Review & Photos: Between The Buried And Me, Hail The Sun, Delta Sleep in Columbus, Ohio

By Neil Shumate, OOTB Publications

Long time prog-metal superstars Between The Buried And Me (BTBAM) absolutely rocked Newport Music Hall in Columbus, Ohio on Tuesday, Oct. 28.

With a fitting hazy stage and dim refracting light, the band performed non-stop with minimal banter to get through their traditionally lengthy songs from their Colors and Paralax albums, with a focus on tracks from recently released album: The Blue Nowhere. They also performed “Disease, Injury, Madness” and “House Organ.”

Every false ending, ambitious tempo change and sophisticated layered note was precise and spot on; delivered confidently by BTBAM’s imaginative instrumental prodigies and masterminds—Tommy Giles Rogers (vocals, keys), Dan Briggs (bass, keys), Paul Andrew Waggoner (guitars), Blake Richardson (drums) and touring rhythm guitarist Tristan Aumsn.

It was versatile prog-rock at its sincere finest, with some fun Frank Zappa-like acid jazz bells and whistles mixed in.

Attendees went home more than pleased after experiencing BTBAM’s intricate music and vocals—the kind that keeps you the on the edge of your seat; always plenty of surprises, never a dull moment.

Longtime hardcore co-headliners Hail The Sun—who just released their seventh studio album cut. turn. fade. back last week—blew attendees away with their energy; exceeding expectations of those who have never seen the quintet before.

The center of the stage remained clear and open as vocalist Donovan Melto often threw his mic around and occasionally tossed the entire microphone stand in the air.

Backed by an equally active band with music on the verge of At The Drive-In, Melto’s wide-ranging clean and scream vocals, at times resembling Claudio Sanchez and Anthony Green, never faulted.

Melto engaged the crowd throughout the set, introducing some songs—a police brutality protest song, a Catholic Church sexual abuse scandal song and a song dedicated to the children of Palestine (which he told the crowd is not a political issue or a left or right issue, but rather a humanity issue)—and he even went behind the drum kit for two songs; ambidextrously singing, screaming and drumming ferociously, all without losing his breath.

Melto mentioned Hail The Sun has been touring for more than 14 years and has performed in Columbus 10-20 times, with hopes of returning to the area sometime early next year.

Canterbury, England openers Delta Sun warmed the crowd up with a more mellow set, but with some satisfyingly abrasive moments.

The band’s time signature changes and catchy riffs along with Devin Yüceil’s vocals were reminiscent of Cursive, Minus The Bear and Mutemath.

With the band forming fifteen years ago, many members of the crowd were familiar with their songs; especially evident during “The Detail,” when fans sang in unison: “…if I fall through your fingers, that’s alright…”

The lengthy 38-date, six-week tour ends Oct. 30.

BTBAM (click to enlarge)