didn’t go down this time around).  As for me personally, I’ve been busy with the paying job and the occasional show.  As a result, I haven’t really had time to get much else taken care of.  When I learned this show was coming around, I wanted to check it out.  I think you know what went down next.

      Because of a late dimmer with friends, I ended up missing Ghost in the Machine’s opening set (I’m still curious about them but there will be other chances to check them out).  Instead I arrived at Mojo’s part way through the performance of Mouth of the Architect.  This quintet (from Lawrence) blends atmospheric keyboards with pummeling almost dirge like metal leaning rock.  What arises from this mix are dual guitar fired unrelenting sonic assaults with screamed vocals and a feel that almost tramples you underfoot in the process.  Their songs mine dynamic contrasts and keep the tension simmering with a dark side that’s both ethereal and intense.  I’d heard interesting things about this band and I have to say they lived up to what I’d heard about them.

     I’d heard of Made Out of Babies before this show but didn’t know all that much about them.  Tonight, the Brooklyn quartet tore through a set of melodic but hard driving rock where melody and dissonance sometimes nearly dovetail.  Rooted in heavy guitars and a ferocious rhythm section, their songs are emotional, aggressive, yet can reveal little hints of noise and straight punk within the sonic inferno.  While I admit I wasn’t all that familiar with their material, MOOB”s power and energy got me interested in them.  This band has me wondering what they’ll become down the damaged road.  I will see this band again and I hope you can check ‘em out soon.

     After the show I hung out and talked briefly with the band.  While the night was good, it was also draining and I was exhausted.  So, I left a little earlier than I had planned to.  Oh well, things happen. 

-          Boone.