Photo: Laal Shams
For most bands, playing live isn’t optional. It’s not only a vital part of honing musical craft; it’s also the only surefire way to grow an audience. But Bone Awl, a Bay Area outfit that made an outstanding NYC debut tonight at Fontana’s on the LES, happens to exist in the very singular realm of underground black metal. Here, mystique is everything. The less your listeners know about you, the muddier your recordings sound and the fewer copies you circulate, the more likely you are to attain cult status. Moreover, refusing to perform live can actually increase your cachet.
