The Makai, One in the Chamber, Iskra & Lenore

To the faint of heart, or even to those whose local scene interests fit more snugly into the confines of the many club shows and nü-metal / radio-sponsored area concerts, approaching a show at Hell House may seem like a testament to how scene you really are. It's dark. There are various crust-core punk rock flyers from yesteryear from bands and venues you've never heard of. The clientele can sometimes be a bit scary, especially when coupled with pit bulls sporting spike collars and a knack for pissing right next to you as you wait for bands to begin playing. However, if you can get over it and realize you're not at a house party but rather a hub for über-undergound punk, hardcore and metal, hopefully you can wash away the fears and enjoy these sub-genres being played at incredibly high volumes and at invariably close range.
Tuesday's highly touted metal bill at that old house on Warner St. began with a performance by Chico's Lenore. I can say this with unrivaled confidence because someone collecting band donations told me this as I strolled up the street, and as Lenore simultaneously struck their last chord. I'm sorry Lenore, perhaps we can work it out some other time. For now, we are just going in different directions. Don't be upset.
Around 40 rock 'n' rollers, punks and crusts milled about outside the house, braving the chill and sipping 40 ouncers while Iskra set up their equipment inside where the dining room would normally be, but what would become a soapbox of sorts for this Canadian metal quartet. After an uncomfortable moment (either from the mustiness of the house, or the silence as the group discussed their set list), Iskra's lead howler proceeded to relate some kind of diatribe equating the United States and Canada's comparable governmental deviousness, which for the most part fell on deaf ears, or as one crowd member lamented, "Man, what a downer." After the political stances were sorted out, the band opened up with a bass-heavy tune but quickly withdrew after equipment problems. The malfunction was quickly tended to and Iskra busted into a furious set of political hardcore nonsense, the nonsensical part being the audibility of the vocals. Sure they were screaming, but I'm not big on vocalists being drowned out. Between each song, another band member would explain what the song was about, which usually had to do with anarchy, being pissed and hating America. However, preaching aside, Iskra harnessed an apt portrayal of independent hardcore rock and all in all played a good set.
After I talked outside with some of my cohorts for about 45 minutes and checked my watch an ungodly amount of times, One in the Chamber finally began their set. The trio raged through roughly three songs in about 45 minutes, evading a fast-paced chord race and instead slowly forging through gaping, low-end metal debauchery. The group held not only the most attention of the night, but also the most technical prowess.
The cops probably didn't get the fact that the motley crews looming at midnight on Warner St. were attending a show. Their fear took on the form of shutting the night down before The Makai had a chance to play, thus provoking my departure. Don't fear the Hell House.

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