Review: Mono w/ The Twilight Sad

Japanese post-rock band, Mono made their way to Madison last night for an intense instrumental performance.  Mono’s sound is characterized by the lead and rhythm guitars of Goto and Yoda respectively, both of whom make extensive use of reverb, distortion and delay. They manage to create an atmosphere of transcendent energy in their dynamics. Mono’s latest release is titled, Hymn to the Immortal Wind, check it out.

Scotland’s The Twilight Sad opened the show for the evening.  Vocalist James Graham call their sound,  “folk with layers of noise,” as they are based on experiences that have happened to them, around their hometowns or people they know.  I was astonished by Andy MacFarlane’s skillful, effect driven guitar work. It seemed to create a wall of sound textures and act as a backdrop for Graham’s poignant lyrics and emotional delivery. Check out The Twilight Sad’s latest album, Forget The Night Ahead.