Reviewed on 15th June 2006.

The Appleseed Cast

Live at Brudenell Social Club on Monday, 12th June 2006

A Swedish sauna? The surface of Mars? No, tonight ladies and gentlemen we are privy to the delights of live music in the Brudenell in mid-June. Although the boiling temperate inside the venue closely resembles that of a small Caribbean Island in summer, it isn't enough to detract the attention or staying power of a capacity crowd who are here to watch three titans of the post-rock spectrum: Leeds' very own Vessels, Sweden's Jeniferever and (making a long awaited return to British soil) Kansas' The Appleseed Cast.

Vessels are already building something of a reputation as a tour-de-force live band, and tonight their brand of electronica-laden epic-rock is big enough to fill venues three times the size. Swathes of delayed guitars and electronic bloops create some wonderful ambient textures in the vein of Explosions In The Sky and Saxon Shore, but don't be fooled that this is a one-trick post-rock pony- songs such as "The Beast" demonstrate the quartets ability to be crushingly heavy at times, as well as showing a superb grasp of dynamic structure. Benefiting from a superb sound mix, highlight of the bands set has to be closer "Look At That Cloud!", a triumphant, beautiful creation with some of the best drumming you'll ever hear.

Jeniferever seem to be something of a permanent fixture around Leeds these days, which is unusual considering the band live on the other side of Europe. However, the five piece have certainly done well at establishing a name for themselves, aptly demonstrated by the packed front rows as the young Swedes take to the stage. Last time I saw Jennifever I could have walked to Sweden and back in the time it took these sly tykes to sound check; however tonight is a much more organised and polished affair. Tonight the band's fragile arpeggiated passages of ethereal and haunting noise drag the listener in so much so that you don't realise the best part of ten minutes has gone by in the space of one song. Although lacking the dynamic attack of the other two bands on the bill tonight, Jeniferever prefer a different, more patient approach, slowly building songs and layering them to create a swirling mass of melancholy. Best song of their set is "Kap Farval" (incidentally dedicated tonight to two members of the now-defunct Next Autumn Soundtrack, who Jeniferever released a split-EP with a few years ago), which culminates in singer Kristofer slinging his guitar across stage and departing the stage.

Touring in support of latest release "Peregrine" The Appleseed Cast have been pioneering their own melodic brand of genre-swapping post-rock for well over a decade now, debuting on classic "emo" (this was when emo was a byword for imaginative underground bands kids) labels such as Deep Elm and The Militia Group. As previously mentioned, the band haven't toured in the U.K. for a number of years, and the near hysterical-reaction to some of the crowd for songs such as "Forever Longing The Golden Sunsets" and the classic (and my favourite) "Fishing The Sky". Newer tracks from Peregrine such as "February" and "Mountain Halo" are interspersed well with older songs from the albums Mare Vitalis and Low Level owl 1 and 2, in a set that sees the band come back on to a three song encore. Dreamy and charming sections intertwine themselves with powerful ballsy choruses sung with real conviction that showcase a band at the height of its powers. A fitting end to the evening, and perhaps one that demonstrates to young bands how hard work, dedication and perseverance will bring their rewards in the long run.