RORSCHACH TEST brought industrial sound to intimate Phoenix venue

Rorschach Test frontman James Baker performing at The Rebel Lounge in Phoenix, AZ on January 26, 2025. Photographed by Dwight Patao.

Last January 26th was an unforgettable night of experimental and industrial music as RORSCHACH TEST headlined a powerhouse performance, with TORSO and THERE IS NO US opening at the Rebel Lounge in Phoenix, Arizona. A small and intimate show full of intensity and passion, it was a testament to the raw power of alternative and post-hardcore music.

Kicking things off was TORSO, a trio that quickly set the stage for the evening's energy. Their music is a mixture of noise rock and punk, opening the night to bring the intensity early on. The band's aggressive sound and undeniable energy immediately brought the audience into a world where melody was secondary to raw emotional force. The driving rhythms, unpredictable song structures, and feedback-laden guitar lines created an atmosphere to set the stage for the main acts.

Next up was THERE IS NO US, whose music has post-metal influences blended with elements of experimental rock. The band’s set was a sonic journey, taking the audience to a new experience of rock music while unleashing moments of brutal dissonance. Their performance was tight, and the chemistry between the band members was obvious with songs that veered from heavy, distorted sections to moments of delicate vulnerability, THERE IS NO US showed us that their ability to make the audience feel as though they were experiencing something personal and intimate is one of the reasons why we should watch them live.

Finally, the night culminated with RORSCHACH TEST, who took the audience to the outer limits of what post-hardcore and industrial music can accomplish. Their chaotic blend of sharp, jagged riffs, rapid time signature changes, and abrasive music was a masterpiece. Though they had a technical issue in the middle of their set because JAMES BAKER–the band's frontman–spilled water all over his midi keyboard, it never stopped them from performing their best.

The band's frontman in particular was a sight to behold, as he constantly shifted between introspective moments and full-throttle vocal range, with his energy matching the tempo of the music. Each song seemed to build towards a climactic release of emotion, with the audience being taken on a rollercoaster of sound. They brought THE NARCOLEPTIC GODDESS out in the middle of the set to sing some of their songs together. They demonstrated that true power doesn't always lie in the loudest moment, but rather in the tension between chaos and clarity.