PUSCIFER / MOODIE BLACK 6.28.2022

Jul 5

Photos and Words By Maria A. Mata

Experimental rock band Puscifer took over House of Blues on the Boston stop of their Existential Reckoning Tour. A long line of fans slowly packed the venue, looking forward to an evening that would be anything but predictable.

The night would start off with some noise rap from Moodie Black. Handpicked by Puscifer’s Maynard James Keenan to join the tour, the band both intrigued and excited the crowd, with an almost industrial sound. All covered in bright red lights, Moodie Black delivered a short but furious set.

It was time for Puscifer to take the stage, but not without an important message from Keenan, as agent-in-training Dick Merkin, making sure to remind the audience to put away their phones, or else. Following the secret agent theme, plenty of fans showed up in the same suit and tie attire, some even wearing sunglasses. The band focused on their latest release, Existential Reckoning, playing it in its entirety, alongside other tracks like “Man Overboard” and “Indigo Children”. Fans would also enjoy another appearance from Agent Merkin, as he discussed conspiracy theories in length, in line with the new album’s theme.

The energy of the show was pleasantly bizarre, from the electropop background music in between sets, to menacing agents with infant-like features, Puscifer delivered a striking performance for fans to fully enjoy, up until the very end, when Keenan would let the audience take out their phones and record the closing track, “Bedlamite”. It’s an experience that demands your full presence, make sure to catch Puscifer on the final lap of their US tour.

PUSCIFER