Isis, Jesu and Zozobra 04-08-07 Henry Fonda Theater Los Angeles

Holy cattlesnakes! This was a mind-blowing show. I haven’t seen a line-up this awesome since…well, ok, a couple months ago (Damien Rice and the Swell Season).

I got to the venue as early as I could so my son and I could get balcony seats. The floor is all open, but the balcony has seats, and a good view. We got second row. I saved a couple seats for Mike D (who comments here) and his friend as well.

It’s just so rare in L.A. to attend a show and be blown away by an opening band. Zozobra were a welcome change from what you usually get around here in opening bands. I’m not sure how to describe them exactly. Like Isis, only not pretty. More metal. More noise. Two guitarists who would take turns “making random noises,” is how my son put it. Feedback, etc. The singer screamed most of the vocals, but occasionally he’d sing normally, and sometimes the two guitarists would join him in singing. I was dying to get a CD but they were out of them by the time I made it to the merch table.

Isis is one of my favorite live bands, but I think I was more excited to see Jesu than Isis this night. I was surprised by a couple of things: the singer is tall, and he’s British. I had no idea. He’s also Justin Broaderick, main guy from the industrial rock band, Godflesh. Jesu (which I finally figured out is pronounced “hey-zu”) are different. They’re more shoegazey. Softer. There’s something about their songs that is very uplifting. Yet melancholic at the same time. They put on a great set and even did the song I most wanted to hear, “Silver.” Justin seemed very appreciative of the audience and the other bands on the bill. I hope they come back soon as headliners. Did I mention the drummer was amazing?

I haven’t really listened to the new Isis album very much (In the Absense of Truth), but all that changes today. (Been listening to it all afternoon.) The new material is outstanding live. They crush. They destroy. And they do it so beautifully. And on this new album some of the vocals are actually sung, rather than yelled.

What has always appealed to me most about Isis, besides the way their songs ebb and flow and build to magnificent pummeling crescendos, is how the music can be so beautiful, and the singing so harsh. It’s the juxtaposition of the two. And now the new album has normally sung vocals…which makes the contrast that much more apparent.

I wish they’d move to LA and play here all the time. Oh wait, they did, and they do. This was my fourth time seeing them. Cannot wait for the next.