July 3, 2022
Photos by Brett Zisler
Review by Nick
PUSCIFER brought their Existential Reckoning tour to the Palace Theater in St. Paul for a 4th of July holiday weekend probing. I walked in to this show with as low of expectations as possible, this was going to be my first time seeing Puscifer so I wanted to make sure anything was possible. I've always loved how Maynard's vocals complimented Carina's vocals and vice versa, excited to see how that plays out live. I prefer the "Live at Acrosanti" versions of the Existential Reckoning tracks over their studio counterparts and peeking at the setlist, I knew the full album would be played live tonight. In a way, I was disappointed I wouldn't hear my favorite tracks from the catalog but at the same time if they were playing the full album, there's a show behind it. Now on to write a review without spoiling too much of the plot...
As always, there's a no picture/video policy when you walk thru the door which in reality, makes you be in the moment and enjoy the show. PUSCIFER also made a funny intro video explaining what happens to people who don't listen and take pictures during the show. I won't spoil it for you. A very genius way to poke fun at not wanting pictures taken but be serious at the same time. The show started with "Bread and Circus" just like on the album with the band bathed in blue light standing near the back of the stage. "Postulous" came in next, the lights came on and both Maynard and Carina went to the front of the stage and stalked the entire front of the stage for the duration of the song.
This is also the most I've heard Maynard talk live and it was hilarious. "Fake Affront" came up third and instantly realized we were in for a treat for the rest of the show. "The Underwhelming" was a stand out track from the set taking on a new life live. Special agents, aliens and a twisting plot all weaved thru the tracks from Existential Reckoning before an intermission was taken and Maynard changed for the last 4 songs of the set. PUSCIFER used every bit of staging to enhance the live experience of these songs. Songs like "Theorem", "UPGrade" and "Apocalyptical" all sounded better in the live setting. Drummer Gunnar Olsen birnging the drum machine sounds of the record to life in the theater while guitarist Mat Mitchell went between samplers and guitars proving that this album could be pulled off live with only 4 musicians.
The encore came in and an old friend from Puscifer's past showed up for the last four songs as the band tore thru "Bullet Train to Iowa", "Vagina Mine", "Conditions of My Parole" and "Bedlamite" with all the cast of characters from throughout the last hour and 30 mins making appearances to wrap up the show. Whatever happened to the special agents? Guess you'll just have to come to the show to find out. I am very interested to see how Puscifer can incorporate this show with more of their back catalog to make a bigger spectucular for the next tour. I don't think this is the last you'll see of any of the characters in the Pusicfer Universe as Maynard stated there are two more releases coming from Pusicfer this year still. While you wait for PUSCIFER to tour again, see more clues when "Live at Arcosanti" will be released on Blu-Ray and CD on August 12th.
Is the Pusicfer Universe is headed to take on the complexity of the Marvel Universe? Only time will tell and I encourage you to be there to see where this goes next. These pictures only begin to tell the story that may be uncovered or maybe the clues were laid out in plain sight during the show? Overall, this was a super fun show that is well needed to break up whatever is going on in your life and really enjoy what we all were missing when this album was released - to be in the moment at a live rock show with the crowd free of distractions. I guarantee we all missed something that even repeated views of this tour might not totally reveal.
SEE MORE OF BRETT's PICTURES FROM PUSCIFER AT THE PALACE THEATER HERE!
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