Crucible is known for hosting various kink, burlesque, and other non-live music events, but they also bring in some very interesting bands. Recently Voivod played there and I went with a friend of mine who took very little convincing. He was, after all, the person who introduced them to me back in the early 90s.
It had been a long time since I had been surrounded by so many people donning blue denim jackets covered in patches. While at the bar I ran into a woman who is an acquaintance of mine. I had no idea she was a metalhead. My companion ran into an old buddy of his from high school that used to come to our parties in college. It must have been nearly 35 years since I'd seen him. He proved to be a metal fan of epic proportions and was there with a friend of his and we all stuck together for the show. Well, mostly.
They were kids in their 20s playing good old school metal. Melodic riffs and headbanging tempos. A lot of fun for us and I think a lot of fun for them too as they seemed to feel like, "Holy crap, we're opening for Voivod!"
Bat from Virigina were next. A bit older, they were more thrash and got the mosh pit going.
Their bass player reminded me of a friend from high school and I had a mild 1980s flashback. (I hope you're well, Jeremy.)
Finally it was time for Voivod.
I am not the biggest fan and only know tunes from Nothingface and Dimension Hatröss but they were awesome! Thrash weaved together with progressive metal as people moshed and bodies were passed. It was glorious!
It was my first time at Crucible and it proved to be a very intimate space for a show. The sound was good and there really wasn't a spot where you couldn't get a good glimpse of the stage. It had been years since I'd been to a metal show and, despite having advanced into middle age, I engaged in some gentle headbanging and threw the occasional fist and devil horns.
The crowd was engaged and excited; with all the moshing and body passing, the energy in the room was fantastic.
Crucible is a nice walk from my place and the beer prices were not bad at all. I hope to have a chance to return soon.
Voivod kicked ass last night! It was my first time at Crucible and it is a really nice venue. Great size to see a show, good sound, and the beer wasn't outrageously expensive. Bat and Flying Fuzz were great fun too. I got invited to go see Sepultura in Milwaukee in May!
Last week I discovered a Madison band called Golden Joining that play "eclectic progressive rock". And I did so by scanning Crucible's schedule. I told you it was a prog-friendly venue!
They played Crucible yesterday but I was not there. However, they have a gig coming up on 2 May at Gamma Ray. Check them out.
When Crucible opened back in 2019, I was fully under the impression that it was place for DJs to spin EDM and for folks to get kinky, indulge their fetishes, and enjoy burlesque. And, while it is certainly a place for all that, it also hosts non-kinky music shows.
I first noticed this only last summer when I saw that Afroman was to play there. And then a few weeks ago I saw that Chicago noise rockers The Flying Luttenbachers were scheduled to play there this month. Sadly, I was unable to attend that show last weekend due to a Covid scare. But now I see that Crucible is highly progressive rock friendly.
Random Bandcamp browsing revealed that Boston proggers OK Goodnight played there last summer (with Atlanta's Challenger Deep and Wonderful Bluffer from Milwaukee who are not prog but sound good so far) and in 2022 the instrumental prog of Minneapolis' OVRFWRD graced the Crucible's stage.
It's really nice to see the much-maligned genre that I adore get some love here in Madison, especially newer/indie bands. I shall be keeping an eye on their schedule from now on.
