Despite the storm of critical praise for its 2012 doom debut Sorrow and Extinction, Pallbearer turned in a lackluster set at its Fun Fun Fun Fest christening that year. The Arkansas quartet returned Friday with equal acclaim for its mighty ‘n’ melodic follow-up, Foundations of Burden. That translated into shivers of anticipation at the Black stage.
For a group on the verge, it took the stage with no fanfare. Bandmembers set up their own instruments, then went straight from mic check to feedback thrum that served as a bridge between the two. Singer Brett Campbell kicked off the riff to “Worlds Apart,” opening track to Foundations, and Pallbearer’s sonic confidence asserted itself immediately.
These four have their vision down cold: Devin Holt provided deep grunge power chords through which Campbell’s flanged leads sliced, while bassist Joseph D. Rowland and drummer Mark Lierly kept the bottom roiling even as tempos crawled. Campbell’s keening voice flew over it all, giving the monstrous waves of doom an accessibility rare for music this heavy. “The Ghost I Used to Be” transcended; with its memorable melody, resigned lyrics, and casual flow between chugging crunge and sparse quiet, it may be the ultimate Pallbearer song.
Closing nine-minute powerhouse “Foreigner” soared on Campbell’s solo and a midsection that hinted at uplift before returning to minor key crush. Ending on a scream of feedback, fist pump, and thunderous applause, Pallbearer demonstrated how refreshing a wheelbarrow of mournful doom can be on a sunny afternoon.
Check out our complete Fun Fun Fun Fest coverage.
This article appears in November 7 • 2014.
