Thursday 06/10/06 Comets On Fire @ ICA, London

On an autumn Thursday night Gigwise plods our way along to the ICA on London's The Mall to watch a band rarely seen on this side of the Atlantic. Comets on Fire are over in the UK promoting their latest record 'Avatar', their second on legendary record label Sub Pop. It's more varied and down to earth than 2004's 'Blue Cathedral', but doesn't lose touch with their psychedlia sensibilities.

So, to the gig. Comets on Fire mosey onstage under shadow of deep blue light and a cacophony of feedback. When they do finally strike up (after a short delay), the resulting noise is absolutely huge. Sort of what we imagine the gates of hell to sound like when they open. Vocalist Ethan Miller has been
taking styling tips from Mike Love, complete with grizzly beard and floppy hair, and attacks his guitar with venom. His singing style is similar to Free's Paul Rodgers, and every bit as powerful.

But it's the rhythm section that really impresses. Drummer Utrillo Kushner is simply the best and most intense drummer Gigwise has seen since Jon Theodore, to the point where it does actually sound like there are two drummers onstage (there aren't). This coupled with Ben Flashman's bass, gives the rest of the band a real platform to dip in and out of the songs with varied guitar parts and vocals.

Echoplex-wielding sound manipulator Noel von Harmonson could have walked straight off of the Free tourbus in 1970, and shakes his head throughout the set, hair everywhere. His noises doesn't translate so well in this venue, as the sound mix isn't completely right, and he motions to the soundman between songs to try and address it. This doesn't affect his enthusiasm though, and during each song he is energetic almost to the point of injury.

They play for what seems like an eternity, and the tone and intensity never really wavers throughout. This is a full on sonic assault, and every single one of Gigwise's senses feels drained after this performance. We leave with our ears bleeding and a dopey grin firmly fixed on our face. It sounded like Hell. And the Devil's still got all the best tunes.