Baroness is an intense mix of art/sludge/alternative/progressive metal that started in 2003 while the band was in Savannah, Georgia. John Dyer Baizley (lead vocals, band artist, and rhythm guitar) is the genius behind all of their artwork, and let me tell you that it only gets better. Check out his website aperfectmonster and get lost in his all of his phenomenal artwork. If you have followed Concerthopper (or my work for that matter) you may remember a review of Baroness when they played a tiny club in the East Atlanta village named The Earl. Not only did I discuss the show but I also lent a little back story to the band that included a near fatal wreck while they were on tour in Europe during 2012. John Dyer Baizley described what happened to Spin reporter, Chris Martins:

“The guard rail and the 20 or 30 trees we ploughed through snapped like matchsticks as we went fully airborne and fell down more than 30 feet off a viaduct to the ground below… There was nothing anyone on the bus could have done during our descent to avoid the crash, and no one, the local residents, the police or any of us can believe we survived the impact”[1]

Luckily, no one would die in this horrific incident, but the lives of the band would be changed forevermore. Two of the members, Allen Bickle (drums) and Matt Maggioni (bass), would leave the band after the crash. They would be replaced with the current members: Nick Jost (bass) and Sebastian Thomson (drums). Gina Gleason (lead guitar/backing vocals) rounds out the current lineup with the recent amicable departure of Pete Adams (lead guitar/backing vocals).

Since this horrific accident, the band has gone on to release two remarkable LPs: Purple and Gold & Grey. In total, they have released five (5) LPs including Red, Blue, and Yellow & Green. And speaking of the Gold & Grey LP, they are currently touring North America in support of it beginning on August 4th (Baton Rouge) and concluding August 17th (Baltimore). So Atlanta should feel really lucky to have gotten this tour on the second night! Not going to lie, Baroness is one of my favorite live bands, hands down. They always put on 110% when they take the stage and they expect the same from each member of the crowd. Follow this link to see if they are coming near you on The Gold & Grey Tour. Also, follow this link if you want to give Baroness a listen over on their Official Soundcloud page.

Set list 08/05/2019 Buckhead Theatre (Atlanta)

1. Morningstar

2. March to the Sea

3. A Horse Called Golgotha

4. Seasons

5. Green Theme

6. Cold-Blooded Angels

7. If I Have to Wake Up (Would You Stop the Rain?)

8. Tourniquet

9. Can Oscura

10. Borderlines

11. Eula

12. Shock Me

Encore

1. Ogeechee Hymnal

2. Isak

3. Take My Bones Away

War on Women opened up for Baroness during this leg of The Gold & Grey Tour. Founded in 2010, this feminist hardcore punk/rock/thrash/metal band hails from Baltimore, Maryland, and let me tell you that this band is definitely on the rise in 2019! Members of the War on Women are Jennifer Vito, Ben Jones, Shawna Potter, Dave Cavalier, Brooks Harlan, and Suzanne Werner. War on Women have released two (2) LPs: Capture the Flag and War on Women, their debut EP: Improvised Weapons, and a live EP: Live From Magpie Cage (Acoustic). I highly recommend you check this band out live if you have the opportunity in the near future. You will not be disappointed. Check out War on Women’s Official Bandcamp page and listen to their latest LP, Capture the Flag, today! Also, I urge you to check out Shawna Potter’s book, Making Spaces Safer, at your local book store or Amazon.

Set list 08/05/2019 Buckhead Theatre (Atlanta)

1. Capture the Flag