Illinois quartet Pelican slather their instrumental metal with layers of atmospherics. The group's powerful soundscapes inspire listeners to pump their fists in the air even as no vocals beckon for such an action. Comparisons with now-defunct post-metal pioneers Isis have followed Pelican throughout their decade-plus career, but they are very worthy of standing proud on their own. Brooklyn trio Tombs cut a more brutish figure. Whether you lean toward downtuned sludge or caustic black-metal mayhem, Tombs have you covered – with a little Goth rock and Swedish death 'n' roll thrown in for good measure – on new album Savage Gold. In an era when so many bands are having trouble truly mastering one sound, Tombs are chameleons who inspire inferiority complexes with their mastery of multiple metallic noises.

Fri., June 13, 8 p.m., 2014
(Expired: 06/13/14)

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