Concert Review: Converge

Converge, with Red Chord, Genghis Tron, and Baroness

Saturday, April 12

The Bottleneck

by ANDREW MILLER

Converge singer Jacob Bannon shows fans profuse gratitude, like a man thanking someone who saved his life. His stage banter, heavy with vaguely ominous references to portentous occasions as “the day I decided to stop dying and start living,” suggests that’s exactly how he views the relationship between himself and the hardcore scene, which he calls “the community.” Concertgoers might not be able to decipher Bannon’s vocals – his aggressively gruff delivery makes every shout sound like “burn” or “fuck” – but in a live setting, the content of his lyrics isn’t as important as the context: Bannon effectively communicating his passionate belief that these songs are his salvation. His intimidating appearance (shaved head, tattooed neck) only reinforces the intensity of his presentation.