Brave Dominates Atlas Brew House in DC!

Brave
August 24, 2019
Atlas Brew House
Washington, DC

Some of my all-time favorite bands rarely ever make it to Atlanta and it’s even rarer that I have the opportunity to actually travel to see them.  When one of my all time favorites, Brave, announced that they were playing in DC on August 24th, there was no way I was going to miss this show.  Since the January release of their first album in 10 years, The Calm|The Storm, I was dying to see them live once again.  Like any diehard fan of a band, I called my buddy in NC and said, “Let’s trek up to DC to see Brave!”  He ecstatically said, “Yes!” and off we went.

This was my first time seeing Brave in a few years so I was not only excited to see and hear some of the new material but I was excited see how would perform on their home turf.  The show was at Atlas Brew Works in DC and it was a very interesting setup.  A small stage was set up in the huge back room where all the huge beer brewing tanks were which made it even more metal (literally).  The sound was loud and I knew that this was going to be a metal night without a doubt.

After what seemed like forever, Brave finally took the stage to a modest but very vocal and excited crowd.  Brave kicked things off with “To Remain Unseen,” from Monuments.  This brought a hefty roar from the Brave fans that were representing loud and proud up-front.  Without missing a beat, Brave segued into “Trapped Inside” from the Searching For the Sun album and I about lost my goddamn mind.  They were so tight, so strong, and confident without being pompous, arrogant showboats like many of their peers can be.

The passion and fire in the music burned brightly as singer/keyboardist Michelle Schrotz steered us through what would be a set of calm, stormy, and dark waters.  Brave’s off the charts featured such Brave classics as “Sooner or Later” and “Hero” but it was getting to hear “Electric Ravens” and “I Will Wait” from The Calm|The Storm that were highlights for me.

“Electric Ravens” was where guitarists Matt Kozar and Scott Loose truly shined.  The way they played off each other with their own unique style of playing is something you really have to hear and see.  After hearing it for so long, it was great to see them in action in a live setting.

“I Will Wait” had the band really firing on all cylinders.  The interaction between bassist Ben Kelly and drummer Trevor Schrotz locked in a groove that was so heavy that you could feel it in your chest as it laid down a solid foundation for one of Michelle’s best vocal deliveries I’ve ever heard.  Just when I thought things couldn’t get better, Brave segued from “I Will Wait” straight into a surprise cover of the Led Zeppelin classic, Kashmir.

This absolutely brought the house down with a huge cheer from the crowd and the band nailed the song flawlessly.  What I loved so much about Brave’s rendition of this song was that not only was it spectacular but they put their own touch to it.  It fit in so perfectly in the set and it sounded like it could’ve been a Brave song.  After a few thank yous (and a nod to James and me) Brave brought things back around with “Words” which left everyone cheering, loving Brave, and wanting more.

As all of my regular readers know, I don’t just say shit to be nice.  I am unmercifully honest but I call it as I see it.  What I saw in Brave’s performance was fire, passion, and a lot of emotion.  Brave is also a band that, from my perspective, is so modest that they don’t truly see what an amazing band they are.  Their songs move me, make me smile; make me cry, and all emotions in between.  I surveyed the room throughout the night and everyone I could see seemed to be feeling the same way.  Seeing Brave live serves as a constant reminder of why I love this band so fucking much.  To hang on every note, every lyric, and every chord is something that I will never get tired of.  Brave is one of the best-kept secrets in music and they are one secret that I am sharing with the masses.

 

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