If you like your music heavy, riff-driven and moody as a sulky teenager, you may already be a fan of A Perfect Circle. The dark rock/ metal/ grunge 'supergroup' formed back in 1999 as the brainchild of guitarist and Nine Inch Nails producer Billy Howerdel and Tool singer Maynard James Keenan- one of the most influential, affecting and recognisable vocalists in rock music today. A Perfect Circle broke records for the fastest-selling debut ever with their multi-platinum 'Mer De Noms' in 2000, and the sheer clout of their musical prowess is clear from their live shows as well as on record. So much so in fact, that they have released two live DVDs, as well as selling out stadium tours all over the world.
Over the past decade or so, the band, having undergone a few line-up changes and a long hiatus, are back to touring after releasing a greatest hits album, 'Three Sixty', last year. Fans can rest easy (or mosh out in delight) knowing that they are still as powerful a live act as ever, with Maynard's cleanly haunting vocals over heavy guitar shredding as awesome as when they first began. When I saw them in 2011 at an intimate venue in Columbia, Maryland, they also changed up the arrangements of a few songs from their album versions, such as the opener 'Annihilation' and the thundercloud-worthy 'Outsider'- keeping their set fresh, original and as awesome as can be. If you manage to catch these guys live, you won't be disappointed!
Jack Johnson
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