ZaKrahe, Glasswing Provide Progressive Assurance
Young musicians find niche in niche genre
SUNDAY, JUN. 5
How would you rather spend your Sunday evening — a) dreading Monday or b) shredding in spite of it?
If you answered "b) shredding," then you'll want to be at Basement Transmissions for Dread Metal Productions' progressive metal showcase — all you need to bring with you is your air guitar and a little enthusiasm. Dually headlining will be ZaKrahe and Glasswing in support of their new EPs, MNML (2021) and Songs From the Qotile Zone (2022), respectively.
Combining ferocity and finesse on the fretboard, six-string virtuoso Zachary Krahe's (Amavasya, Moonchild, Portage) eponymous solo project is much indebted to the likes of instrumental guitar gods like Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Marty Friedman, blending in other genre references as per prog metal custom (see: Polyphia, Plini, et al). He will be joined on stage by Justin Cheuvront (Portage guitarist), Kasi Borden (Amavasya bassist), and Jake Mingoy (Amavasya drummer). Featuring melodic and nimble leads, ZaKrahe is more djentle than the djentier Amavasya.
A love of bands such as Opeth, Haken, and Periphery is evident in the sound of longtime local prog quintet Glasswing, alternating between heavier and more atmospheric sections with verve. The group, consisting of Kyle Myers (vox, synths, soundscaping), Aidan Sloppy (guitars, keys, synths, vocals), Nick Vollbrecht (guitars, synths, vox, soundscaping), Chris Fohner (bass), and Ryan Javens (drums/percussion) will draw from an already sizable portfolio of material that includes two full-length albums (2017's Univariate and 2019's The Astral Tramp) in addition to the recently released EP.
Opening for the headliners will be Erie-based alternative rock trios Lights + Letters (featuring Zach's brother Sam on guitar) and Horseback Waterpolo (who identify as "emo math rock"). Collectively, these young men are out to prove that the at-time arcane art of progressive music is in some very capable hands, and can move brains as well as bodies.
You might even forget you have to go back to work in the morning.
6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. // Basement Transmission, 145 W. 11th St. // $10 pre-sale, $12 at the door // brownpapertickets.com
