LIVE REVIEW: Blind Equation @ The Majestic Theatre

Words and photos by ian hoffman

Blind Equation by Ian Hoffman

Supporting The Browning, Deadlands and The Crimson Armada, the trio known as Blind Equation ambitiously opened the show at The Majestic Theatre as the only act with neither a guitar nor a bass. The cybergrind project from Illinois only needed vocals, drums and a keytar to bring an unparalleled energy to the venue with their genre-bending sound.

With little time for fans to prepare for the onslaught of sound, Blind Equation started with “This Eternal Curse,” fittingly the first song off of their latest album A Funeral in Purgatory. The track interspersed catchy drum loops between keyboards that switched effortlessly between beautiful melodies and intense shredding.

With little time for fans to prepare for the onslaught of sound, Blind Equation started with “This Eternal Curse,” fittingly the first song off of their latest album A Funeral in Purgatory. The track interspersed catchy drum loops between keyboards that switched effortlessly between beautiful melodies and intense shredding.

The heartfelt screams from frontman James McHenry carried the remarkable start through the rest of their set, and by their sixth song they had proven what it means to be a cybergrind band with “... in purgatory” bringing heavy breakdowns and blazingly fast blast-beats.

As Chicago natives, Blind Equation is no stranger to Madison. Even though the band has played the city many times, this occasion was unlike any other — the majority of the audience was unfamiliar with them, having come to see The Browning and other acts.

Despite this, new fans were quickly won over amid the strobe lights and chaotic action. With no barrier between the stage and the floor, the crowd began to populate the front row, stopped only by the occasional circle pit forming and dissolving.

Bridging the gap between stage and floor, McHenry pointed the microphone at the eager front-row fans, letting them scream the most poignant moments of some of their favorite songs.

With undeniable talent and the confidence to bring an electronic sound into the world of hardcore and metal, Blind Equation paves a promising future for emotional yet nonetheless heavy music.