Concert preview: Rodrigo Y Gabriela at the House of Blues (October 19)

by Justin Press of Justin Press: Dallas Rock Music Examiner

Rodrigo Y Gabriela

DALLAS — With an absolutely blazing new album, 11:11, (a homage to musicians who’ve inspired them along the way, from Hendrix to Dimebag Darrell), Latin flamenco metal heads Rodrigo Y Gabriela (playing Monday, October 19 at the House of Blues) are the world’s best tandem guitarists. Yes, better than all of the duos you can think of currently shredding together (Tipton/Downing, Hetfield/Hammett, Murray/Smith). Their music and performances are more spiritual than showman-like, as they blaze trails up and down their fret boards, with the only percussion resonating from their acoustic guitar backs and foot stomping. These former metal musicians took all the power of their former genre and have released it into the wilds. Their debut featured the demon exorcising “Diablo Rojo” that was a showstopper on many a late night show in 2007-2008. Their latest release follows suit and hammers away on the nylon strings with such prowess, it's like Andres Segovia on a crash course with Michael Schenker.

Having transplanted themselves to Ireland makes them even a more interesting story because their bulldozing mariachi sound feels like the hot winds of the Baja knocking you back ten feet. “Hanuman,” the opener for 11:11, is pure bullfight rage, while “Buster Voodoo” is a funkier version of the Ben Harper sound, and not to be outdone by the kings of all things metal, Metallica, their version of “Orion” from their s/t debut takes the track into cosmic areas the four horsemen could never fathom.

Much like their cello-related brethren in Apocalyptica, Rodrigo Y Gabriela have taken their understanding of all things heavy and made them even heavier by taking the power and fury to a more delicate place, where darkness turns to shadows. A show not to be missed.