Performing with a last minute lineup change is a daunting task for even the most seasoned bands. But if Swedish metallers Meshuggah were nervous headlining at Center Stage Tuesday night, they didn’t show it. They brought down the house after a blistering 1hr and 30 minute set and never compromised their sound once; all without a real singer.
Meshuggah frontman, Jens Kidman was felled by a practically aggressive flu the day before the band was to arrive in Atlanta.
Rumors had already spread that the progressive metal band would simply cancel their entire set out of fear that they couldn’t replicate their sound live without their enigmatic frontman. But the band’s twitter account launched a tweet contrary to the rumors stating “…we WILL play…bring your growl Atlanta”.
Bizarrely, after opening bands Intronaut and Animals As Leaders wrapped up, stagehands were seen setting up a life-sized cardboard cutout of Kidman in the middle of the stage.
But bewilderment quickly gave way to wonder when the rest of the band “joined” the cutout on stage and launched into their song “Swarm” while Kidman’s vocal track played on cue through the speakers. Miraculously, Meshuggah synced up perfectly with the vocal track and never missed a single beat all night. From the opening note to their encore of “Dancers To A Discordant System”, the band made sure the absence of their singer wasn’t felt.
“I heard early that they might have canceled the show or went all instrumental”, a concert goer remarked. “That’s Meshuggah man. The take the bar and [expletive] raise it.”
