Wednesday 30/01/08 Explosions In The Sky @ The Astoria, London

Explosions in the Sky stroll on stage as if someone put them up to this. The collective persona does not exude confidence, more like a battle of the bands who hit the big time before realisation kicked in. A band that formed after drummer Chris Hrasky put up a hand-made poster in a local record store, make a collective noise like no other. Not needing a front man to vocalise their sound, the clichéd expression of ‘the music speaks for itself’ doesn’t even begin to come close to explaining the nature of the cacophony of sound. The band have discovered other ways to explore romance, tragedy and that incredible loud/quiet sound that only Fugazi have quite mastered. Comparisons with State locals ...Trail of Dead and Lift to Experience are obvious, but. Live especially, Explosions in the Sky manage to dig dipper into the unique Texan genre, and create something altogether different.

A bare stage with sole Texas flag tacked onto a battered looking amp, demonstrates the patriotism that somehow only residents of the same bizarre state as George Dudya, can muster without sarcasm. Or maybe this is a hugely sarcastic offering to the crowd, who knows? We certainly don’t learn any more about the personalities surrounding the four talented men on stage, by chit chat. The only interaction is a short prologue and epilogue of thanks. No words are needed. No introduction of song. The crowd need only hear one short bar, and know instinctively what sound shall follow.

Opening with a storming rendition of ‘Yasmin The Light’, from 2001’s ‘Those Who Tell The Truth Shall Die…’ shows exactly how they mean to go on. With no song under the six-minute barrier, tonight promises to be a post apocalyptical experience you’re going to wish you were at, like At the Drive In tearing apart the Carling Stage at the 2000 Reading Festival. Explosions delve into 2000’s debut album ‘How Strange, Innocence’ only once with ‘Remember Me As A Time Of Day,’ but the hardcore fans don’t miss a trick, and applaud until the room begins to tremble. The shaking continues as successive tracks ‘Birth And Death of the Day’ and ‘Welcome, Ghosts’ from fifth album ‘All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone’ are played as if this could be their last outing.

Personalities come forth slowly but surely. Youngest member of the band, Munaf Rayani gets completely lost during a break in play, and his hip gyrations could make a woman blush. Acting like a younger Jonny Greenwood with Alex James hair helps the cause too. Bassist Michael James’s simple head nod that gets more noticeable throughout, causes watchers to mimic his movements. Second guitarist Mark Smith is more than content with letting the others take centre stage, and drummer Chris Hrasky powers the group from the back of the stage.

The overall effect of this four-piece ensemble is one of absolute awe, as sixteen hundred people at Astoria can testify. There must be something in the water down Texas way – a State that consistently bores phenomenal sounds. And sounds are exactly what Explosions have above all others. The only thing they have. The best thing they have. So sit back, enjoy the cliché, and let the music do the talking.