COMA Music Magazine

Assemblage 23 Meta Tour - September 30th, 2007 - Club Firestone - Orlando, FL
Frightdoll, FGFC820 and Assemblage 23

Consider it proof that the scene is thriving.

Those that can't appreciate the energies spent for everyone's enjoyment can whine all they want but a :Destruktive: Productions event like the one held at Club Firestone in Orlando showcasing the great talents Assemblage 23, FGFC820 and Frightdoll is bound to shut them up. If not, we can count on unleashing the highly intimidating Rexx Arkana of FGFC820 who said it best when he bellowed out to the haters a very grandiose and personal "FUCK YOU!" Don't we know better to bite the hand that feeds the soul?

Having walked in a little after the industrial show started (guided by hunches and a few too many bad directions, you tend to get lost), I was welcomed into a sea of black and the sirenic sound of Frightdoll. Exuding a sweet sensuality, the allure of her voice is mesmerizing as she delivers beautifully crafted songs like "Strange" and "Marionette". Relentless vocals with ethereal snippets of sound, the songs evoke a certain duality in women as both femme fatale and nurturer. As she purrs to a suspended mic that synthesizes her lascivious sound, a girl can't help but stare bewildered. I think I found a new girlcrush in Frightdoll! (Sorry, Dahlia.)This lady kicks ass and in a male-dominated industry, she is a rare find lending a fierce but melodious softer touch. Despite the tough exterior, she is playful as conveyed in the song "Crash" inspired by her computer dying every twenty minutes. I'm sure it's easy to relate to this frustrating situation. Her music deals with "our interaction with technology and the search for a sense of self in a medium that blurs the distinction between our minds and digital processes." Her lyrics are influenced by the search for meaning and existence. Here's hoping that she persists in her art and inspire more women to voice a different perspective, allowing a greater understanding of our varied experience.

The next offering injected the audience with a jolt of invigorating aggression. My ears were assaulted with an arsenal of violent beats enough to incite a reaction and inspire the mass to a stomping spree. Proactive in engaging an army in the service of a cause, FGFC820 lashes out on stage and ressurects the thump. Ferocious and unforgiving, the thrashing and infectious beat driven music grabbed the audience by the throat with such songs as "Pray" and "Martyrdom." Pro-military and anti-government, FGFC820 rallies the crowd to employ their intellects, and "stand up for what you believe." The duo Rexx Arkana and Dracos advocate for changes that serve a greater purpose. I might be a peace-loving, tree-hugging, hippie freak but even they got through to me and awakened my mindless compulsive drive to dance especially when they finished off with the addictive song "G.B.A." Hypnotic, dark and complex, the set left me to feel as if I've been converted and enlisted as a soldier, momentarily at least.

The opening acts were quick to disseassemble, helping to create momentum. Anxious anticipation was instantly gratified as Assemblage 23 took to the stage and transported the audience to a visceral experience. The brainchild of musical genius Tom Shears, the songs seem to me as conceived and sublimely born in pain. A poet and painter in sound, he renders thoughts with a clearness and definite incision. Honest and gripping, I was moved by the music and looking around and feeling the empathic air during "Damaged" I was not alone. The songs run along darker themes like anger, isolation, and weak faith that falters insecure but at that moment there was a sense of belonging in our combined understanding. Profound and penetrating, this is powerful music able to illicit a strong response and strike a chord within. Personally, the effect was hard to shake off but with the supposed love song "Let Me Be Your Armor" my spirit was elevated and the urge to move could not be sustained. In the set, we were treated to "Surface", "Coward", "Raw" and a Ministry cover to boot. Engaging the audience with raw energy and a dynamic performance, the emotional experience left me greedy and wanting more but still fulfilled. To think I could have missed all this.

Visit the bands official websites: Frightdoll | FGFC820 | Assemblage 23

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