File this under things we're kicking ourselves for missing: a performance last night from local fantasy metal outfit Gozzard at the Blue Macaw. Now, we're sometime-metalheads over here at All Shook Down, but the attraction of this four-piece freakshow goes far beyond a mere chance to headbang. Gozzard is some massively mystic shit — costumes, ridiculous gray beards, a creation myth that would make Tolkien twitch, and hilariously earnest vocals. Just check out their own bio:
From a forgotten past, a spell is cast…
Transcending time, from a long lost era gone by, the magical minstrel
Gozzard brings the stone gargoyle Dratacus to life with his guitar.
Gozzard uses the dragonian warrior to sing his songs of wisdom and
wonder, of love won and lost, and of freedom from bondage. In the
overture, Gozzard directs Dratacus with the notes dripping from his
fingers, waking him from his solitary stone sleep. Gozzard's haunting
and powerful keyboard pedals blend and merge with the added
reinforcement from courtly bassist Sir Everingham, and the monstrous
percussionist Montez. Gozzard's dynamic sound reinforces their
captivating hard rock theatrical show, a show that can't be imagined
until it's seen.