Breaching Existence - Lost Lake Lounge, Denver, CO - July 9, 2014

[Denver, CO] Virgin Exquisite was what I heard. They’re prog metal – the drama voice – big, full, and melodificul. They were so proggy the lead singer would walk off the stage in the middle of a song to go get a drink and then watch the band from the sidelines for a while. He introduced the next song as “Part 2” – at least he’s honest. They’re gloomy and slow – kind of Tool. I was disappointed when the crowd didn’t react to the lead guitarist using both hands to finger the guitar neck. If anything I kept waiting for some excitement – I really really like sludgy metal but there was something lacking – they either need a more robust sludge or to crisp up and build some climactic moments like Iron Maiden. It was their first show and I never would have guessed it - the boys done good. I’d never been to this venue before – I enjoyed the hipster/Ryan Gosling bartender with the tag of his little beach shirt ripped out violently – I was disappointed they used one of their stages as a staging ground for equipment instead of having the bands set up on alternate stages for a faster turnaround – I rolled my eyes at the hipster next to me in tattoos and a Jimmy Buffet sunhat who annoyed Gosling by being all coy with his order “I’ll have tequila please” “What kind?” “Ohhhh, how about silver? And a beer… an American beer…” “What kind of American beer?” (photo courtesy of http://www.westword.com/event/breaching-existence-7496809)