Russian Circles, Pelican [outside]

Repping Chicago as loudly as possible, Russian Circles’ instrumental mathcore and opening act Pelican’s speechless stoner rock blast big waves. RC have been redefining power trio post-metal for 20 years, with shifting time signatures and set ’em up/knock ’em down dynamics. Approaching a quarter of a century of existence, Pelican’s doom prog similarly rewrote the rules for riff-happy stoner metal. Both bands favor multifaceted compositions and otherworldly atmospheres, as evidenced by the recent vinyl catalog reissues that will no doubt fill their merch tables. (Pelican also has a new LP coming.) Dive deep into this luscious pool of art grunge. – Michael Toland