Alesana, The Chariot & Guests :
SOMA San Diego
April 6th 2008

First, thanks goes out to Soma’s lovely Christina for helping to troubleshoot a minor situation before entering the venue.   Upon entering Soma’s side stage there were plenty of concertgoers mixing and mingling, buying merchandise, and sitting on the floor.  Yes, sitting – during a few of the performances no less..

The post hardcore/screamo scene has lost its edge, proven by the crowd - those attending Alesana’s headlining show coughed up $13 to sit it out.  The energy onstage did not transcend into the crowd, despite jagged sharp riffs and energetic drum rolls provided by The Chariot.  The surprisingly calm crowd still had a few devoted kids showcasing their helicopter hands and flailing backward kicks, but the majority seemed serene.  The Chariot ended their set with a song of epic proportions as vocalist Josh Scogin turned his back to the crowd while eager hands reached up for his touch.

After twenty minutes, violins began to sound off and beckon the crowd.  Alesana’s set led in with quick paced drums while Shawn’s melodic voice clashed intensely with Dennis’s screamo vocals.  For having three guitarists, powerful guitar riffs were nowhere to be found.  Jeremy’s drumming drowned out the three guitars, most markedly during their performance of “Ambrosia.”  Alesana teased the crowd with an exciting new song, “The Uninvited Thirteenth”, which was thankfully faster and catchier.

As the show reached its’ end, Alesana’s set grew heavier with concentrated vocals perfectly displayed in “This Conversation is Over”.  As Alesana made their way offstage, the crowd amazingly bellowed for one more song.  They appeased their crowd of 50 or so with a return and performance finale of “Apology”.

All in all, the show fit the typical hardcore/screamo bill, but without the hard driven energy you would expect. 

-Daisy Gomez


           


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