Baroness

While touring following their 2012 release Yellow & Green, the band's bus careened off the road and into the woods outside of Bath, England. Suffering severe injuries, two band members made the decision to leave the band. Front man John Baizley chose to continue the band's touring presence after seven months following a letter addressed to his fans stating he would continue, "till the wheels fall off." Brandishing his scars and burns on both arms in triumph, he forever cemented his devotion for Baroness and his fans.
That display of passion is not found often these days, and it is certainly reflected in their performances. Seeing this band live in venue sizes that span the gambit, their shows always provide the same indomitable energy. Even on a Sunday night at the Lexington, VA natives drew a crowd that was dripping with anticipation. Amongst their performances of "Yellow & Green," ranked 6th Top Hard Rock Album in 2013, and past masterpieces, you could sense the deep respect amongst the fans for the band's perseverance in their craft. It adds another element to their shows, a certain deeply rooted belief in the true value of their music.
We were there for a reason. Not only to see Baroness, but to witness a phenomenon. Opening with "Take My Bones Away" and "March To The Sea," their sound almost itched for the luxury of a larger space. They carried us on a sonic journey, guiding us through sweeter melodies with a tang of grit, all the way to a heavier, thumping, and simply powerful encore. This band persists to follow their passion of live performance, and the crowd acknowledged that in the most genuine of ways. It is a truly special experience to see Baroness live when their performance is placed in the context of the bands eventful past.