REZN played The Rockwell – 12/7

Chicago’s REZN topped off a heavy Tuesday night bill at Davis Square’s Rockwell last week with locals Losst, Sea and Lesser Glow.

Like many metal fans (or at least the ones who came from the indie rock pipeline, I imagine), heavy music of the stoner/doom variety served as a gateway drug for me toward the innumerable forms that lay beyond the Big Riff. But while I can still appreciate the bong-rattling low-end of Sleep and the like, I do sometimes feel as though I’ve outgrown the format – particularly when it comes to new releases. Last year’s Chaotic Divine from midwestern warriors REZN descended from the clouds as a reminder that that’s not always the case. Swirling with psychedelic atmosphere, entrancing riffage and the odd saxophone, there’s something fresh, ear-catching and all-too-rare about the foursome’s approach to familiar territory.

Last Tuesday found the band bringing the volume to Somerville’s Rockwell Theatre to headline a four-band ONCE production. The Rockwell’s cozy downstairs confines typically host comedy rather than metal, but the open floor/tiered theater seats layout was actually a nice fit for the contemplative brand of heaviness on display.

Providence post-metal trio Losst opened the night with a short but satisfying set, followed up by triumphantly sludgy workouts from Boston favorites Sea and Lesser Glow (who I also caught opening for Cave In at The Sinclair just a few days prior). I could’ve done with several more songs from REZN’s excellent closing set, but such is the nature of the four-band weeknight bill. Scroll down for a look at the whole thing below.