Kayo Dot with the Autokinoton November 5, 2004

Avant-garde metal band Kayo Dot (on John Zorn's Tzadik Records): an eight-piece experimental group performing music that integrates modern classical composition with the guitar layers and vocals more common to rock and metal. A vast array of instrumentation including four guitars, upright and electric bass, violin, vocals, euphonium, trumpet and drums, as well as live sound samples.

The Autokinoton (Greek for ?self-motivating) hails from Denver, CO and is ?the? band to watch out for this year. The dual guitar assault and rapid-fire bass builds a carefully chaotic harmony beneath the throat tearing gasps of the vocalist. Since comparison is skepticism's bedfellow, imagine Converge and Neurosis locked in a Muay Thai, glass fisted death match while all of heavens angels weep and the fires of hell boil the sea. Imagine a hand held nuclear bomb encased in a glass bubble, you get to push the button and it detonates with the sound and fury inherent in its atomic make up, but it does nothing to you but inspire long winded metaphors about bands you think everyone should listen to or at least experience.