A Place to Bury Strangers have been called “the loudest band in New York,” a title they happily embrace. Their blend of dense noise-rock has been shaking rooms and splitting ears since the early 2000s. When A Place to Bury Strangers finally released its debut LP in 2007, everyone from punks to hipsters acclaimed its raw intensity. While A Place to Bury Strangers do thrive on intensity, their sound is crafted with an obvious attention to detail. Singer/guitarist Oliver Ackermann is founder and owner of the Brooklyn guitar effects company Death By Audio, so it’s fair to say the man has a grip on making otherworldly sounds.
The latest release from A Place to Bury Strangers, 2012’s Worship, is a more melodic affair than its predecessors. Though heavy on the noise, the album lets Ackermann’s vocals really shine through. The heartfelt, Robert Smith-like lyrics on tracks such as “Fear” and “And I’m Up” are paired with dense guitar for an affecting result. Worship is the most cohesive statement of the band’s career, one that showcases both their sonic strength and knack for songwriting.
Terms like “mass of sound” and “sonic fury” are often used to describe the insanity of A Place to Bury Strangers’s live show. The band wants their concerts to be something not merely witnessed, but something experienced. They’re known to play in a cloud of smoke and vibrant lighting while abusing their guitars and amps. A Place to Bury Strangers will play The Frequency in Madison this Tuesday, November 13. While it’s quite possible you’ll hear the show from your apartment, I highly suggest you come to see the spectacle firsthand. I’d recommend earplugs.