Melvins/Big Business/Porn - 01.10.08

Almost 25 years on yet only now approaching their ‘goldern era’, one can’t help but think that Melvins had this planned all along.  Two new lps in two years (sitting very comfortably on a par with any previous masterworks), teaming up with Big Business, curating this years ‘Nightmare Before Christmas’, next years mammoth anniversary tour and a merciless live show that that cements their Royalty status on the metal throne.
Tonight, all three bands mingle and merge into one-another’s live set starting with Porn’s wrath of metal-psychedelia catering as the perfect appetiser.  Through a blistering 35 minutes two thrashed out riffs, drenched in hellish lashing reverberated effects pinball from the Rescue Rooms walls igniting upon impact.  Mainman Tim Moss’ sadistic smile signals no remorse leaving even Dale Crover struggling to keep up safely shielded behind his drum kit.  The spiralling sound eventually dies down proving a perfect warm-up for the noise to come.
Never one to appear as mere coattail riders Big Business not only prove themselves as very much their own band, but also one that constantly strives for new territory within the rock realm despite the core of their signature sound built from just a duo. 
Clearly itching to record the follow up to last years incredible ‘Here Come the Waterworks’, new material is displayed in spades along side familiar wreckages ‘Start Your Digging’ and  ‘Grounds For Divorce’. New tune ‘the Drift‘ slowly slashes and stabs to a grinding holt before building to the Business-as-usual bomb-blast of sonic catharsis.
As Melvins final assemblage is completed with Buzz Osbourne taking the stage, everything suddenly shifts into action.  The four members chemistry technically electrifies as an almost effortless display of menacing showmanship naturally exhibits how primary exemplars of rock music should be. 
The kinship works between Coady Willis and Dale and their astonishing drum-sync spectacle bordering on telepathy, whilst the bloated bellows of Jared Warren and Buzz share the perfect vocal coalesce.
Two decades worth of material is harshly condensed into a 95 minute spectacle mixing the classics in amongst the more recent.
‘Boris’ still scowls with ravage frenzy snarling side by side with current rapid granite-attacks ‘Dog Island’ and ‘the Smiling Cobra’.
A boisterous rendition of ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ pauses proceedings temporally, not only embracing the bands surrealist views, but also to remind us who is in control.
‘Honey Bucket’ fires out after, as it chugs, tugs and chews directly through the rock rulebook, a swarm of jagged riffs and tornados of skin pounding drums.
There may be another 25 years left in them yet, but right now Melvins are as relevant and exciting as they, and any of there contempories, have ever been.  Miss them at your peril.