We witnessed the universe expand as Warhorses charged into the Rumpus Room on a wave of thunder at Chelsea’s Sounds and Sights.

Sounds & Sights with Warhorses

I’m not going to lie. Having some great rock bands coming out to Sounds & Sights has me looking to spend every Thursday night this June and July in Chelsea. A late addition to the awesome line-up hitting the Rumpus Room stage is the psychedelic mastery of Detroit’s Warhorses.

The weather was glorious on our last visit to Sounds & Sights to catch Ladyship Warship at the Rumpus Room outdoor stage. This week, the threat of thunder and lightning forced the Sounds & Sights team to seek indoor venues. Thankfully, many businesses and community venues were more than happy to accommodate. As the rain came down, we went inside the Rumpus Room for the show.

Rocking the Rumpus Room

If you’ve not caught a show inside the Rumpus Room, you need to fix that pronto. You can get all the fantastic food and drinks available at Jet’s and experience a killer light show in one of the most interestingly decorated venues in Michigan. One look around, and you can imagine Ken Kesey’s Merry Pranksters having some hands on the paint brushes. It is sort of surreal and looks amazing. When you add the light show, it is a trip.

Breath of Fire

It will come as no surprise that I’m a huge fan of Warhorses. Their music is a kaleidoscopic craftwork, a lucid dream, and a meditation in exaltation of what rock music can do to your soul. With two hours of playing time, I wondered just how deep the band would get into their catalog.

My question was immediately answered with the dreamy Doves-esque “Crawl” from the Song of the Month EP. Kristin’s subtle snare and cymbals coaxed the rippling shadows of guitar from EZ into the spotlight. Mike’s languid vocals swam in Nathan’s undulating bass. Warhorses kept the opening ethereal and sublime with “Terminal Station” from their first album, Flap Your Useless Wings. Like a prayer opening Shiva’s third eye, this song burns without a flame as it sets your mind ablaze. I’m telling you now; this song, live is Heaven on Earth. On top of these spectacular deep cuts, Warhorses jammed the celestial supernova called “The Death Toll is Expected to Rise” with its transfixing fascination. What a marvelous treat!

Sound of Thunder

As the laser lights winked, flashed, and spun, Warhorses injected the adrenaline with a few of my favorites from their Shadow Gold album. The throbbing “Gone” invited us all to move. The urgent need in “Killing” commanded your attention. The marching drums and hypnotic bass gripped everyone as the vocals and guitars sent shivers down the spine. Of course, the hard-charging “Sound of Thunder” nearly sent me to my knees. Along with these favorites, Warhorses splashed in the new “Do Not Forget,” which radiated with power and brilliance. I’m sure their new album will be epic.

Replikants

Along with their original music, Warhorses played a few killer covers which they recorded on their Replikant album (available on cassette for a totally old mix-tape vibe). Tunes such as “What We All Want” by Gang of Four and “Love My Way” by the Psychedelic Furs were rendered with a fiery heart. These songs shimmer with life when you hear them live.

Guiding Our Way

Sounds & Sights on Thursday Nights with Warhorses at the Rumpus Room was more than a concert; it was a journey into another world. A world where the only language is music and Warhorses are our guides. This show at the Rumpus Room was extraordinary thanks to the dazzling and surreal light show, combined with the impeccable sound provided by Mike at IQ Audio. Many thanks to the volunteers from Sounds & Sights, as well as the fabulous staff at the Rumpus Room / Jets Pizza Chelsea, for making this night even more awesome.

Pictures

Our gallery has a few more pictures of the Warhorses at Sounds & Sights. Take a look and let us know what you think.

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